Obituaries

HELENE SUYDAM Aug. 3, 2020

In the early morning hours of Aug. 3, 2020, Los Alamos lost a revered resident. Helen Suydam passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 100.

Helene was born in 1919 to William Herzberg and Arilla Starkey in Philadelphia, PA. Her childhood was spent in Honolulu, San Diego, and the Panama Canal Zone as her father was transferred to different Navy assignments.

When she reached high school age, Helene attended St. Margaret’s girl’s boarding school in Virginia, and from there she went to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania for a degree in mathematics. A bout with scarlet Read More

MARILYN LAFORGE Aug. 31, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of longtime Los Alamos area resident Marilyn LaForge (Dunlop) announces her passing on August 31, 2020 at the age of 92.

The eldest of three children, she was born to Kenneth and Thelma (Dickens) LaForge in Vassar, Michigan in 1928. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Gerry and Don. Sadly, brother Don passed away just days earlier on August 26th.

Until health conditions made it impossible, Marilyn relished being in the great outdoors among the pines. She loved the Jemez mountains, spending many happy years Read More

LAURA JOHNSON MCFARLAND Oct. 27, 1934 – Aug. 7, 2020

Laura Johnson McFarland died August 7, 2020 in Pima County, Arizona.

Laura was born Laura Alice Johnson in Hartford City, Indiana, on October 27, 1934. She grew up in Hartford City and graduated from Hartford City High School as class Valedictorian in 1952. She went to Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio on scholarship.

After graduating from college, Laura took a position with AT&T in Cincinnati. In Cincinnati she met Robert (“Mac”) McFarland and they were married in May 1957 in Hartford City.

The couple moved to Canoga Park, California Read More

PATRICIA WINTER MENDIUS July 9, 1924 – Aug. 13, 2020 

Aug. 13, 2020, Patricia Winter Mendius, (“Pat”), peacefully passed away at the age of 96 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Her daughter, Louise Mendius, was by her side, while her other children were with her spiritually, but not physically, because of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Pat was born July 9, 1924 in Davenport, Iowa to Helen Dodd and Otho E. Winter. The family moved to Ashland, Wisconsin, where Pat attended the Ashland High School and attended Northland College for one year. She then moved to Los Angeles, California with her family and attended Read More

DAVID ANDREW EMIGH
Oct. 28, 1953 — Aug. 4, 2020 

David Andrew Emigh of Los Alamos, NM, was born Oct. 28, 1953. Unceasingly awed by the knowledge that we are all made of stardust, he escaped his earthly bonds Aug. 4, 2020, after a brief illness. 

David earned the rank of Eagle Scout during his years with Explorer Post 20 and graduated from Los Alamos High School where he was an athlete and played string bass in the orchestra.

After completing degrees at Arizona State University and the University of Illinois, he spent his career teaching science and history at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, Read More

STEVEN PAUL LIMBACK July 24, 1947–Aug. 14, 2020

On Friday, August 14, 2020, Steven Paul Limback’s “faith became sight” as he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Steve was born July 24, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois. He was a Godly man, dedicated to glorifying God in every aspect of his life. Everything he did in life was done “as unto the Lord.”

Steve served four years in the United States Air Force as a mechanic working on C130 Hercules airplanes. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Staff Sergeant.

On July 17, 1971 Steve married the love of his life, Karen. In 1977 Steve and Karen made Los Read More

LISA KOLLMAN Feb. 26, 1962 – Aug. 16, 2020

Lisa Kollman, of Los Alamos, NM, died at UNM Hospital on August 16, 2020 with her brother and husband at her side after experiencing a tragic fall. She was 58 years old. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Victor H. Kollman, of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

She is survived by her husband, Parks Fields; her mother, Kay Beinke Dunn; and her brother, Jay Kollman, all residents of Los Alamos; as well as her Uncle Jim and Marg of Wisconsin and her Uncle Gene and Jane Beinke of Iowa. 

Lisa was born in Waterloo, Iowa on February 26, 1962. Her parents brought her to Los Alamos Read More

ELAINE COSTELLO May 23, 1942 – Aug. 16, 2020

Elaine Costello, 78, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend died from complications from pneumonia on August 16, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe, NM.

She was born on May 23, 1942, in Daisytown, PA, and was the daughter of the late Anthony and Helen Stetcko. Elaine was raised in Richeyville, PA and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from California University of PA, and a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Utah.

After meeting her husband Michael in Salt Lake City, Utah, the couple married in 1967 and moved to Belle Vernon, Read More