Obituaries

DAVID JAMES BARSNESS Nov. 10, 1946–March 10, 2014

David James Barsness, 67, of Los Alamos, New Mexico died suddenly Monday March 10, 2014.

He was born to the late Webster and Stella Barsness, Nov. 10, 1946 in Fairbault, MN. David is survived by one son, Eric Barsness, his wife Kelli, and two grandchildren, Kaiya and Keelan. He is also survived by his three brothers, Webster, Richard and Peter Barsness.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March15, 2014 at the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, NM.

Donations may be made to the Los Alamos Friends of the Shelter. Read More

NAOMI C. GIBSON BOWLER April 16, 1937–March 3, 2014

Naomi C. Gibson Bowler of Los Alamos, NM, left this earth to be with her Lord, on March 3, 2014. Naomi Gibson was born April 16, 1937 in Farmington, NM. She graduated from Santa Fe High school, and worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for many years.

Naomi Gibson married Albert Bowler and together they raised three children, and later adopted their grandchild. Naomi was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother to nine children.

She participated in many charities, community groups and bible studies. Those who knew Naomi called her friend. Read More

DOROTHY HOARD July 30, 1932–March 3, 2014

Dorothy Jay (Goetz) Hoard died in her home in Los Alamos on Monday, March 3 after a short illness, surrounded by loved ones. Dorothy was born to Jacob and Rosalie (Plunkitt) Goetz on July 30, 1932 in Carmel, California, the nearest community to their home above the Big Sur Coast. She was raised in nearby Salinas, and attended Salinas Union High School and the University of California at Berkeley.

Soon after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry, she married Donald Ellsworth Hoard on July 3, 1954. The couple arrived in Los Alamos in 1963 after Read More

EVERETT LEROY MELTON Sept. 15, 1935–March 3, 2014

Everett Leroy Melton, 78, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away of a lengthy illness peacefully at home with his family at his side Monday, March 3, 2014. 

Everett was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ruby Melton; grandparents, Elmore and Melia Melton, Roy and Mabel Stone; in-laws, Frank and Marie Cruikshank; nephew, Jim Black; brother-in-laws, Ray Pierce, and Bill Black. 

Everett was born September 15, 1935, and started working with Mountain States Telephone Co. in 1953 and saw four name changes ending with Quest after Read More

BONNIE REIDER Feb. 19, 2014

Bonnie Reider, 71, a resident of Chimayo, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2014 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Alice Reider of Los Alamos and by her beloved pets, Desert and Milagro.

Bonnie was a unique and exciting individual who enlivened the world with her vivacious personality. She loved children, animals and nature in all its forms. In her career as a high school counselor Bonnie influenced the lives of hundreds of students. She generously shared her gifts of spirit honesty and insight with those around her and developed Read More

DONALD T. TRUJILLO March1, 2014

Donald T. Trujillo, 74, of Rio Rancho, N.M. passed away at home Saturday, March 1, 2014 after a long battle with heart disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Josephine (Fresquez) Trujillo, of Colorado; brother, O.B. Trujillo, of Colorado; and sister, Frances Garcia, of Kansas.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat; sons, Don Jr. (Rhonda), Richard (Ann), Michael (Tammy), Steve (Lisa); daughter, Tracey Alarid (Ralph); 16 grandchildren; one great-grandson; brother, Gene Trujillo, of Colorado; beloved sister-in-law, Margie Hyman (Walt Read More

RACHEL MICHELLE BJORKLUND Aug. 9, 1984–Feb. 19, 2014

Rachel Michelle Bjorklund died in a motor vehicle accident Feb. 19, 2014 in Bloomington, Indiana. Rachel was born Aug. 9, 1984 in Hershey, Penn., the second daughter of Mark and Heidi Bjorklund. 

Her family moved to Carlisle, Pa., where she attended Bethel Nursery School and Grace Baptist Christian School until the 4^th grade. Her family subsequently moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1994. Rachel graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2003. She received an academic letter, a music letter and athletic letters. She had been active in marching Read More

HAROLD D. FERGUSON Jan. 6, 1932–Feb. 18, 2014

Harold D. Ferguson, 82, a 46-year resident of Los Alamos, died at his home Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. He suffered for several years with Parkinson’s disease. 

A mechanical engineer, Harold worked at the LAMP facility at the Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1967 until his retirement in 1990. From 1973 until 1994, he and his wife, Alta Lou, were half-owners of the Royal Crest Mobile Home Park in Los Alamos. In 1994, the Fergusons purchased and upgraded the Las Tiendias de Corrales Shopping Center in Albuquerque. They sold the shopping center in Read More

VIRGINIA DELORES DURMAJ PRENZNO Feb. 15, 2014

Virginia “Gini” Delores Durmaj Prenzno, 86, of Great Falls, Mont., passed away Feb. 15, 2014 following a brief illness.

Born and raised in Chicago, Ill., it is where she met, fell in love and married Richard Durmaj. Together, they raised a family and in 1966, moved to Los Alamos, NM where she managed a gift shop and worked as a secretary at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

In the late 70’s, they made the move to Phoenix, Ariz., to be closer to family. Following Richard’s death in 1983, she lived alone in Scottsdale, Ariz., until 1993, when she met and Read More

DOUGLAS W. FRASER Sept. 21, 1941–Feb. 15, 2014

In loving memory. Douglas Warren Fraser, 72, died in his home in the early morning of February 15, 2014, surrounded by loving family members and friends. Doug’s heart was always with the environment and the “critters.” He loved the outdoors, skiing, hiking, sailing, camping, horseback riding, and river running. He guided his own boat through the Grand Canyon four times.

Doug was born in Hackensack, NJ on September 21, 1941 to Frances Van Valkenburg and Robert T. Fraser. He spent his early years on Staten Island, later attending 12 schools in the western Read More