Donna Negus Rearick born October 11, 1943 into pioneer family of Edward and Martha Negus in Lompoc, California, ended her amazing journey in this world on August 30th, 2010.

Donna graduated from Lompoc High School in 1961. Married Charles O. Rearick in 1965 and had one son, Brandon Michael Rearick. Donna and Brandon moved to Estes Park, Colorado in August of 1980. She was a nationally certified massage and body work therapist as well as a registered polarity practitioner. Donna was such a caring person, that when she wasn’t doing massage, she was out helping in the community. For years Donna did the baking for Molly B’s restaurant in Estes Park. Donna cared so much for the people that she encountered; she would do everything that she could to help others. Whether it was cooking meals, providing clothes, stopping by to help with a task, or just to listen, Donna was there for others. She would give someone the shirt off her back, if the need presented itself. Donna was an energetic person that lived her life with that passion. When she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she did not look at it as a death sentence, but rather as an opportunity to show others that different ideas for treatment can and do work. Donna was not a believer in chemotherapy and radiation. So, she chose to take another path contradictory to conventional medicine. Donna amazed some of the conventional medical experts by enjoying her life past the finish line that they predicted with no treatment. Although Donna lived just five months past her diagnosis, she had a healthy, happy and fun life until she transitioned. She was not weak, sick or immobile from her treatment. This allowed her to spend time with the ones she loved, Brandon, Trey, Evan, Eileen, Al, Carl and all of her amazing friends.

When Donna left this world, it was in total peace and comfort surrounded by all of the people she loved.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Martha Negus, a sister, Annette Negus and a brother, Robert Negus.

She is survived by her son Brandon Rearick of Frederick, Colorado and his two sons. Trey Richard Rearick 8, and Evan Brandon Rearick 5. A brother, Carl Negus of Goleta, California, her sister Eileen Negus Brewer (Al Brewer) of Lompoc, California; Nephew J. Kris Lindegaard of Orville, California, and 4 nieces; Jennifer Retzloff (Todd Retzloff) of Red Bluff, California; Laura Holderfield (Dee Holderfield) of Red Bluff, California; Karin Granato(Gino Granato) of Milan, Italy and Kirsten Negus (Michael Primmer) of Berkley, California.

There will be a celebration of life for Donna on Tuesday September 14th at the Marina Pavilion starting at 2:30 p.m. To be followed by a reception at the Legion in Estes Park.

“I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul remembering my good friends.” ~William Shakespeare

Raymond J. Kelberer, 68, of Estes Park, passed away on August 31, 2010.

Ray was born on September 26, 1941, in Wolf Point, MT., to Raymond and Esther Kelberer. He grew up in Montana hunting, fishing and studying the accounting business. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting in Minnesota at Mankato State College. He moved to Colorado in 1974 and later earned a Master degree in Accounting from the University of Colorado. He practiced accounting in Estes Park for the last 35 years and owned his own business.

Ray leaves behind his wife, Helen Marie Kelberer, who he married on June 18, 1992, three children and three grandchildren who will remember him through our hearts and many stories.

He loved his family, his God, country, as well as all of God’s creatures. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and greatly enjoyed these activities with his dog “Dewk.” We should all aspire to live such a full and adventurous life.

All who knew him appreciated his kindness, generosity, strength and loved him. He had a caring, gracious and calm nature. He was a loyal friend, beloved husband and father and will be greatly missed by his family.

A funeral service and celebration of his life will be at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church on Friday, September 3rd at 10:00 a.m. A reception at the church will follow.

Jeanne Helen Bedinger, 92, of Greeley and formerly of Estes Park died on August 7, 2010 at Grace Pointe in Greeley.

She was born on May 11, 1918 to Ethel (Chipman) and Merrick Hipson in Lynn, Massachusetts, where she spent her early years. The family moved to Savannah, Georgia, when she was a teenager. She attended Savannah’s Armstrong Junior College and the University of Georgia, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

On June 16, 1941, one week after college graduation, Jeanne married Walton E. Bedinger, Jr. Following Mr. Bedinger’s military service in WWII, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa. In Sioux City, Mrs. Bedinger was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the Memorial and Gifts Committee, and was the chairman of the Deaconess Board. She was also a member of P.E.O. and served as president of the Travelers Club, an organization dedicated to the continuing education of its members.

In 1986, the couple moved to Estes Park, Colorado, where Jeanne had wanted to retire ever since she first became aware of the town and its spectacular setting. She was a member of the Estes Park Community Presbyterian Church and of P.E.O. Chapter GJ.

The couple moved to Greeley, Colorado, in 2001.

Jeanne always wanted to be a pilot, and she earned her private pilot’s license in 1970. She went on to earn commercial, multi-engine, flight instructor, and air transport pilot ratings. She taught many flight students and flew many charter-plane hours. At the time of her retirement, she was Chief Flight Instructor for Graham Flying Service of Sioux City.

Jeanne was an FAA Accident Prevention Counselor and served several years on the Sioux City Airport Advisory Board. She was a life member of The Ninety-Nines (The International Organization of Women Pilots) and served two terms as chairman of the Iowa Chapter.

In 1976, Jeanne and a friend entered the final All Woman Transcontinental Air Race – the famous Powder Puff Derby. Flying Mrs. Bedinger’s Piper Cherokee Arrow, they finished first among first-time racers.

Mrs. Bedinger is survived by her husband; by sons Walt (Karen) of Greeley, Colorado, and Philip (Traci) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; by daughter Kathryn McDougal (James) of Tucson, Arizona; by seven grandchildren; and by several great-grandchildren.

Inurement services at the Estes Park Community Church will be held at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to the International Women Pilots, PEO International Peace Scholarship or Kappa Alpha Foundation, Inc. in care of Allnutt, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obit, sign the guest book and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.

Wilfred Allan Schwartz was born September 23, 1923 in New York City. He was a first generation American born to Isadore Schwartz and Pauline Eisenstein who emigrated from Europe.

Will’s passion for music began early. He started playing violin at age six and enrolled in the Julliard School of Music at age 15.

He landed on Normandy Beach days after D-Day and served in a number of capacities during WWII, including infantryman/radio operator, combat MP, French interpreter for counter-intelligence and finally as bandmaster, entertaining troupes at the front and Army Rest Centers. He received a Bronze Star for distinguished service.

In 1947 he earned a master’s degree in violin performance and conducting from Julliard. After his debut recital at Carnegie Hall, Will accepted a teaching position in the Music Department at Colorado State University and moved to Fort Collins in 1949. One of his first aspirations after taking up residence in Fort Collins was to form an orchestra.

He recruited high school and college students, business people, college professors and anyone else who played an instrument, to start building what would become the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra.

For fifty years until his retirement from the symphony, Will served as a guiding force for the promotion and enjoyment of classical music and cultural arts in the Fort Collins community. Throughout his fifty year tenure, Will was totally dedicated to the professional development of the orchestra and attracting top guest artists to solo with the symphony. His influence, passion and tenacity helped establish Fort Collins as a community that valued and supported cultural arts.

Will’s talent, vision and energy were inspirational to generations of musicians who played in the orchestra and studied with him at the Music department. In addition to teaching, he spent countless hours advising and counseling students in scholastic and personal life matters and always invited stranded students to join him and his family at holidays. He regularly performed as a violinist or conducted musicians to perform for area K-12 students, rest homes and the developmentally disabled.

Will received numerous awards and honors including the CSU Community Service Award, the AT&T Silver Baton Award for Cultural Service to Colorado, and in 1997 he was named Community Builder of the Year for his service to the Fort Collins community. In addition to his many accomplishments locally, Will traveled and performed extensively throughout the world including Spain, the former Yugoslavia, Italy, Belgium, France, Mexico, Ecuador, Germany and China.

Will loved his family, friends, Brahms, babies, dogs, full moons, Colorado skies and the ocean where he grew up. He is survived by his 21 year life companion Annemarie Chenoweth of Drake, CO, his sister Claire (Lionel) Rudolph of Syracuse, NY, his daughters Lana (Ed) Higginbotham and grandsons Lon and Kyle of Marietta, GA and Lisa Schwartz of Fort Collins, and his sons Eric Schwartz of Denver and Brendan (Julia) Chenoweth, and grandchildren Chase, Drake and Abby of Drake, CO.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Will Schwartz scholarship fund at the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. A musical tribute to Will, will take place instead of a memorial service on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the University Center for the Arts in Fort Collins. See www.allnutt.com to send a message to will’s family.

On August 9, 2010, Chuck Hockenberry was reunited with his beloved wife of 64 years. E’Rena preceded him in death by three months, and while he bravely carried on without her, we know his heart was always with her.

Dad was born on February 4, 1924. His parents died when he was an adolescent, and at the age of 14 he went to live with his aunt and uncle in Greeley, Colorado, where he and E’Rena met in junior high school. Chuck enlisted in the army in 1943 and served overseas during World War II as a Chemical Warfare Technician. He was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, and upon his discharge he returned to Greeley where he married his sweetheart on March 17, 1946.

Dad graduated from the Colorado State College of Education (now UNC) in 1950 with a B.A. in business and a minor in economics. He was employed by the Gas Equipment company in WheatRidge, Colorado, where he and Mom bought their first home. Dad eventually owned the business and remained there until he retired. His family was always his first priority, and he supported all of us in a variety of endeavors. He was active in little league baseball, coaching and encouraging young boys regardless of their skill or talent. He dressed up as a cheerleader and played basketball while riding backwards on a donkey to support team spirit at our high school. He participated in many musical programs that Mom organized for local schools, hospitals and nursing homes, and he celebrated with his granddaughters’ athletic teams by providing limo rides to the Dairy Queen.

Our Dad taught us about the value of friendships and the power of having a sense of humor. Although he was significantly handicapped by strokes for the last 17 year of life, he maintained the ability to readily recall happy memories and make others smile. He made friends easily, even while in hospitals and rehab centers, and he also remained committed to many life-long friends who have been an incredible source of comfort and support to our family.

Chuck is survived by his son, Ted and his children Lyndsy Metzler (Travis) and Lexi Hockenberry, and also by her daughter, Coreen Boeding (John Grogan), and grandson Sean Grogan (Melissa) and great-grandchildren Connor and Katy Grogan. Many of his grandaughters’ friends called him “Granddad,” and he loved them all.

We will honor his life on August 13, 2010 with graveside military honors provided by the United States Army at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception and lunch. We have also scheduled a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 that morning. All events will take place at the Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery on Wadsworth and 29th Avenue in WheatRidge. The family invites you to dress in casual clothes or patriotic colors and join with us in sharing memories and our gratitude for the many ways he enriched our lives.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Chuck’s name to the Estes Park Junior Golf Program (P.O. Box 1379, Estes Park, CO. 80517).

James Shepard Bass, a life long resident of Fort Myers, and a regular visitor of Estes Park, Colorado, passed away on August 15th, 2009 at Gulf Coast Hospital, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

You are cordially invited to the “Toast to the Ghost” memorial of James Sheppard Bass. The Bass ladies would like to gather his extended Colorado family together to honor his life and memory. Sunday, August 15th, 2010, marks the one year anniversary of James’ departure from the material world. Come and celebrate the life of this unique and wonderful man. We will gather at 261 Baker Drive, Estes Park, CO at 12 p.m. We will lift our glasses and to the life and ghost of James at 1 p.m. We hope that you can make it and share your favorite stories with us. Please feel free to contact his wife, Jeannie, for anything 970-586-2037.

The youngest child of Arthur Donald and Elizabeth Louise (Miles), he graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1962. After attending college, James enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he joined the prestigious Fifth Special Forces Group, “The Green Beret,” serving as a Specialist Fourth Class in unit A254 from 1966-1969. While serving with distinction, he was awarded the Bronze Star, for Meritorious Achievement. Upon his return home, James married Jeannie Faye (Chappelle) in 1974. He had two daughters, Jennifer Louise and Jeannie Rebecca (White).  While raising his own children, he also mentored a great number young people in the community. James was a husband, father, inventor, artist, collector, philanthropist, and devoted public servant. His proudest moments included his wedding, the births of his children, his service in Vietnam, and obtaining several pioneer patents. He may best be known locally for giving out his famous peanut butter fudge, for which he received a commendation from the Fort Myers Police Department. He lived a life full of love, humor, and passion. He is survived by his loving wife, two daughters, son-in-law, sister Sidney Anne (Brinson), brothers and sisters in law, and numerous friends. Contributions can be made on his behalf to The Special Forces Warrior Foundation and the United Methodist Children’s Home.

April 16, 1919 – August 3, 2010

Anita Mae Miller Beckord of Longmont, Colorado, passed away August 3, 2010 at her Hover Village home. She was 91.

Anita was born April 16, 1919 in Havelock, Iowa, to George and Sarah Buck Miller. She grew up in nearby Rolfe, Iowa, where she graduated from high school in 1936. She had one brother, Leroy.

In her senior year of high school her piano instructor entered her in the Iowa State Piano Competition in Ames, Iowa. She earned first place honors with her performance of Chopin’s Polannaise. She was a gifted pianist and also played bass in her brother Leroy’s 1930s swing band.

In 1939 Anita took her niece to see newborn baby chickens at a local hatchery where she met George Beckord, a young entrepreneur who had moved to Rolfe in 1939.  After a brief courtship George and Anita were married in 1940 and made their home in Rolfe where they raised five children.

Over a period of 40 years, George and Anita developed their poultry business, eventually diversifying into the production of fertilized eggs for use by drug manufacturer Parke-Davis.  The fertilized eggs were used for the production of flu and measles vaccines.

Anita was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Rolfe where she played the organ and piano for over 20 years.  Even while caring for her children, her elderly father, and several aunts and uncles, Anita always found time to attend local sporting events, musical performances, and church functions. When it came to the welfare of her family, she always found a way to show her support.

The Beckord family bought land near Estes Park, Colorado in 1961 and proceeded to build a small cabin during summer vacations over a period of five years. While George was the builder, Anita and their children all pitched in while living in a tent on the property.  It was a very special time for the family. While the focus may have been on building foundations and walls, memories and bonds were being built with even more lasting value than bricks and sticks. With a sense of humor and a tireless work ethic, Anita did what came naturally: nurturing a family while helping her husband realize a lifelong dream of a home in the mountains.

After retiring from the egg business in 1979, George and Anita moved to their cabin in Estes Park where they lived until George’s health began to fail and they moved to their Hover Village Condo in Longmont. George died in 1996 after 56 years with his loving wife, Anita.

Anita knew how to laugh uncontrollably, count cards when it mattered most, and make an award-winning meatloaf enjoyed by all who had the good fortune of eating it. Anita prayed daily, played the piano beautifully, and loved unconditionally.

Anita is survived by three sons; John of Janesville, WI, Sydney and his wife Grace of Longmont, CO, Bruce and his wife Mary Lou of Boulder, CO; a daughter Sara and her husband Steve Swails of Iowa City, IA; a daughter-in-law Jean of Seattle, WA, who was married to son Donald before his passing in 1997.  Anita was also the proud grandmother of 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Friday, August 6 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Interment was held on August 7 at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens in Estes Park. Memorial Service was Saturday, August 7 at Westview Presbyterian Church in Longmont. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, or HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties or Westview Presbyterian Church and mailed to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Share condolences at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com.

Carolyn Ummel of Estes Park, died July 29, 2010 with her family at her side, at McKee Medical Center. Carolyn was born February 16, 1935 to Allen and Edith Brock in Bloomington, IL. She graduated high school, and married Willis “Bill” Ummel of Danvers, IL. June 29, 1956. During their marriage of 44 years, they lived in Estes Park twice. The last time moving to Estes Park in 2000, they joined Allenspark Community Church where Carolyn was the music and wedding coordinator and her love was music, playing the piano, organ and singing in the choir for nine years.

Carolyn’s jobs over the years including Mom, Lawyers Secretary, Human Resources Director for J.C. Penney’s. Carolyn and Bill were missionaries to various Baptist Churches in the western United States. She loved animals, especially dogs, and having survived cancer many times over the years she was very proud of the fact that she never smoked or drank.

Carolyn’s survivors include her daughter Patty Risley of Estes, her sister Audrey Borders-Tinervin of Estes, two grandsons Luke Risley of Hudson IL, and Daniel Ummel of Minnesota, step son Bruce Ummel of GA, nieces and nephews include Russell Brock and Jane Swaney of Bloomington IL, Tim Borders of Goodland KS, Julie McCue of Conifer CO, Anne Borders of Seattle, WA, Tom Breedlove of Heyworth IL, Diane Breedlove of Bloomington IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Bill one sister Dorothy Breedlove and one step son Brad Ummel.

There was a memorial service held for Carolyn, Tuesday August 3rd at the Allenspark Community Church. Private interment will be at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Allenspark Community Church or to the American Cancer Society in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave., Estes Park, CO. 80517. See www.allnutt.com to send a message to Carolyn’s family.