Frances Evelyn “Ev” Leonard who was born in Albany, Georgia on August 5, 1924, died on July 25, 2008. Beloved wife of the late Donald Leonard and preceded in death by her son, Michael. Evelyn is survived by her daughter M. Sue Ligeros, stepson Kenny Leonard, her grandchildren, Cynthia Ligeros-McNaughton, Wendy Buckleman, and Michelle Ligeros, her great-grandson, Rowan, and her former husband, Mike Ligeros.

Services will be held on Friday, August 1, 2008 with viewing at 10:00 a.m. and memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Allnutt Estes Park Chapel, 1302 Graves Avenue, Estes Park, CO and burial at 3:00 p.m. at Loveland Burial Park.

Evelyn relocated to Estes Park in 1968 where she met Donald Leonard. Don and Ev were married in Las Vegas, NV in 1971. Evelyn truly enjoyed people and lived life with an open heart. She assisted Don in the operation of the Black Canyon Restaurant, took pride in decorating the home that Don designed and built for their life in Estes, and always encouraged her family to embrace love and to enjoy living.

Until Ev became a victim to Alzheimer she was vivacious and courageous and throughout her life she was a constant  source of emotional support to her friends and family. Evelyn was grateful for the patience and support of family and friends throughout her struggle with Alzheimer and following the death of her husband and son. Her love and light will be missed.

The life of C.J. Putnam will be celebrated during a Memorial to be held at the Estes Park home of her friends Ben and Donna MacTavish this Sunday, Aug. 3.

C.J., as she was known to all, was born Cathy Jane Nieting October 31, 1948 to Jeanne A. and the late Vernon H. Nieting in Rapid City, S.D.

She was employed by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in Cheyenne, WY holding a number of positions including local, county and state government reporter and more recently was the Features Editor for that paper. Estes Park was one of C.J.’s favorite places. Many weekends for many years she would enjoy the never ending beauty of the Big Thompson Canyon that brought her from Cheyenne to Mama Rose’s Restaurant, where she would help her friend, Donna, as a cashier and hostess.

C.J. passed away last August after a long illness. She always portrayed grace and an attitude that was positive, brave and optimistic. She is dearly missed by her friends.

C.J. is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Lora (John) Thaxton of Sherman, TX and Beth (Mark) Sneyd of San Marcos, CA, her mother Jeanne Nieting of Cheyenne, brothers Michael Nieting of Grand Island, NE, Craig Nieting of Mansfield, TX and Rick Nieting of Fort Worth, TX; four grandchildren Jonathan Putnam (Meagan) currently serving in the United States Army stationed in New York, Catherine Putnam of Cheyenne, Brittni Sneyd of Temecula, CA and Trevor Sneyd of San Marcos, CA.

Anyone wishing to attend and celebrate the life of C.J. is welcome and asked to call Donna at 970-586-6363 for more details.

Estes Park resident John Simmons died at the Medical Center of the Rockies, Monday, July 28, 2008. He was 77 years old. John H. Simmons was born January 23, 1931 in Almena, KS. His parents were Henry and Thelma (Cline) Simmons.

John married Florence Moseley on September 23, 1967 in Wilsonville, NE. He lived in Nebraska before moving to Estes Park in 1977, where he lived full time until 1996. He has shared time since then in living in both Estes Park and Mesa, AZ. While in Estes Park he worked for Barney Graves at Graves Gas Co. which later became Ferrell Gas from 1977-1997 and Estes Park Rent-All from 1997-2007.     John attended the Community Church of the Rockies.

He is survived by his wife, Florence Simmons of Estes Park and Mesa, AZ; sons J.D. Simmons and Bruce Orvis, daughters Susan Simmons and Diana Simmons; brother Phillip Simmons; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Debbie Kinne, nephew, Terry Simmons, and grandson Jeremy Simmons.

The family held a visitation on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Allnutt Estes Park Chapel in Estes Park, CO. Cremation will take place.

Memorial contributions can be made to Estes Park Medical Center Foundation to benefit the E.P.M.C. EMT’s in care of Allnutt Estes Park Chapel. To see John’s obituary on-line and leave a message for the family see www.allnutt.com.

Estes Park News - Gary Hazelton

By: Park R-3 Supt. Linda Chapman

The renovation of our campus, thanks to our generous community’s support, is about a month from being completed. Currently the middle and high schools, along with the stadium, comprise the major projects.
At the high school, the finishing touches are being added to the student center, technology lab, athletic and concession area, restrooms, and main office area. All aspects of the high school construction are on schedule.

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To The Editor:

Our family would like to offer a deep heartfelt “Thank you” to all those people who have been there to comfort us, support us, provide meals for us, open up their homes for us, and who have simply just been there to get us through the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, and friend Tim Mayhew. There have been so many kind people, and endless thoughtful gestures, that we could not list every single one. However, we would like to mention a few.

Thank you Bo Winslow for taking care of things we did not have the strength to handle. We appreciate your compassion throughout the trying weeks and your kind words at Tim’s service. We would also like to thank Bill Smith at Allnutt Funeral Service. Bill’s assistance went beyond what was required and made the process an easier one to bear.

We appreciate the time and effort so many people spent on planning a farewell service that truly honored Tim. Thanks to The Town of Estes Park, Catering for all Occasions, and the Rodeo Committee for contributing cookies and beverages.  Thanks to Don and Cherie Gardner for contributing their horse drawn wagon; Sue Doylen for the beautiful crafted programs; Stephen Tindle, William Sitting Bull, Bruce and Chad Anderson, and Tracy Hess for their special contributions; all the Fairgrounds staff for cleaning the grounds the way Tim taught them; and to everyone who attended Tim’s service. We were grateful that so many people where able to gather and share their stories and memories of Tim.

We are truly amazed by the generous donations to the Youth Hunting and Fishing Program. This memorial fund has been established indefinitely, so children can continue to be mentored for years to come.
We all are still trying to make sense of this tragedy, and miss Tim dearly. Thanks again to all those people who took time to take care of us.

Rita Mayhew and Family

To The Editor:

I’ve never really been good at puttin’ pen to paper and like my dad would say  “Your more nervous then a long tail cat in a house full of rocking chairs” So here goes. I’m asking ANYONE and EVERYONE who has a story or adventure about Tim Mayhew to please share them with me. I know there are plenty of them out there and if you could please send them to me at 1011 Riverside Dr. in Estes Park or email to crazycora95@msn.com.

Just this last birthday in February I gave him a journal for him to start writing in so we could document all the crazy and fun stories he always either started talking about or somehow became a part of. But, thinking that we would have many, many  more years for completion I now find myself at a loss that this may truly be the end of new adventures.

I’m asking this of everyone not only for myself but for my son and daughter Gage (14 yrs.) and Jade (1yr). It breaks my heart that she will never really understand the uniqueness of just one person yet alone Tim being her grandpa. So like most of you, I could spend hours talking about my dad and I hope you continue to do so and if over time you remember something to share, my mail box will always be open.

To help everyone get started, I would like to share a story that only a few people may know about. It goes something like this.  When I was younger and still living at home my dad had given me a lasso as a gift, which I used along with a piece of wood to came up with the master plan for a friend and I to sneak out of the house to attend a party that night that I knew I was not allowed to attend. My room at the time was on the second story and the only option out was the upper window. During the day I tested and retested to make sure my plan was going to be foolproof. Then that night when everyone was sleeping we put my plan to action. WELL, here my friend was hanging onto this lasso halfway down the outside of my house when all of a sudden out jumps my dad in his underwear with arms fully extended pointing a 9 mm gun at us wondering what in the heck was going on. Let’s just say after that I never tried to sneak out of the house ever again and I’ll just leave the rest of the story out!

“PA YOU’VE MADE ME LAUGH AND YOU’VE MADE ME CRY over the years, but I just want everyone to know you will always be one of the best things that has ever happened in my life. I will always miss and love you and I’m more than proud to say I’m your daughter”

Wind Bird (Wendy Adams)

To The Editor:

Thank You Estes Park News! The friends of Becky Ramey want to thank you for all your help spreading the word about the fund to help Becky Ramey with the out-of-pocket medical expenses related to her recently diagnosed lymphoma.

The committee believes we have raised enough money to cover all of Becky’s out-of-pocket medical expenses. As of the end of business on July 23rd the total donated is $28,064.55. I am sure this would not have been possible without your help.

Becky’s progress in treatment is very encouraging. After the first three chemo treatments the tumor in her chest decreased from 12 cm to 2 cm! The Oncologist is hopeful there will be a complete cure.

Thank You!
Friends of Becky Ramey

A BIG “thank you” party for members of the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation will be held on August 30th from 4 p.m to 6 p.m. at the Estes Park Museum. Non-members who want to join the museum and come to the party need to join before that date by calling the museum.

The EPMF & F board wants to thank all those who contribute financially to the museum and who volunteer time and energy to help the board accomplish its mission of making the Estes Park Museum the premier history museum in Colorado.

Party-goers will enjoy food, wine, entertainment, door prizes, and surprise guests! During the festivities, special recognition will be given to Marty Yochum Casey, the outgoing president, and a big welcome will be extended to John Roehl, the incoming president. The board will also present the “Museum Friend of the Year” award to a surprised recipient.

The Museum Shop will be open during the party. Don’t forget, members receive a discount!
Members should mark their calendar for August 30th and plan to have a wonderful time honoring the people who make a difference in establishing our local museum as one of excellence recognized throughout the state. Full details will be included in the invitation to be mailed to members. The party is free for members. Guests of members are $20 each.

If you are not a member, but wish to become one before the party, please call the museum. The Estes Park Museum is located at 200 Fourth St. off Highway 36. Call 970-586-6256. The Museum will close August 30th at 4 p.m.