Obituaries

Obituaries in La Junta Colorado and

George Creston Mitchell

George Creston Mitchell

Mar 30, 2024

George Creston Mitchell

April 7, 1945 – March 30, 2024

George Creston Mitchell, 78, of La Junta, CO passed away peacefully March 30, 2024, at his La Junta home surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 7, 1945, in Trinidad, CO to Harper & Marjorie (Shaw) Mitchell.

George was raised at the ranch near Branson Colorado. He attended school at Branson...

James Edward  Young

James Edward Young

Mar 29, 2024

James Edward Young

February 15, 1940 – March 29, 2024

James Edward Young, 84, passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado. He was born Thursday, February 15, 1940, in Ozark, Alabama to David Glenn and Anne Lucille (Metcalf) Young. Jimmy’s first job was oldest brother to Johnny and Tommy Young. He worked several jobs through high...

Donna Mae Mccleary

Donna Mae Mccleary

Mar 27, 2024

Donna Mae McCleary

July 17, 1942 - March 27, 2024

Donna Mae McCleary went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2024.

She had a wonderful life as a caring servant. Donna was the second of three daughters born to Lorin and Dorothy (Hass) Sheldon on July 17, 1942, in New London, Wisconsin.

In 1949, the family moved to Colorado and...

Joseph Michael Headley

Joseph Michael Headley

Mar 25, 2024

Joseph Michael Headley

April 8, 1971 - March 25, 2024

Joseph Michael Headley, 52, of Rocky Ford, Colorado, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at UC-Health University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. He was born Thursday, April 8, 1971, in Pueblo, Colorado to Ray & Ellen (Mosco) Headley.

To Joe, everyone was his friend, and he never met a stranger. Joe graduated...

Gary Carl Hirschler

Gary Carl Hirschler

Mar 24, 2024

Gary Carl Hirschler

June 17, 1951 – March 24, 2024

Gary Carl Hirschler was born on June 17th, 1951. He passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer, at the age of 72. He was born to Elvis Gilbert “E.G.” and Martha (Ehrlich) Hirschler in Rocky Ford, Colorado.

Gary has lived in Rocky Ford for the...

Dean Jones

Dean Jones

Mar 21, 2024

Dean Jones

April 8, 1938 – March 21, 2024

Dean Jones, 85, of La Junta, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Crowley County Nursing Care Center in Ordway, Colorado surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born Thursday, April 8, 1938, in La Junta, CO to Ralph & Audrey (Baker) Jones.

A second-generation Chevy dealer, Dean was also a passionate...

Margaret Madrid

Margaret Madrid

Mar 20, 2024

In Loving Memory of Margaret Madrid

July 21, 1950 – March 20, 2024

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Margaret Madrid, a cherished member of the La Junta community. Margaret, 73, peacefully departed this world on March 20, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family in her Lakewood home.

Born on July 21, 1950, in La Junta, Colorado, Margaret was...

Mary Julia Ramirez

Mary Julia Ramirez

Mar 10, 2024

Mary Julia Ramirez, mother to Daniel, Debora, Damon, and Diane passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Her final day was spent filled with love and surrounded by her large and loving family. Known by those close to her as Gma. Julia was born in Holly, Colorado to Bibiano and Mary Martinez.

She graduated Valedictorian at Holly High School class of...

Bonnie Sue Rufenacht

Bonnie Sue Rufenacht

Mar 4, 2024

Bonnie Sue Rufenacht

November 19, 1941 – March 4, 2024

Bonnie Sue Rufenacht, 82, of La Junta, Colorado, passed away peacefully Monday, March 4, 2024, in La Junta, with her daughter Kim at her side. She was born Wednesday, November 19, 1941, in Elkhart, Indiana to Ernest & Florence (Robison) Chokey.

It was a cold, blustery day in Elkhart, Indiana when Bonnita Sue...

Laverne Mae Flinn

Laverne Mae Flinn

Mar 2, 2024

Laverne Mae Flinn

October 19, 1926 – March 2, 2024

Laverne Mae Flinn, 97, of Pueblo, Colorado, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2024, at the Primrose Assisted Living Center in Pueblo. She was born Tuesday, October 19, 1926, in Waynoka, Oklahoma to Victor & Edith (Duncan) Bishop. Laverne married Ruchard Eugene Flinn on July 12, 1946, in La Junta, Colorado.

Laverne is survived...

Jennie Madrid

Jennie Madrid

Feb 16, 2024

Jennie Madrid

October 20, 1935 – February 16, 2024

Jennie Madrid, 88, of Rocky Ford, CO, passed away Friday, February 16, 2024, at Pioneer Health Care Center in Rocky Ford. She was born Sunday, October 20, 1935, in Rocky Ford to Rosalio “Charlie” & Consolacion (Gabaldon) Aparicio.

Jennie grew up in Rocky Ford. On March 20, 1954, she married the love of her...

Gary W. Shane

Gary W. Shane

Feb 11, 2024

Gary Ward Shane, 83, of La Junta, CO, passed away at Bent County Health Care Center in Las Animas on February 11, 2024. Gary was born on Oct. 23, 1940 to Arthur Ward & Margaret (Hamm) Shane. He was married to Sharon Courkamp on Sept. 8, 1963.

Gary farmed, Shane Farms, for over 32 years with his motto “Helping Nature Produce”....

Kathy Ann Torrez

Kathy Ann Torrez

Feb 9, 2024

Kathy Ann Torrez

December 7, 1964 – February 9, 2024

Kathy Ann Torrez, 59, of La Junta, CO passed away Friday, February 9, 2024 at Bent County Health Care Center. She was born December 7, 1964 in La Junta to Alvaro & Estella (Chavez) Torrez.

Kathy was a very hard worker. She worked as a waitress for many years at Hogs Breath Saloon,...

Kathleen Ann Carson

Kathleen Ann Carson

Feb 6, 2024

Kathleen Ann Carson

August 3, 1947 – February 6, 2024

Kathleen Ann Carson, 76, passed away peacefully at Crowley County Nursing Center in Ordway, CO on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. She was born, Sunday, August 3, 1947 in La Junta, Colorado to Kit & Alice (Mendyke) Carson.

Kathleen graduated from La Junta High School as valedictorian in 1965. Kathleen was a Professional Engineer...

Irene Alice Bourget

Irene Alice Bourget

Feb 6, 2024

Irene Alice Bourget

March 31, 1927– February 6, 2024

Irene Alice Bourget, 96, of Rocky Ford, CO, peacefully passed away at Fowler Health Care Center in Fowler, CO on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. 

Irene was a first-generation American, born Thursday, March 31, 1927, in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, to Ovila Joseph & Rosanna Blanche (Plouffe) Riendeau. Irene was the youngest of four...

Kip Dallas Morgan

Kip Dallas Morgan

Jan 31, 2024

Kip Dallas Morgan was born on March 23, 1959 to Bonnie Lee (Shipman) Morgan-Wing, in Groton, New London, Connecticut. Kip departed us on January 31, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kip is survived by his stepmom, Susan Bautsch of Westminster, CO; sister, Robin Crawford, nieces, Nicole Motil and Rachel White, of Houston, TX; and cousins, Roberta Henderson and Ashley Hill...

Raymond Orlando Flores, Sr.

Raymond Orlando Flores, Sr.

Jan 30, 2024

Raymond "Ramon" Orlando Flores Sr., 83, of Manzanola, CO peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at his Manzanola home surrounded by his family. He was born Friday, December 27, 1940, in Fowler, CO to Pedro & Aurelia (Bernal) Flores.

Raymond attended Rocky Ford High School in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and later pursued higher education at Otero Junior College in...

Jeffrey Scott Watkins

Jeffrey Scott Watkins

Jan 28, 2024

Jeffrey Scott Watkins

January 15, 1965 – January 28, 2024

Jeffrey Scott Watkins, 59, of Cheraw, CO passed away at his Cheraw home on the morning of January 28, 2024. He was born January 15, 1965 in La Junta, CO to Steve & Linda (Cagle) Watkins.

Jeff was born in La Junta and raised in Cheraw Colorado, where he attended Cheraw School from...

Felix Grajeda

Felix Grajeda

Jan 27, 2024

Felix Grajeda

March 31, 1949 – January 27, 2024

Felix Grajeda, 74, of La Junta, CO passed away at Memorial Hospital North on January 27, 2024, in Colorado Springs, CO surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 31, 1949, in La Junta to Mariano & Carmen (Granillo) Grajeda.

Felix joined the United States Army after going to college for 2 years....

Gabriel Robert Palacio

Gabriel Robert Palacio

Jan 27, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gabriel Robert Palacio, at the young age of 66. He entered into rest on January 27, 2024, at his home. He was born to Salvador & Nellie (Morales) Palacio on January 6,1958, in La Junta, Colorado.

Gabe graduated from La Junta High School in May of 1976. He worked at...