Obituaries

Obituaries in La Junta Colorado and

Juanita Marie Helsel

Juanita Marie Helsel

Aug 4, 2024

Juanita Marie Helsel

October 28, 1929 – August 4, 2024

On August 4, 2024, Juanita Marie Helsel, was freed of her earthly bounds after 94 years, and joined the love of her life, Richard Helsel, in heaven.

Born in Gove, Kansas, on October 28, 1929, Juanita has been given credit for The Great Crash the next day (or rather blame?). She was of...

Blas G. Torrez

Blas G. Torrez

Aug 1, 2024

Blas G. Torrez

1959 – 2024 

Blas G. Torrez, 65, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024 at his residence. He was born in La Junta, CO in 1959 to Miguel & Rosa (Guerrero) Torrez.

Blas, such a unique name for such a unique man. Passionate and kind wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg as to who he was. 

Someone once told me, “He...

Marshall Paul Smith

Marshall Paul Smith

Jul 30, 2024

Marshall Paul Smith

November 29, 1942 – July 30, 2024 

Marshall Paul Smith, 81, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of Olney Springs, CO, passed away July 30, 2024, at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, CO. He was born November 29, 1942, in Robbinsville, NC to Clarence Lewis & Georgia (Rogers) Smith. 

Marshall was one of eight siblings and grew up in...

Anthony G. Archuleta

Anthony G. Archuleta

Jul 30, 2024

Anthony G. Archuleta

August 20, 1951 – July 30, 2024 

Anthony Gerald Archuleta, 72, of Rocky Ford, CO passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. He was born Monday, August 20, 1951, in Rocky Ford to Joseph & Jennie (Chaparro) Archuleta. 

Anthony is survived by his children, Nadine Archuleta of Rocky Ford, CO; Anthony M. Archuleta of...

Celena "Patty" Martinez

Celena "Patty" Martinez

Jul 29, 2024

Celena “Patty” Martinez

September 24, 1961 – July 29, 2024 

Celena Patricia Martinez, 62, of La Junta, CO passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at her La Junta home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 24, 1961 in La Junta. 

Pattry is survived by her partner, Tim Dellinger of La Junta, CO; children, Bobbie Apodaca of La Junta, CO; Gabrielle...

Yvonne Perfelia DeHerrera

Yvonne Perfelia DeHerrera

Jul 28, 2024

Yvonne Perfelia DeHerrera

April 5, 1957 - July 28, 2024 

Yvonne Perfelia DeHerrera, 67, of Rocky Ford, CO, passed away July28, 2024 at her Rocky Ford home surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 5, 1957 to Floyd & Josephine (Segura) DeHerrera in Del Norte, CO. 

Yvonne was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was an amazing cook...

James Wiley Woodruff

James Wiley Woodruff

Jul 28, 2024

James Wiley Woodruff

August 28, 1945 - July 28, 2024

James W. Woodruff, 78, of Rocky Ford, CO passed away July 28 2024, in Rocky Ford. He was born on August 28, 1945 to Clifford Wiley & Betty Evelyn (Zimmerman) Woodruff in La Junta, CO

James pursued his education and attained an associate's degree from Otero College. Following his academic endeavors, he served...

Steve Charles Wallin

Steve Charles Wallin

Jul 27, 2024

Steven Charles Wallin

October 7, 1960 – July 27, 2024 

Steven C. Wallin, 63, of La Junta, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 27, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle. Steve was born October 7, 1960 in Waverly, Iowa to Charles D. and Helen Sandra (Watson) Wallin.  

Steve grew up...

Suzanne Platt

Suzanne Platt

Jul 18, 2024

Suzanne Platt, 77, passed away July 18, 2024 at her Kim home. She was born December 24, 1946 in San Diego, CA to Harlan & Helen (Mason) Ballard.

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024 in Kim for both John and Suzanne.

In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Arkansas Valley Hospice, www.arkvalleyhospice.org.

Online...

Lucky H. Ashida

Lucky H. Ashida

Jul 14, 2024

     Lucky H. Ashida, a beloved member of the Crowley County community and a dedicated educator and coach, passed away on July 14, 2024, at his home in Ordway, CO. Lucky was born to Eiroku & Toki Ashida on July 19, 1934. Lucky grew up north of Crowley on a small farm with his parents and 11 siblings. Life...

Jerry A. Norton

Jerry A. Norton

Jul 12, 2024

Gerald "Jerry" Arthur Norton loving husband, father, grandfather (Pa), and friend, 78, of the Fowler area, left his earthly home and entered his heavenly home into the loving arms of His Savior Jesus Christ on July 12, 2024.

Jerry was born on December 12, 1945 to George Alfred and Halla Lurlene (Laughlin) Norton on the family homestead north of Fowler on...

Luis Carlos Munoz

Luis Carlos Munoz

Jul 9, 2024

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Luis Carlos Munoz, a beloved member of the Otero County community. Luis was born on August 8, 1954, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to his loving parents Venicio & Teofila Munoz.

Throughout his life, Luis dedicated himself to the art of bartending, becoming a familiar and cherished face to many in Otero County....

Nita Marie Kirkham

Nita Marie Kirkham

Jul 8, 2024

Nita Marie Kirkham, a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, at her North La Junta home. She was born on March 17, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Nita exuded warmth and kindness in everything she did and her absence leaves a void that will be deeply felt by her family and friends.

She is survived by her...

Linda Diane Krugman

Linda Diane Krugman

Jul 7, 2024

Linda Diane Krugman was born on January 8, 1948, in Rocky Ford, Colorado to Arnold & Mary (Donk) Olsen. Linda, 76, was in good health most of her life and passed away on July 7, 2024.

Linda was raised in Rocky Ford being the oldest of four children. She attended Rocky Ford High School where she was a cheerleader and excelled...

Duane Don Stjernholm

Duane Don Stjernholm

Jul 5, 2024

Duane Don Stjernholm, of La Junta, CO, went home to his creator, in the early morning of July 5, 2024, after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD. He born December 7, 1951, on Pearl Harbor Day, in La Junta. He was the second son to Ernest & Lois (Ridennoure-Friedenberger) Stjernholm. 

Duane went to Cheraw Consolidated school from first grade...

Gary E. Wallace

Gary E. Wallace

Jun 26, 2024

Gary E. Wallace was the son of Harry D. Wallace and Olive E. Carlisle Wallace. Born in La Junta, Colorado on July 5th, 1947. He grew up on the family farm with his big sister, Harriet Wallace Menning. He was active, curious and fearless as a child and throughout most of his life.

Upon graduating high school, he and his wife,...

James David Thompson

James David Thompson

Jun 20, 2024

James "Jimmy" Thompson, 58, of La Junta, CO passed away Thursday, June 20, 2024, at The Joni Fair Hospice House in Pueblo, CO. He was born November 4, 1965, in Denver, CO to Dale & Judith (Fritz) Thompson.

He is survived by his dad, Dale Thompson and sister, Denise McFarland, as well as niece, April (Shane) Shoemaker, nephew, Joshua (JoAnn) McFarland,...

John Platt

John Platt

Jun 16, 2024

John Platt, 79, of Kim, CO passed away June 16, 2024 at his Kim home. He was born March 22, 1945 in La Junta, CO to Robert Lee & Rosie Margaret (Williams) Platt.

Private family service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald Roy Skorick

Ronald Roy Skorick

Jun 12, 2024

Ronald Roy Skorick was born on March 15th, 1944 in Velva, North Dakota to John and Stacia Skorick and passed from this life on June 12, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Stacia Skorick; brothers, Glenn, Paul, Raymond and Rollie; sisters, Ruth Skorick and Ethel Plesuk; and grandsons, Alexander Skorick and Isaac Pipkin. He is survived...

Eliseo "Gerald" Richard Berumen

Eliseo "Gerald" Richard Berumen

Jun 12, 2024

Eliseo “Gerald” Berumen, 93, of Rocky Ford, CO died peacefully at his home in Rocky Ford on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. He was born September 10, 1930 in Nepesta, CO to Elias & Guadalupe (Diaz) Berumen.

He served in the US Marines, PFC, from 1952 – 1954. He worked for the Pueblo Army Depot where he worked with the “Hawk Missile...