CENTER – The effervescent spirit of Lonnie Torrez, a man whose laughter echoed louder than any karaoke track, has taken his final bow on the stage of life, leaving behind a legacy of joy and selflessness. Lonnie, born under the Colorado skies of Monte Vista on Dec. 29, 1963, closed his eyes in the comforting embrace of his hometown, Center, Colo., on his 60th birthday, Dec. 29, 2023.

Shirley Ann Shuler was born to Mabel Clare McKinley Shuler and Covert Preston Shuler in Springfield Colo., baby sister to Betty Jayne and Patricia Louise. In 1935, the family settled in Del Norte, …

This obituary is in the loving memory of our mother. She died at the golden age of not quite 88 years old.

(Harriet) Lynn Knight-Montaño passed away peacefully on the morning of June 22, 2024, in Crestview, Fla., at the age of 83.  Born May 3, 1941, in Frankton, Ind., she was one of nine children to Helen (Soots) and Woodrow Knight.

Larry Eugene Carpenter, a longtime Valley resident, passed away in Alamosa, Colo., on July 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 22, 1941, in Center, Colo., to LT and Alice …

Stanley Dale "Cowboy" Henderson, 66, died surrounded by family and his loving fur babies Derby, Moose, Clifford and Lucky, at his residence in Del Norte on Saturday, May 25, 2024. He was born on Jan. 26, 1958, in San Antonio, Texas, to Daniel "Byrd" and Beverly Henderson.

George W. Blake, 103, passed away at Homelake Veterans Center in Monte Vista, Colo., on May 8, 2024

Longtime Monte Vista resident Leola Roberts, 95, died May 24, 2024, at her home in Monte Vista.

Calvin Harold Kernen passed on Feb. 11, 2024, in Arcata, Calif. Cal was born Aug. 5, 1925, in Del Norte, Colo., to Swiss immigrants Friederick Alfred and Mary Albertina Kernen and was proud to have turned 98 ½ years old just days before his passing.

Co-founder of Miner, Tines passes away Beverly Sue Benson (formerly O’Rourke) Bacon, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in her Tucson, Ariz., home on March 4, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in Tulsa, Okla., on Sept. 21, 1935, Beverly lived a life filled with love, passion, and remarkable accomplishments.

Paul Carlton Douglas, 66, a lifelong resident of Colorado was tragically lost on March 6, 2024, in Villa Grove, Colo. Mr. Douglas was born Nov. 9, 1957, in California to Jim Franklin and Ella May (Wilson) Douglas.

Edith Jacqueline Wilson (Larsen) of Del Norte, Colo., passed away peacefully on March 9, 2024. Edie was born on April 28, 1932, in Scranton, Pa. After relocating to upstate NY at a very young age, her family lived in a 3-room converted chicken coop in Youngs Station, NY, where she assumed cooking responsibilities for the family by age 11. She earned her BS degree from Hartwick college in Oneonta, followed by a master’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University.

Joyce Elizabeth Roden (née Riggs), a humble servant of God was called to her eternal rest on Feb. 22, 2024, at the age of 83 in Creede, Colo. Born March 27, 1940, in Big Spring, Texas, her life was a testament to the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Charles Albert Gustafson passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. Charles was 80 years old. Born on May 3, 1943, in Denver, Colo., Charles was the oldest of three children raised by his mother and father Stasie and William Gustafson. Charles grew up in Creede, Colo., and graduated from Creede High School, being one of six in his class. Growing up Charles was an avid skier and basketball player.

Delen Tadlock Davis Coln reached for God’s Hand on Feb. 16, 2024, at the age of 85 years. She passed quietly and peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Jesus came calling, asked if she was ready, and she said, “Oh Yeah”.

James (Jim) Howell Boydstun passed away after a courageous two-year battle with cancer on January 27, 2024, in Canon City, Colorado. Born on September 9, 1948, in Rifle, Colorado, to Gladys (Williams) and Lawerence Boydstun, Jim's life was a testament to the education and development of his students & athletes and his love for his family and the great outdoors.

MONTE VISTA — Jack Lawrence Bever, a longtime Monte Vista resident, whose life journey began on Dec. 14, 1938, in Torrington, Wyo., completed his earthly chapter on Feb. 17, 2024, at the Colorado State Veterans Center.

Caroline Mary Todd, 100, passed away on Feb. 9, 2024, at her home with her daughter Georgia and granddaughter Denise by her side.

Longtime Alamosa resident Esther Marie Lopez, 78, died Feb. 22, 2024, at her home in Alamosa.

Thomas Harold Kutzley passed away on Monday, Feb. 12, at his beloved mountain home that he designed and built in 1980.