Obituaries

LAURA SWARTZ Oct. 12, 1931 – Nov. 27, 2023

Laura Swartz passed away peacefully on November 27th in Los Alamos. She is survived by her daughter, Stacey Swartz Gauny, who lives in the Los Alamos family home. Laura was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Blair Swartz.

Laura was born in 1931 and grew up in Pottsville, PA. She received a B.A. in Geology from Antioch College where she met her soon-to-be husband, Blair. They were married in 1955. After graduation Laura worked for The Chicago Natural History Museum and then the U.S. Geological Survey in Washington D.C. Laura and Blair moved to Los Alamos Read More

LINDA WELLS April 30, 1930 – Oct. 31, 2023

Linda Mary (Lundgren) Wells was brought into this world during a raging tornado in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 30, 1930. A Daughter of the American Revolution, she grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where she met and married her first husband, John L. Lundgren. They moved to Los Alamos with their young daughter, Lucille Lundgren, in the 1950s. This husband of 25 years and Linda worked at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory;  he, a nuclear engineer and she, an eyes-only cold war patriot.

A private property ownership Read More

CHARLES DENNIS CASIAS June 3, 1943 – Nov. 24, 2023

Charles Dennis Casias, 80, a resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away on November 24, 2023, of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Patsy Gloria Casias. his mother Ramona Burmeister, stepfather, Slim Burmeister, sister, Bessie Romero, brothers Billy Burmeister, and Ronnie Burmeister; brothers in law Albert Gonzales, and Steve Romero along with several nephews.

Dennis was born on June 3, 1943, in Raton, New Mexico, he graduated from Cimarron High School in 1962. He married Patsy Read More

SHIRLEY ANN LOEWENSTEIN March 27, 1936 – Nov. 11, 2023

Shirley Ann Loewenstein, 87, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away surrounded by family and friends Saturday Nov. 11, 2023.

Shirley was born in Kearney, Nebraska March 27, 1936, to Elbert & Delia (Fox) Loewenstein. She attended Los Alamos High School graduating in 1954 and then received several advanced computer certifications for her work at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Tech Supervisor & Systems Specialist.

She retired in 1990 after 35 years of service and moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to family. Over the Read More

MICHAEL F. EBBERS Feb. 26, 1952 – Nov. 21, 2023

Michael F. Ebbers, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died near Elkhart, Kansas, a few days before Thanksgiving. He was hunting with his best dog and died suddenly from natural causes.

Michael was the second of four children born to Frederick and Margaret Ebbers in Burlington, Wisconsin. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1970.

He went to the University of Wisconsin, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and became a land surveyor after college. In 1981, he took a job with the ATSF and moved to Texas to engineer railroad bridges. Eventually, Read More

DR. PAUL OLIVER FREDERICKSON Nov. 13, 2023

Dr. Paul Oliver Frederickson passed away on November 13, 2023, surrounded by his wife of 65 years, Rosmarie, and his children Beth, Margie, Jim and Howard.

He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Dagne (Ostergaard) Frederickson, and his siblings Audrey, Donna and David.

His insatiable curiosity and dry wit live on in his grandchildren Oliver, Freya, Kira, Rafael, Brigham, Maurnét, Arianna, Michael, Arlo, Brienne, Matthew and Lexi, and his great grandchildren Valory, Cedar, Simon and Eleanor.

Paul received his PhD in Mathematics from Read More

KENDRICK JOHN HEBERT Feb. 3, 1930 – Nov. 20, 2023

Kendrick John Hebert, age 93, passed on November 20, 2023, in Los Alamos, New Mexico.  Ken was born on February 3, 1930, in Middleborough, Massachusetts, the son of Marie and Joseph Hebert.

Ken grew up in the small town of Plymouth, Massachusetts with his two brothers, Russell and Ronald. It is here where he met the love of his life, Jeanette Marie Whiteley. They were married December 30, 1953, at St. Ambrose Church in Hollywood, California. They settled in the Los Angeles area, where Ken accepted a job at Caltech. They had four loving children, Keith, Read More

LANCE EDWARD DAVID LACKAS June 28, 1963 – Nov. 21, 2023

Lance Edward David Lackas, 60, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away on November 21, 2023. He was born on June 28, 1963, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Shirley and Duane Lackas.

Lance was a great son, husband, father, and friend to many. He was always doing something either at home or for his friends and neighbors. He loved being outside, whether it was doing yardwork or golfing with his buddies. Lance had a strong work ethic and took pride in everything he did.

Lance is survived by his parents, Shirley and Duane Lackas; his wife, Claudia Lackas; his sons, Barry Read More

RONALD D. CHRISTMAN Aug. 21,1936 – Nov. 23, 2023

Ronald Dwaine Christman passed away on Thanksgiving morning at home in Los Alamos, NM as a result of complications from long term prostate cancer. He frequently said that every day was a blessing.

Ron is survived by his wife of 63 years, Corine (Elfrink) Christman, as well as his son Brent (Xia) and grand-daughter Jinyi Duan, daughter Marie Michnovicz (Matthew), and their children Randal and Elena.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Emil Christman (1911-1992) and Rosa Schlepp Christman (1913-2001).

Ron was born in Selby, SD and the doctor Read More

STANLEY LEROY WHETSTONE  Aug. 30, 1925 – Sept. 21, 2023

Stan was born in Newark, NJ to Stanley and Mary (Rhoads) Whetstone. Soon after his birth, the family settled in Belleville, NJ where his sisters, Janice and Molly were born.

Stan lived in Belleville throughout his childhood and the family often visited relatives who all lived in eastern Pennsylvania where both of his parents had deep roots. Visiting his favorite Aunt Edna in Sunbury, where he enjoyed fishing in the Susquehanna River and visiting country farms, were fond memories for Stan.

Stan graduated from Belleville High School as the Read More

JEANNE CLARK WHETSTONE Aug. 30, 1926 – Sept. 7, 2023

Jeanne was born in Palo Alto, California to Donald Francis and Lucia Margaret (Stoffels) Clark. Her sister, Dot, was born two years later. After their father passed away when Jeanne was seven, the family moved to San Francisco, where she grew up. She loved going to the corner bakery, visiting the library, roller skating, sunning at the beach, and visiting downtown where “you always dressed up”. Being a Girl Scout and earning badges was a special memory for Jeanne.

Growing up during the depression she was thankful when a neighbor would bring over Read More

RICHARD JOHN DALY Oct. 23, 1922 – Nov. 2, 2023

Richard John Daly died Nov. 6 in Santa Fe at age 101 after a long and fulfilled life.

He was born in Santa Fe Oct. 23, 1922, at the home of his parents, Mary Elizabeth and Richard Marcus Daly. His father, an Irish immigrant, earned a law degree from Georgetown University before moving to Santa Fe in 1918 after military service in France in World War I left lingering health issues.

Richard, known as Dick, grew up fascinated by the cultures and history of Northern New Mexico. Living in Santa Fe when most people spoke Spanish, he became fluent in that language. Read More

WAYNE OLIVER LUNSFORD June 21, 1947 – November 15, 2023

Wayne Oliver Lunsford, 76, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2023, surrounded by his family, from a long battle with dementia.

Wayne was born on June 21, 1947, in Santa Ana, CA to parents Jesse Lunsford and Winifred (Jones) as the second child of six. Mealtimes were a one-and-done deal, if you didn’t grab what you wanted the first time around, you were guaranteed it wouldn’t come back around a second time.

While growing up, Wayne’s family moved around several times while his father pursued Read More

SUSIE BARELA Nov. 9, 1931 – Nov. 17, 2023

Susie Barela, (92), a lifelong resident of Truchas, NM. Born on November 9, 1931, and passed away on November 17, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loved ones after a brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents Isidoro and Leonardita Barela; siblings Fedencia Cordova, Gilbert (Julia) Barela, and Hope (Donald) Lopez. Close nieces and nephews Sarah, Medardo, Irma Cordova and Dino Fernandez.

She is survived by her great-nephew whom she raised as her son, Louie Sandoval and wife Valerie. Her baby ones, Ryan Sandoval (Angelique), Grace Sandoval, Read More

PRISCILLA M. PACHECO Dec. 15, 1939 – Nov. 10, 2023

Priscilla M. Pacheco departed peacefully Nov. 10, 2023, surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her home.

Born in Santa Fe, Dec. 15, 1939, Priscilla, along with her husband Danny Pacheco, raised their family in Los Alamos, NM. A dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Priscilla was known for her kindness and caring nature, with a smile that could light up any room. Her absence will be felt deeply by all who knew and loved her.

Priscilla’s affection for children earned her the endearing title of neighborhood mom. She was known for Read More

PEGGY ANN SANTISTEVAN Oct. 21, 2023

Peggy Ann Santistevan passed away peacefully at the age of 76 on Saturday, October 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Peggy, affectionately known as Ammi by her grandchildren, is survived by her daughter, Lena (Miles), sons Rey (Dee) and Ernesto (Carolee), her four grandchildren, Abigail, Madeline, Miles Scott and Isabella. Her siblings, Diana Santistevan and Michael Santistevan as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Peggy retired to Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoyed watching her 3 oldest grandchildren grow up. Peggy loved sewing, knitting, Read More

MARGARET MAXWELL BRADDOCK BOWMAN Nov. 22, 1933 – July 31, 2023

Margaret Maxwell Braddock Bowman passed away peacefully July 31 in Tucson, Arizona. 

She was born Nov. 22, 1933 in New York, NY to Guilbert Campbell Braddock & Estelle Maxwell Braddock.

Growing up, both of Margaret’s parents were deaf, so she was well versed in sign language. Her love of languages didn’t stop there as she also learned Dutch and Spanish.  

Margaret attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA where she met Allen Lee Bowman.  They were both active in the drama. Margaret was waiting for Al to put props Read More

HAROLD MORGAN JR. June 12, 1946 – Oct. 20, 2023

Harold Morgan, Jr., died Oct. 20 in Albuquerque. He was 77. 

Harold was born in Oklahoma City on June 12, 1946, to Iverna and Harold M. Morgan. The family moved to Albuquerque in the late 1950s for his father’s job involving early uranium mining in the Grants area. 

Harold attended Jefferson Middle School and Highland High School. He was in the first class of St. John’s College, Santa Fe campus. He earned a BA at the University of New Mexico, did graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma, and received his MBA from the UNM Anderson School of Management. Read More

THOMAS ‘TOMMY’ A. LAWRENCE March 30, 1934 – Nov. 3, 2023

Thomas “Tommy” A. Lawrence, 89, after an illness passed away Nov. 3, 2023. He was born March 30, 1934, in Alton, IL, to the late Allen and Irene Lawrence. Tommy is survived by his loving children, Christopher Lawrence (Staci) and Cathy Lawrence (Richard Splawn), as well as his brother Gary Lawrence (Agnes) as well as his 5 grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nephews, neices and cousins.

Tommy served in the US Army from 1956 to 1958.

After his military service, Tommy embarked on a successful career. He initially worked at Olin in East Read More

ALAN R. BERRY July 24, 1940 – October 2023  

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Alan R. Berry (known as “Al” to most) a long term resident of White Rock, NM.

Alan was born on July 24, 1940 to parents Elmer and Alice in NE Wisconsin. He graduated from Shawano Senior High School and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He completed his Masters and PHD studies in metallurgical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He worked a few years at 3M Central Research in St. Paul. His next 15 years were spent at Rocky Flats Arsenal, Colorado, Read More

WILLIAM G. HUDGINS Sept. 18, 1924 – Sept. 18, 2023

William “Bill” Gordon Hudgins passed away peacefully on his 99th birthday, Sept. 18, 2023, while surrounded by family.

Bill was born in 1924 Carlsbad, NM to Essie Jones and William N. Hudgins, and spent most of his youth in Santa Fe.

Bill left the University of New Mexico after enrolling in the U.S. Navy V-12 Program in 1942 and arrived in Los Alamos in 1943 as the first SED-Special Engineering Detachment performing radiochemistry and metallurgy. He enlisted in the Army Engineers and continued supporting the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos until Read More

JONELLE ROSE SULLIVAN Jan. 8, 1941 – Oct. 24, 2023

Jonelle Rose Sullivan danced her way into heaven Oct. 24, 2023. Jonelle came into this world Jan. 8, 1941, in Houston Texas, to Joe and Nelda (nee Pruess) Wallace. She was their only child, and though she was part of a large extended family, she always wanted a large family of her own.

She was raised primarily by her mother. The strong love between them as well as the love of God, carried them through many hard times.

From an early age, Jonelle had a strong love and talent for worship, with the ability to usher in the very presence of the Holy Spirit with her Read More

JEAN VISSCHER March 1929 – Nov. 5, 2023

Jean Visscher was born March 1929 in Elmira, NY, and died Nov. 5, 2023 in Colorado Springs, CO.

She was the daughter of Robert and Elsie (Woodford) Dininny and grew up in Susquehanna, PA. After high school and secretarial school, she worked at Hartwick College, Cornell University and the University of Maryland. She met her future husband Bill Visscher at Cornell where he was a physics graduate student.

Jean and Bill married in 1951 and they were together over 69 years. They moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1956 where Jean worked at the County of Los Alamos in various Read More

SALLY FOOTE WILKINS Sept. 20, 1942 – Nov. 4, 2023

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 Sally Foote Wilkins died peacefully at her home in Los Alamos, NM, where loved ones had gathered to see her off. She was 81 years old.  

Sally was born Sept. 20, 1942 in Leadville, Colorado to Max and Eugenia Foote, and grew up in Paola, Kansas with her younger brother Max Foote and her longtime best friend Ota Roadhouse. She had a childhood that was full of fun and mischief – getting into trouble for taking her mother’s car out for a spin when she was just twelve years old (and teaching herself to drive a stick shift on the fly), sneaking Read More

DONALD HENRY MCLAUGHLIN May 27, 1934 – Sept. 16, 2023

Donald Henry McLaughlin, 89, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Donald was born May 27,1934; the second of seven children. He would proudly add he was so impatient to get started on his story that he was his mom’s only home birth.

Donald was born and grew up in Lafayette, Indiana. He was welcomed by his father, William Raymond McLaughlin, and Mother, Frances Rovine (Jenkins) McLaughlin.

Spending time with Donald would give you a glimpse of a time when gentlemen wore ties, hats and always had a clean hankie in their pocket. Read More

DR. JERE LANE GREEN Aug. 19, 1935 – Nov. 1, 2023

Dr. Jere Lane Green passed away on November 1, 2023, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, surrounded by his loving family. Jere was born on August 19, 1935, in Clovis, NM, to Lowell Clarence Green and O’leta Fern (Lane) Green. He and his sister, Judith Green, lived with their parents in Clovis until 1945 when they moved to Santa Fe, where Lowell was Clerk of Court for the Supreme Court of New Mexico for many years.

Jere graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1953 and then attended the University of New Mexico where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He Read More

MARCO FRANCIS ASHCROFT July 21, 1973 – Nov. 1, 2023

Marco Francis Ashcroft, 50, died unexpectedly on November 1, 2023, at his home in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Marco was born July 21, 1973, in Encino, California, son of the late Lina and Frank Ashcroft of Albuquerque New Mexico, and brother to the late Maysa Peterson of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was the youngest of five siblings.

Marco was a happy child; intelligent, athletic, kind and thoughtful, and full of silliness and energy. But life quickly became difficult, eventually complicated by mental illness and addiction. He struggled all his Read More

AUSTIN RYAN GARDNER – Nov. 10, 1993 – Oct. 30, 2023

Born in Albuquerque, NM on a “Black Sabbath kind of day,” raised mainly in Los Alamos, Austin’s most loved place was Vail, CO, where he worked hard, and played harder.

His love for a full send down the mountain and the same energy with every type of music will live forever within us all and reminds us to go for it even when we are scared. We all hear him in the simplest songs, and the passion he had for music and the beauty of this world is within us all. His music was infectious and brought so many of us together even through the hardest of times. He will now forever Read More

JJ PAUL MAIER Oct. 13, 2023

JJ Maier (Jeffie Joy Paul Maier) of Los Alamos died at home October 13, 2023, after a long and difficult journey following a vehicular accident in 2005. JJ was born to parents Betty Joy Sharp Paul and Elza Paul in Albuquerque, NM in 1946. She would have been 77 this month.

JJ graduated from Los Alamos High School and attended UNM prior to moving to Las Cruces with her family. She worked with Jim Patton and Design Interiors of Las Cruces and in Northern NM on projects including the Taos Courthouse and the Downs Racetrack.  She lived and worked briefly in Salt Lake City, Utah Read More

DUANE FLAMIG April 16, 1951 – Oct. 29, 2023

Duane Flamig born April 16, 1951 in Oshkosh, Nebraska, passed away Oct. 29, 2023 in Peoria, Az.

Born in rural Nebraska, and the oldest son in a family of 8 children, Duane had a natural curiosity about everything. In his youth he memorized the encyclopedia and bet his siblings a shiny penny they couldn’t ask him a question from the pages that he wouldn’t be able to answer. His learning culminated in a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska. He spent the first half of his career working on techniques for MR imaging that could be used to improve Read More

SHIRLEENE ANN WESTERHOLD Oct. 22, 2023

Shirleene Ann Westerhold, age 88, of Rio Rancho, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Charles Eugene “Gene” Westerhold, parents James and Ella Scullawl, in-laws Charley and Bertha Westerhold, granddaughter Wenona Westerhold, and son-in-law Bill Cushing.

After high school, Shirleene married her sweetheart, Gene, in May of 1954, which they were married for 55 amazing years. Shirleene drove a school bus for Los Alamos Public Schools for 13 years. Shirleene then worked for Los Alamos Read More

STEVEN ALLEN COCKING May 26, 1948–Oct 3, 2023

We are saddened to announce the passing of Steve Cocking. Steven Allen Cocking was born May 26, 1948 in Glendale, Arizona to Henry Cocking and Lois Tibbet. Steve was a devoted son, husband, father, uncle, coach, Papa and friend. He passed away Oct. 3, 2023 in Sun City, AZ at the age of 75.

Steve moved around frequently during his childhood years, but he found a home his sophomore year of high school in Artesia, NM. As a proud Artesia Bulldog, he discovered his deep love for the game of football, which would later develop into his passion for coaching and his Read More

MARIE (SCHOPPY) SCHELBERG

Marie (Schoppy) Schelberg, long time resident of Los Alamos, died October 20, 2023. She was born on March 25, 1925, in Locust Gap, Pennsylvania.

Marie worked in the Locust Gap Post Office starting in 1947 and became Postmaster in 1962. She retired in 1985. Marie then moved to Los Alamos to help care for her sister. In 1989 she married Arthur Schelberg. They spent their remaining years in Los Alamos.

Marie enjoyed knitting and was a member of the Prayer Shawl Group at IHM. She delighted in watching the birds and wildlife that visited her deck.

There will be a viewing at the Read More

Obituary: DIANNE HORN Nov. 23, 1942 – Oct. 22, 2023

Dianne M Horn, 80, of Rutheron, N.M., passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023, with family by her side.

She was born November 23, 1942, in West Bend, Wisconsin—the daughter of the late Hilary and Marie (Engelhardt) Hoepner.

Dianne attended Marion College and graduated from Fond du Lac Vocational School as a licensed Practical Nurse in 1962.

On April 4, 1964, she married William (Bill) Horn at the Catholic Church in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Dianne was a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital and West Bend Medical Center.

Dianne, her husband, and their children Read More

Obituary: Shirley René April 26, 1961 – May 18, 2023

It is with great sadness and fond memories that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shirley René Holaday on May 18, 2023. She led a full and interesting life, and touched the life of everyone she met.

René was born on April 26, 1961, in Tarrant County, Texas, the youngest of three siblings. She attended college at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she majored in Physics (BS, 1990) and met her future husband, Jim Cooke. Her extracurricular activities included leadership roles in Sigma Pi Sigma and marching band. During Read More