November 21, 1990 – March 17, 2024
Catie O’Brien of Steamboat Springs passed away peacefully in her sleep March 17th.
A group ski from Sunshine Peak to Los Locos via Storm Face, Rainbow, and Vagabond (runs subject to snow coverage) will be held in Catie’s honor on April 13th.
We will meet at the base of the Wild Blue Gondola at 1:00pm – or see us at Los Locos around 2pm if not partaking in the ski.
Please don one of Cate’s favorite colors – pink, purple, and/or periwinkle.
A celebration of life for Catie is scheduled for May 4th in Steamboat at Olympian Hall.
– March 31, 2024
Matthew “Matt” Brian Horacek, age 67, of Sioux Falls, SD, and formerly of Yankton, SD, passed away on March 31, 2024. He will be deeply missed and remembered fondly by his family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Matt was born and raised in Yankton, SD, where he was a gifted football player in his high school and college years.
Matt moved to Sioux Falls, SD, in 2006, where he worked for the Good Samaritan Society for over 15 years as a dedicated employee.
It is difficult to capture Matt’s essence in words – he had a profound love for life and those around him. Kind, caring, considerate, full of laughs, and so, so much love. Matt was always one to check on and support those around him. A good friend, a great son and brother, and a devoted and compassionate Dad and Grampie.
Matt will be remembered for his contagious smile, his witty sense of humor, his passion for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and all things sports; as well as his love for baking with (and spoiling) his granddaughters. His greatest gift was the warmth that he shared with those around him.
His presence will be greatly missed, but his memory will forever remain alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation to help support a love for the outdoors that Matt enjoyed for so many years and held close to his heart.
Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Sarah (Tanner Schoenhard) Horacek of Sioux Falls, SD; his son, Mason Horacek of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughters, Elliot and Porter Schoenhard; sisters, Lynne (Doug) Nelson of Yankton, SD, Mary (Andy) Echtermeyer of Hill City, SD, Lisa Horacek of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Margaret (Jay Walsh) Stewart of Yankton, SD; brother, Jamie (Heidi Immel) Horacek of Pocatello, ID; and many dear relatives and friends.
Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Dolores (Almond) Horacek and brother, Luke Horacek.
www.georgeboom.com
December 24, 1952 – January 15, 2024
Karin Comeau passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Junction, CO. after a courageous battle with cancer. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 2:00 pm MT, at the Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church (736 Oak St). A reception will follow. For those that cannot join in person, the celebration will be streamed via the church’s website (www.heartofsteamboat.com, church services, livestreamed services).
January 26, 1927 – March 15, 2024
Dorothy Lidecker Hussey, of Glenview, IL passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on March 15, 2024. Dorothy, lovingly known by her childhood nickname of Dodo, was the beloved wife of the late Frank L. Hussey, Jr., M.D.; fond mother of Frank III, New Trier-1967 (Gail) of Wilmette, IL; Sharon Handler, New Trier-1968 (David) of Granite Bay, CA; William, New Trier-1971 (Donyce) of Houston, TX; and Michael, New Trier-1976 (Monica) of Albuquerque, NM; loving sister of the late Mary Buenger (Richard) and the late Robert Lidecker (Nancy). She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Brittany Handler Toft (Kenneth), CA; Lauren Handler, CA; Ashley Hussey, CO; Alanna Hussey Polinski (Michael), IL; Caroline Hussey, TX; Matthew Hussey (Chelsey), TX; and Martin Hussey, TX; and four great-grandchildren: Aaron & Franklin Toft, CA; Riley Dunkle, CO and Lawson Hussey, TX.
Dorothy spent her childhood in Kenilworth, IL, raised by her parents Bernadette and Valentine Lidecker. She attended Joseph Sears School, New Trier H.S. and Culver-Stockton College.
Dorothy’s priority was caring for her family, which she did with love and dedication, teaching her children and grandchildren many of life’s lessons along the way. Throughout her life she enjoyed playing many sports including tennis, golf, ice skating, platform tennis and skiing. She and Frank spent many winters and summers in Steamboat Springs, CO, truly their “happy place”, where they both skied until age 80! After age 80, she continued to snowshoe on the hills around her Colorado home. Quiet moments for Dorothy were spent doing needlepoint, knitting and quilting. Dorothy was also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Steamboat Springs, CO. She was a member of Michigan Shores Club, Wilmette and Skokie Country Club, Glencoe. She was also a member of the Over the Hill Gang, Steamboat Springs, CO.
Dorothy continued to take walks daily into her 90s. She was well known for strolling the neighborhood sidewalks around the Vi at the Glen, where she and Frank had lived since 2001.
She was a great lover of people, making and keeping many friends wherever she went. She loved social gatherings and was a master conversationalist who was never at a loss for words. She will be greatly missed by her family, extended family and her many friends.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Pinky Bulatao, Dorothy’s devoted caregiver as well as to the nursing staff at the Vi and Suncrest Hospice, who all gave her compassionate care and comforted her family as they could not always be present.
A funeral service and celebration of life will be held Friday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Comforter, 222 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth, IL. Interment will be private. A luncheon will follow at a location to be announced at the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Strings Music Festival. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990.
03/04/1947-02/14/2024
David Herz, a Paonia resident of 23 years, died February 14, 2024 from complications of a stroke.
David was born in Mount Kisco, NY, to Edwin Herz and Elsie (Salomon) Herz. He grew up in North Stamford, Connecticut. After graduating from high school, David moved to Colorado Springs to attend Colorado College where he majored in art.
He was soon drawn by the mountains of Steamboat Springs and his love of Nordic skiing, and he left college behind. His love of sailing fueled a dream of building boats, and although he never realized that goal, he built a beautiful shop building on his property at the base of Buffalo Pass; it was forever referred to as the “Boathouse at Buffalo Bottom”.
David met his wife, Pam Ellison, in the Cameo bar, Steamboat’s local watering hole. They married in 1980, and spent the next 43 years together.
David acquired the construction skills that he used for the rest of his life, working as a county building/zoning inspector, a carpenter, a concrete finisher, and a stucco contractor. He created beautiful furniture. His athletic pursuits included rock climbing, Nordic and Alpine/Telemark skiing and running rivers in his kayak.
In retirement, in 1999, Pam convinced Dave to buy a farm in Paonia. He agreed reluctantly as his dream was to “die riding the ski lift”. He quickly embraced the farming life and the satisfaction of learning new skills and the challenge of bringing on old farm back to production. Neighboring farmers soon became friends and liberally shared their knowledge and experience with David.
David was generous with his time and energy, always willing to contribute to the community. He served on the Stewart Ditch Water Board for several years; soon after he joined the Stewart Mesa Domestic Water Board where he served as President for many years. During his tenure, he helped improve the aging infrastructure to make the system more reliable.
One of Dave’s many interests was reading, especially in American history. He was drawn to books about the Civil War and its aftermath, but his special interest was the lead up to World War II and the war itself. He and Pam traveled to Normandy in 2012 to visit the landing beaches where the Allied Invasion took place and the Holocaust museums.
David genuinely liked people, (and loved his dogs!) and enjoyed being supportive of friends and strangers alike. He was enthusiastic and always optimistic, wanting the world to be a better place for all. He greeted everyone with a smile, and when he asked how you were doing, he really wanted to know.
David is survived by his wife Pam, a sister Alexandra Herz of Florida; a sister Elizabeth Ferris of California; a niece and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, be kind to someone today.
August 4, 1946 – March 18, 2024
Robert Lloyd Rundell passed peacefully in the care of hospice at home with his wife and daughter, Cindy, by his side. Bob struggled with Alzheimer’s and had significant decline cognitively the past couple months. Bob was born August 4, 1946 in Butte, Montana to Leona Gibson Rundell and Robert N Rundell, and spent his childhood there along with his older sister Nancy. He graduated from Butte high school in 1964 and went on to graduate from Montana University, Dillon, MT, in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. He received his Master of Education at Central Washington State College in 1975. He began his teaching career in Moses Lake Washington and in 1974 moved to Deer Park Washington where he was Principal of the Elementary school for 23 years.
He loved being a principal, working with children, and was a positive influence in many lives. In 1987, he and his wife Bert wrote and published a school curriculum, Kids Care, focused on building safe environments within school settings. He pursued consulting and trainings around this issue with other school districts. After retiring in 1998, Bob and his wife moved to Steamboat Springs, CO, where, with his wife and stepson, Dustin, he built and owned the Grease Monkey/Big O complex at the west end of town. Bob loved living in Steamboat where he enjoyed skiing and biking.
Everyone who skied with him knew there would be chocolate twizzles in his pocket for treats on the chair lift. He was very involved in the Steamboat community and in Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church. In January 2022, Bob and Bert left Steamboat for Wind Crest in Highlands Ranch, where there was support and programs to help Bob live a productive life with Alzheimer’s. His last two years were challenging but he participated in great programs that gave him a full happy life. He loved his grandchildren and everyone knew there was always ice cream in the freezer to share with them.
Bob always had a passion for animals and his goal at Wind Crest was to pet every dog. You would see him often on his knees with a dog, being the loving gentle soul he was. Bob was preceded in life by his stepson Dustin Dahlin and his sister Nancy Geschke. He will be greatly missed by his wife Roberta (Bert) Rundell, his Steamboat family, Terry Maddison, Michelle House, Kori Dahlin Shafer, Wyatt Harding (Savanah), his grandson, Morgin Harding, granddaughter, Harley, Dani, William, Great grandchildren, Kenny Ferrier, Wyntir Long, Jesse Ferrier, grandson, and his many friends at Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church.
He will also be greatly missed by his Spokane Washington family, daughters, Cindy Daffern, Cathy Reynolds (Josh), Julie Gallagher (Charles) grandchildren Justin Daffern, Jace Daffern, Amelie Reynolds, Asher Reynolds, Sean Gallagher, Daric Sage (Kristi) and Jensen and Parker Sage, great grandchildren.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held May 30, 2024 at the Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bob’s name to Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church or to Routt County Humane Society.
November 21, 1990 – March 17, 2024
Steamboat Springs native Catherine Joan O’Brien, better known as Catie or Cate, passed away peacefully in her sleep on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th at the age of 33.
Cate was born on November 21st, 1990 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado to parents Trish and Steve. As a child, Cate’s curly hair, striking blue eyes and sweet character was punctuated by a fiery nature. Throughout her childhood Cate made many friends in Steamboat, taking part in dance, girl scouts, and skiing.
At nine-years-old Cate developed the autoimmune disease Lupus. Years ensued of doctor’s visits and health struggles. But Cate persevered. After graduating high school, she attended San Diego State University earning a degree in geography before making her way back to her hometown of Steamboat.
There Cate truly shined – she became enchanted with yoga, attending classes at Rakta, often multiple in a day. She later discovered strength training, and became a fixture of Steamboat Fit, taking to her fitness with a particular passion and zeal. And Cate loved the freedom of skiing. She could often be seen flying down the mountain with her trademark pink helmet and long, brown curls flowing in the wind behind her.
Cate was the sweetest of humans and was particularly sensitive toward others with health struggles. She was kind, compassionate, had her own quirky way about her, but above all, loved the people in her life and took to her endeavors in the most passionate of ways. Her relationship with her young nephew Theodore exemplified this – little Ted loved to play superman and dance to Widespread Panic with his beloved Aunt Cate. We will never forget that.
Catie leaves behind her mother Trish, father Steve, brother Jack, sister-in-law Sarah, nephew Ted, her aunts, uncles and cousins, and numerous friends.
A group ski from Sunshine Peak to Slopeside via Storm Face, Rainbow, and Vagabond (runs subject to snow coverage) will be held in Catie’s honor on April 13th. We will meet at the base of the Wild Blue Gondola at 1:00pm – or see us at Slopeside around 1:30pm if not partaking in the ski. Please don one of Cate’s favorite colors – pink, purple, and/or periwinkle.
A celebration of life will be held May 4th in Steamboat Springs, details to come.
The family would like to humbly thank our many friends, relatives, and the Steamboat community, who have held us up during this incredibly difficult time. And the Steamboat Fit community deserves a special thank you. Cate loved this group dearly, and they have helped remind us what a strong and beautiful soul Cate was.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to the Lupus Foundation of Colorado.
Goodbye, Cate.
April 11, 1953 – February 29, 2024
Dwight David Willman, 70, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado passed away on Feb. 29, 2024, at Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Dwight was active in sports growing up while attending grade school in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Learning to play guitar would eventually find Dwight alongside his brother, Tom, in a band they dubbed “The Selmores” in their high school years. Dwight was an accomplished lead guitarist in the band, and they had quite the local following. Learning to fish at an early age, Dwight had a lifetime of adventures…from bay trips with his grandparents to deep sea adventures with friends, Dwight was in his element on the water.
Occupationally, Dwight developed a passion for retail sales and upon moving to Steamboat Springs in 1976, Dwight gained employment at F.M. Light & Sons, where he worked for 10 years before opening several successful retail stores in Steamboat.
Dwight is survived by his mother, Jeanne Willman; daughter Amanda Starbuck, her husband Leo and their son, August; Sister Melinda Willman; Nephews Aaron Willman and Shane Burdette, Nieces Sarah Willman, Kayleigh Kerbs and Elisa Burdette. Dwight was predeceased by his father, C. Lee Willman; Brother, Thomas Willman; grandparents Charles and Ruth Bortz and Clarence and Sadie Willman.
There will be a celebration of Dwight’s life held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Steamboat Springs, with a reception following. The Willman family would love to hear a great story shared by friends and loved ones as we honor his memory and the moments we shared together. Arrangements made by: Yampa Valley Funeral Home 970-879-1494
November 9, 1943 – February 8, 2024
Harold Ivan Bristol, beloved, selfless, and unassuming, peacefully passed away February 8, 2024, at the age of 80. Born November 9, 1943, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to Lola Mae (Robinson) and Wayne Bristol.
The family moved from Steamboat to Ft. Morgan and then Frisco, CO, where Harold attended the two-room schoolhouse (now part of the Frisco Historic Park and Museum) on Main Street. He graduated, in a class of 18, from Breckenridge High School in 1962, forging lifelong friendships within the close-knit Summit County community.
Growing up, Harold cared for several local widows by shoveling snow and coal, hauling water from their wells, and trapping the occasional skunk. With the mountains as his backyard, if he wasn’t at school or working, Harold was hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, or exploring. He modified his Model A car with two transmissions allowing him to traverse steep mountain terrain.
After high school, Harold worked with his father at Bristol Excavating and Sons, operating machinery on many projects such as setting the first chairlift towers at Breckenridge and Vail, logging, and building access roads for the eventual Eisenhower Tunnel. Like many locals, he also worked at the Climax Mine. However, Harold’s passion was ranching, inspired by the significant time he spent learning from his grandparents on their ranch near Steamboat Springs.
On December 5, 1970, in Dillon, CO he married Susan Lee Nelson. Together, they moved to the Davidson Ranch south of Nathrop, CO to live the ranch life, raise a family, and build community; church, 4-H and the Cattlemen’s Association. They established Bristol Excavating, Inc., and moved into Buena Vista in 1983, while continuing their cattle business till retirement.
As an avid runner and lover of horses, mules, and burros, it was only fitting that Harold competed and twice won the World’s Championship Pack Burro Race between Leadville to Fairplay 1968 and Breckenridge to Fairplay in 1969. He even won the Tenderfoot Hill Climb scramble up S-Mountain in Salida in 1975 (while his wife was in the hospital giving birth).
Harold grew his team of pack animals and hauled out countless deer and elk during hunting season. He packed in supplies for the military participants of Spring Canyon’s Rocky Mountain High program a few times every summer. And before the existence of Chaffee County Search and Rescue he would pack in and help search when needed.
Harold is survived by his sons, Bruce (Diane) Bristol, Andrew Bristol, and John (Ana) Bristol; grandson, Ethan Bristol; siblings, Marvin (Coleen) Bristol, Sylvia (Rick) Grady, and Joe Bristol. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Bonnie (Ron) Foreseen and David Bristol, and his beloved wife, Susan, who passed 17 days earlier.
A memorial service for both Harold and Susan will be held at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Buena Vista at 2 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lewisandglenn.com. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.
October 10, 1975 – February 18, 2024
Matthew Lynn Moore passed away as a result of an aneurysm on Sunday, February 18th at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the age of 48, surrounded by his loving wife and sons.
Matthew began his incredible life on October 10, 1975, in Denver, Colorado. Parents Gary and Diane Moore watched proudly as, even at a young age, Matthew was described by others as having the kindest of hearts. Matthew and his brother, Justin, loved camping and skiing in the beautiful mountains of Steamboat as children. That love of the great outdoors and adventure continued into adulthood as Matthew traveled throughout Europe and South America and planned to hike the Appalachian Trail with his wife, Rhonda.
Matthew attended Colorado State University with a degree in Civil Engineering and developed an incredible dedication and passion for his work. Matthew was a highly respected engineer for over 24 years and was responsible for building highways and runways for military bases and airports across the country.
Matthew’s inquisitive nature and love of learning contributed to his passion for reading, taking on new challenges, and researching his family ancestry. He had a zest for life, was creative, and was known as an avid reader, builder, and artist. Family always enjoyed Matt’s dry and unique sense of humor that included a twinkle in his eye and a great smile.
Matthew was a deeply loyal man and cherished family with all his being. His son was the light of his life, and he always went above and beyond to support loved ones. He organized a family trip to Ireland so his Grandpa Thompson could reach his life-long dream of visiting his ancestral roots.
Matthew’s integrity and kindness were beyond compare, and all those who met him can attest to his admirable character. Those touched by his life are better people for having known him.
Matthew leaves behind his wife, Rhonda Moore, son Charlie Moore, stepsons Andrew Brown and Christopher Brown, mother Diane Moore, brother Justin Moore, sister-in-law Elsy Moore, grandmother Lovie Thompson; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and niece, who will miss him dearly.
The family is planning a celebration of life in early summer.
