Simillion

February 2, 1949 – June 3, 2021

Lauretta Lee Simillion passed away June 3, 2021 in Castle Rock, CO. Cremation. Family graveside services will be held in Steamboat Springs in August.

April 25, 1943 – June 5, 2021

Charles W. Bates was born on April 25, 1943, and passed June 5, 2021, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado at the age of 78. Arrangements handled by the Yampa Valley Funeral Home.

Halvorson

September 10, 1966 – June 3, 2021

Shannon Christopher Taylor Halvorson was born in Denver, Colorado on September 10, 1966 and lived in Oak Creek, Colorado from 1973-1978 and then moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where Shannon graduated from Steamboat Springs High School. While a Sailor, Shannon participated in football and wrestling, earning three letters in wrestling.

Shannon loved the Yampa Valley and its outdoors activities, including snow and water skiing, boating, camping, fishing, hunting and hiking. Shannon attended Colorado Technical College studying computer programming, the University of Northern Colorado studying psychology and graduated from the Community College of Denver, Auraria Campus with a four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree. Shannon then moved to Northglenn, Colorado, Oregon, California, Virginia and back to Denver, Colorado.

Shannon was most proud of three of his children. Shannon is survived by; Joshua Christopher Halvorson, sales director, Lauren Halvorson, in her last year of nursing school and Taylor Halvorson, United States Air Force stationed in Korea. Shannon is also survived by his loving mother, Sharon L. Halvorson and his loving father, Vance E. Halvorson, his grandfather, Fred Taylor and his aunt Kimberly Taylor, Leah Taylor Campbell (Dennis), Paula Taylor and uncle Michael Taylor.

A celebration of life (for close family and friends) will be held for Shannon at the Steamboat Springs, Cemetery, Thursday June 17, 2021.

Arrangements by the Yampa Valley Funeral Home.

Halvorson

September 10, 1966 – June 3, 2021

Shannon Christopher Taylor Halvorson was born September 10, 1966, and passed June 3, 2021. A celebration of life for family and close friends will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Arrangements handled by the Yampa Valley Funeral Home.

September 11, 1930 – May 26, 2021

On Wednesday May 26, 2021, Gwendolyn Lucille Woods Reid, Homemaker, Mother of four, Bookkeeper, Golfer,and Civic Leader passionate about education, passed away following a stroke at the age of 90 in Houston Texas.

Gwen was born the eldest of 4 on September 11, 1930 to Ruby (Toland) and Dick Woods in a dirt floor home on a farm outside Garden City Kansas.

She lived in Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas. She is survived by 3 of her 4 siblings: Dick, Delores, and Forrest. She leaves behind a legacy of love including her eldest, Cindy (Ralph) Rothfelder with daughter Lindsay (Max) Oyola (Rebecca, Camilla), surviving son Dallas (Barb) Reid, with Joe (Gabby) Reid, Carrie McMillan (Xander), Erin Pennington (Madison, Cooper), and youngest Roxanne (Jim) Reid-Bennett (Amber (Andrew), Mary).

Funeral services with be held at the Fellers Funeral Home in Syracuse KS at 10:00 am Saturday June 19th; followed by a short graveside ceremony where her ashes will be put to rest next to her husband, Floyd, and son, Eric.

August 2, 1940 – May 1, 2021

Karen May (Ramsey) Ecker, 80, of Lakewood, CO, passed away early Saturday morning May 1, 2021. Karen is survived by her daughters Teresa Gause (Gerald), Glenda Tarran (Lance), and son Eric Ecker (Melanie), 8 Grandchildren, 9 Great-grandchildren, brothers Kenneth Ramsey (Marilyn), Samuel Ramsey (Ann), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Karen is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Eugene F. Ecker and her parents Samuel Ramsey and Elva (Morley) Ramsey.

Karen was born in San Bernardino, CA, August 2, 1940. She lived in Steamboat Springs with her family until she married in 1959. Gene and Karen raised their children in Steamboat. She was active in numerous organizations from Girl Scouts to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Karen was also instrumental in starting & organizing the Buddy Werner League & Girls Pigtail Softball League for local youth in the “boat”. In 1982, Gene and Karen moved to Lakewood where Karen spent her years running & coaching Youth bowling leagues. She will be eternally loved and remembered for the opportunities she brought into the lives of countless children.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on June 15th, 2021, at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO, followed by reception. Burial service will be held at 2:30pm at Fort Logan, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd,, Denver, CO, Area C. Online Memorial Contributions may be made in Karen’s honor to: hospicefoundation.org. Donate by mail to Hospice Foundation of America, 1707 L Street NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC, 20036. Access the online address and print form to send donation.

October 17, 1934 – May 9, 2021

“I truly never knew what the words ‘I miss you’ meant’, until I reached for my mother’s hand and it wasn’t there”—-unknown.

Jane Davis passed away on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021 in Colorado Springs, CO. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Dixon, 7 grandchildren; Dr Erin Dixon, DVM, Emily Jane Dixon, Dr Margaret “Molly” Dixon, OD, William M Dixon, Ashlyn Davis, Hillary Davis, and Grayson Davis. Jane is also survived by 1 Great Grandchild, Nikolae Peterson. Jane was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, John E Davis, and her 2 sons, Michael Davis and Wilson Davis. A celebration of life will be held at a future date in Steamboat Springs.

Myer

October 2, 1947 – May 21, 2021

William B. Myer “Bill” passed away on May 21st, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Phoenix, AZ, after a 10 month battle with terminal cancer. He was born Oct. 2, 1947, to Polly and Bud Myer in Casper, Wyoming.

After completing his education in Casper, Wyoming, Bill graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Business Administration degree. He worked as an investment advisor, before becoming a Taco Bell franchise investor in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where he raised his family. Upon selling the franchise, he invested in multiple companies, most recently Arizona Organix.

Having never met a stranger, Bill was known for his generous smile and big personality. He was preceded in death by his parents, Polly and Bud Myer as well as his brother, Mike. He is survived by his wife, Joan and sons Mark and Stephanie (wife) Myer and Ben Myer, all of Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested a donation be made to the Maricopa Animal Shelter in his memory, and that of his beloved dog, Lady who was by his side to the end.

May 24, 1946 – May 22, 2021

Sue Valikonis (Archibald), former Steamboat Springs resident passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021 in Santa Barbara, CA. Sue was born in Berkeley, CA to Robert and Nancy Archibald. She was raised in Santa Barbara, and attended San Marcos High School. After graduation, Sue took a camping trip to Colorado and fell in love with Steamboat Springs where she formed friendships and connections that would continue for the rest of her life. Her infectious laugh, and good spirit flowed from Sue as she counseled at Perry-Mansfield Camp in the equestrian program, and attended and graduated from Yampa Valley College. George Tolles was Sue’s favorite professor, and she could recite German, even in her sleep.

Sue was a lifelong traveler. Her first big trip was to Guayaquil, Ecuador after college where she worked at Colegio Americano, founded by Lowell Whiteman. It nearly gave her mother a heart attack to send Sue off on a rickety airplane out of LAX to what was then a very foreign destination. But Sue was fearless and it was a life-changing trip as it led her to her next big adventure in Brownsville, Texas, where she met her husband, Bill Valikonis, and had her two boys—John and Bill.

When her husband Bill died Sue went back to school to become a nurse. After obtaining her degree, Sue moved with the boys back to Steamboat Springs. Here she found her true calling as a school nurse at Soda Creek and Strawberry Park Elementary schools where she was beloved by children, and peers alike. Later, with her parents’ failing health, she moved back to California and worked at Montecito Union School and Cate School in Carpinteria. Students would sometimes make up an illness just so they could spend the night in the infirmary with Nurse Sue.

At Cate, Sue’s beloved dog Henna was her constant companion. When she wasn’t stealing tri-tip from the kitchen, Henna could be found sitting in Sue’s convertible Cabriolet waiting for the next adventure! The journeys continued throughout Sue’s life with travels to Africa, China, Thailand, Australia, Mexico, and Europe.

The brightest lights in Sue’s life were her sons and granddaughters, Sia and Lylas. Grammy and her girls had the best of times doing art, having sleepovers and sharing love. Sue was always cheerful, and never complained no matter the circumstances.

Sue had a very strong faith, and it gave her much strength and comfort throughout her life, but especially in those challenging times, such as when her son Bill died. And in more recent years, as Sue bravely dealt with the hardships of dementia, her faith constantly sustained her.

We share her loss with everyone who knew her. Sue was a bright light in this world—a true original. We will all miss her happy nature, easy smile, playful spirit and generous heart. She is survived by her son John Valikonis, grandchildren Sia and Lylas, siblings Robert Archibald, Sally Archibald Hertzog, Charlotte Hall and Cece Hall, niece Ashley Hertzog and her daughter, Amari.

Sue will be laid to rest next to her son, Bill, at Carpinteria Cemetery on June 5th at 11:00 AM.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Toro Canyon Park afterward.

D. Smallwood

December 11, 1948 – April 16, 2021

Patrick passed away quietly at his home is Steamboat on Friday April 16th.

The son of William and Dona Smallwood, he was born on December 11, 1948, in Ventura County, CA. He later attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating with a B.A. degree in Sociology.

He relocated to Steamboat Springs, CO in the early 70’s, bringing with him his infectious sense of humor and unforgettable charm. His talents took him to various local employment from head waiter at ‘The Plum’, server & bartender at ‘Steamboat Village Inn’, i.e. ‘The Sheraton’, Manager at ‘The Old West Steak House’, to Assistant Manager at ‘Sport Stalker’, i.e. ‘Christy Sports’. In 1983 Patrick started his own business, as owner / operator of Senor Frio, a manufacture of tourist souvenirs. It was through the business that he shared his love of Mexico and was introduced to lifelong dear friends. In 1986, Patrick’s charisma and love of people took him to ‘Mattie Silks’ fine dining & ‘Cat House’ bistro. It was here that you could usually find Woody, either personally greeting a guest or sharing a conversation with the many locals that he knew. Upon the closure of ‘Mattie Silks’ in 2000, Patrick resumed his restaurant career as Dining Room Manager at ‘Dos Amigos’ Mexican Restaurant. Before retiring in 2017, Patrick found himself back at the ‘Sheraton Resort’ as a technician at ‘The Rolling Stone’ golf course.

Patrick was truly unique. His humor, his smile, his wit, his wisdom, and his love for all his friends & the town of Steamboat were deeply felt by everyone he met. Patrick loved boating in Lake Powel and ‘Misbehaven’, visiting friends in Ventura, basking in the sun with amigos in Mexico, traveling to Florida, and most of all, Loving the time he had in Steamboat.

From all of us who loved him, he will be forever missed!

“Rest in Peace Woody, till we see you again my Friend”

Patrick was preceded in death by his Father Robert, his Mother Dona, and Brothers Tim and Steve Smallwood.

A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.