March 25, 1934 – July 27, 2021
Richard Charles Hines, age 87, passed this life at his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Hayden, Colorado and went to be with the Lord on July 27, 2021.
Surviving are his children, Rick (Sheila) Hines of Hayden CO., Sandy (Mike) Peters of Fort Collins CO., Chuck and Josh Hines of Norco CA., Jennifer (Caleb) Jennings of Cheyenne WY., Bryan (Alexis Puccini) Peters of Denver CO..
Cremation has taken place with burial at a future date.
April 23, 1940 – July 27, 2021
Barbara Ann Bogan was born April 23, 1940 in Omaha, Nebraska and passed away July 27, 2021 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are handled by the Yampa Valley Funeral Home.
December 8, 1919 – July 23, 2021
Merle Cheek, of Maxwell, Nebraska, went on to his heavenly home on July 23, 2021, at the age of 101.
Merle was born in Prairie City, Illinois, to John and Ina Cheek on December 8, 1919. In 1928 the family moved to Steamboat Springs, CO, where Merle attended school.
In 1941, Merle decided to enlist into the military; he joined the Army Air Corps and served in WWII. Merle was sent to tech school to learn how to repair fighter planes then served in North Africa and Italy. Following his discharge, Merle returned to Colorado and went on to earn his BA from Rockmont Bible College in Denver.
On June 27, 1951, Merle was united in marriage to Stella Donovan and they made their home in Steamboat Springs where they raised their family. Merle worked as a custodian for the Steamboat School District and later did carpenter work for George Ebert Construction. He retired in 1984 then he and Stella moved to Nebraska a few years later. They were resident retiree volunteers at Maranatha Bible Camp.
Merle was an active member, deacon, Sunday School teacher and custodian of Euzoa Bible Church. After moving to Nebraska, Merle was a member of the North Platte Berean Church and later, Maxwell Baptist Church. Merle had a strong faith in the Lord which he passed on to his family. He was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ina; brothers, Russell and George; sister, Alice Rambo; and an infant daughter.
Merle is survived by his wife, Stella, of Maxwell; sons, George (Janice) Cheek, of Maxwell and Warren (Carol) Cheek, of LaGrange, WY; daughters, Lavon Cheek, of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Donna (Gary) Mahnken, of North Platte; grandchildren, Kris (Natalie) Cheek, Tara (Jeff) Kautz, Silas (Amanda) Cheek, Elaine (Nora) Cheek, Charissa (Ethan) Cole, Michael (Cassandra) Mahnken and Katie Mahnken; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Jocelyn, Kristyn, Kristopher, Josiah, Kate, Emma, Isaac, Isabella and a great-grandson soon to be born; as well as many other family.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at the Maxwell Baptist Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Plainview Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at the church. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Maranatha Bible Camp.
September 23, 1937 – June 10, 2021
Winton Avery (Murphey) Brophy passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at age 83. She is survived by her three children Bethany Aurin, Duncan Craighead, and Kerry Lloyd, three grandchildren, a long-haired chihuahua named Paco, and several nieces and nephews. Winton was born in New York City and grew up in Stamford, CT and South Salem, NY before spending a year at the University of Colorado. Her roommate was from Steamboat Springs, and she fell in love with the community at her first visit. Winton returned to New York after her freshman year determined to get back to Colorado.
Following the death of her first husband, Robert “Bobby” Craighead, Winton married Frank Brophy and fulfilled her dream of returning to Colorado. Together, they purchased Vista Verde Ranch in Clark and spent the next 20 years transforming the property from a working cattle ranch into a world-class guest ranch offering horseback riding, pack trips in the Zirkel Wilderness Area, hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, and weekly sing-alongs with Winton on the guitar.
A devoted church member, Winton spent many years in the choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal. In addition to being a talented musician with a beautiful voice, Winton was also an artist, writer, gardener, and horsewoman who loved the outdoors and animals of all shapes and sizes. She will be remembered for having a big heart, an adventurous spirit, and bringing love and light into every life she encountered.
February 14, 1964 – July 22, 2021
John Francis Abramski, 57, of Steamboat Springs passed away on July 22, 2021.
He was born on February 14, 1964 to Roman Abramski and Elizabeth Czerwinski in New Britain, CT. John loved everything outdoors from fishing to camping and rides in the Razor. He loved to cook Polish dishes for his friends and family.
John is survived by his wife Laura Siverling Abramski and their beloved dog Gus; mother, Elizabeth Ewer; Brother, Mark (Kimberly) Abramski and their children Seth and Allison; Sister, Rebecca (Michael) Smolicz and their children Jason, Hannah, Jeff and Samantha (C.J.) Canzellarina and their son Crew. Thank you to all of his many friends who have been supportive during this difficult time.
A Celebration of Big John’s life will be held 5:00pm, Thursday, August 12, 2021, at McKnight’s Irish Pub in Steamboat Springs. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Routt County Humane Society. Yampa Valley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
February 9, 1953 – June 24, 2021
If you asked a hundred people who David Douglas Combs was, they’d all give you a different story. A secret agent. A superhero. The tallest man in the world. A fisherman. The Man in the Moon.
David was none of these things, or perhaps he was all of them. What he was, was a storyteller. From the time he was young he was constantly spinning yarns. It didn’t matter if he was trying to entertain his seatmate during a boring lesson. Or trying to distract his sisters. No matter the occasion, Dave had a story.
It’s no surprise that Dave featured as the hero of most of his tales, as he had so many adventures in his life. He was born in Steamboat Springs, Co. on February 9th, 1953. David Douglas Combs, 68 years old, of Steamboat Springs Colorado passed away on June 24, 2021.
Dave graduated in 1971 from Steamboat Springs High School. He was on the basketball State Championship team in 1971, 50 years ago this year. He was an All-American athlete and school President. He went to CSU in Fort Collins. There he met Marian Theresa Bender, who he wed in 1975. They moved to Palmer Alaska that same year, their eldest daughter Kelda Combs was born there. Dave ran the local newspaper. He went on to get his masters degree in Fairbanks, Alaska and worked for the State Parks. In 1979, David and Marian moved back to Steamboat where Dave started a successful construction business, and more importantly, they added to their family 3 more children, Traeger Combs, Brienna Combs, and Jannike Combs. He and his bride would have celebrated their 46th anniversary this August. He is succeeded in death by his parents, Don and Shirley Combs. He is survived by his wife and kids, and grandson Tatum Wall, and 5 grand daughters, Cassidy Wall, Nevayla Layman, Chanlyeya Layman, Eveyln Combs and Clara Combs, his 2 sisters Linda Flood and Donna Watkins, and many many friends in the Yampa Valley.
He is on his final adventure, and we invite you to celebrate his life with us. Funeral Services will be Monday August 9th at the Steamboat Catholic Church, with a Celebration of Life lunch following the service at 1:30 at the church.
Nelson
November 25, 1946 – June 23, 2021
On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, Marieta ( Rita) Kay Nelson, devoted mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 74.
Rita was born on November 26 1946, in Oak Creek, Colorado to Don and Gerry (Long) Hinkle. She was a lifelong cattlewoman and ranched her entire life. Rita was married to Robert George on June 18, 1966. They raised two sons, Bobby and Tony. Rita married Dave Nelson, and the two were close friends up until her death.
Rita was a great horseman and passed her knowledge and passion to her sons and granddaughters. Her favorite times were helping build the family ranch and cheering on her granddaughters in the Little Britches rodeos. Her life was about family, raising her sons, building a ranching lifestyle and forming her boys into men. Rita was a 4H leader in her early years, competed in horse events at rodeos and was the best irrigator around. She would have done anything for her sons and granddaughters, passing along her knowledge and love of agriculture while creating life long memories they all cherish.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Gerry, and her infant son Douglas Steven and grandson Jace. She is survived by her sisters Becky Appel, and Lydia Hockaday, her son Bobby and his daughters Madison and Morgan, her son Ton and his wife Wendy and their daughters Kaitlyn (Robby)Lang, Whitney, Jaden, Layne and Tierney and great grandsons Lyon and Yates.
Rita passed away peacefully in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, surrounded by her son Bobby, granddaughters Madison and Morgan and their mother Denise.
Graveside services will be held July 28, 2021 at 10:00 am at the Oak Creek Cemetery.
David Combs
February 9, 1953 – June 24, 2021
David Douglas Combs, of Steamboat Springs, CO., age 68, passed away June 24th, 2021. A funeral mass will be held at the Steamboat Catholic Church at 12:00 on August 9th, followed by a Celebration of life at 1:30 in the church rectory, lunch will be served. We invite all to come share in remembering Dave Combs.
Andrew
August 2, 1991 – June 30, 2021
Lifetime Steamboat resident, Samuel L. Andrew, died Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at his home in Steamboat. A Celebration of Life for Sam will be held at the Yampa Valley Funeral Home on August 8th, 2021 at 11:00 am. Flowers and donations in honor of Sam can be sent in care of the Yampa Valley Funeral Home to PO Box 776090.
May 4, 1948 – June 28, 2021
Richard Howe, age 73, passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado on June 28, 2021 due to complications from a stroke.
Born May 4, 1948 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Rick is the son of Steve and Valene Howe of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Rick lived in Steamboat Springs and Grand Junction, Colorado.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Grand Junction, CO at the Redlands United Methodist Church; time and date to be determined. Brown’s Cremation and Funeral Service, www.brownscremationservice.com/listings has Rick’s complete obituary.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rick’s name to: Messengers of Praise Renewal Fund, Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way, Grand Junction, CO 81507