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Obituaries: Beck, Skendzel, Roberts, Johnson

Shirley Margaret Schleiger Beck
Shirley Margaret Schleiger Beck of Berthoud passed away June 17 at Pathways Hospice Care Unit in McKee Medical Hospital. She was 74.

Born on Jan. 1, 1935 to Louis and Katherine (Krieger) Schleiger, she lived in Berthoud all of her life. Beck graduated from Berthoud High School in 1953 and was very involved in school activities including cheerleading and band. During high school she worked at Kyger’s Drug store as a soda jerk. Beck was also one of Berthoud’s “Flapjack Queens.”

On June 12, 1955 she married John Lyle Beck in Berthoud at the Evangelical United Brethren Church at Fourth Street and Mountain Ave.

Beck had a very diverse work life outside of her home. She worked at Mountain Bell as an operator, secretary for several CPAs, a doctor’s office and for Nutritional Services in the Thompson School District. She also volunteered at the Berthoud Library and participated in the Berthoud Fire District’s Firebelle’s Ladies Auxiliary organization. She always strived to be the best wife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Wilbur, Roland and Leroy, and by her son Greg.

She is survived by her husband John of Berthoud, daughters Teresa (Paul) Rimsky and Kellie (Troy) Diffendaffer, all of Berthoud; grandchildren Alyssa (Travis) Stanley of Silt, Colo., Tara Rimsky and finance Hector Olivas Jr. of Loveland, Brett and Bailey Rimsky of Milliken, and Alek and Brock Diffendaffer of Berthoud; daughter-in-law Belinda Cordova of Longmont; great-grandkids Raegan and Peyton Stanley of Silt; aunt Mary Kaiser of Loveland; and numerous sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Her passions were fishing, camping, gardening, and she was an avid Broncos, Nuggets and Rockies fan, even when they didn’t do very well. She also loved supporting her grandkids in their various activities. Beck was the epitome of a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend; even during her battle with leukemia she exhibited deep concern and compassion for everyone and their personal struggles. Her two major loves in her life were her husband John of 54 years and her family.

Faith, family and her religion carried her during the course of her battle with leukemia. She exhibited her faith to her family by communicating her wishes, making tough decisions and knew that the Lord would guide her, and knew that ultimately it was God’s will be done.

Viewing was held at Kibbey Fishburn Funeral Home in Loveland on Monday June 22 with funeral services being held the following day at All Saints Episcopal Church in Loveland. Interment was at Greenlawn Cemetery in Berthoud.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Pathways Hospice c/o Kibbey Fishburn, 1102 Lincoln Ave., Loveland, CO  80537.

To view the complete obituary on line please visit www.kibbeyfishburn.com [1] and sign the guestbook.


Obituary: Chester Skendzel
Chester Skendzel passed from this life peacefully on June 17. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years; Jeanette, and a loving family of seven children, 12  grandchildren, four great-grandchildren. Daughters Sandy Smith (Chuck) of Sunset, Texas., Judy Mason (Don) of Campbell, Calif., Kathy Miller (Carl) of Drake, Colo., Betty Williams (Paul) of Berthoud, sons Gary (Lori) of Oelrichs, S.D., Roy (Linda) of Irigon, Ore., and Jack of Berthoud.

Skendzel began his career as a machinist in West Allis, Wisc., moving to Sunnyvale, Calif., where he started his first precision machine shop in 1952. The family moved to Colorado in 1962 where he started his next machine shop, Berthoud Screw Machine Products. Upon his retirement in 1979, Chet and Jeanette traveled in their fifth-wheel RV for 18 years. Chet and Jeanette’s “happy music” is known all over the US, Canada and down to Mexico with Chet on the accordion and Jeanette on the guitar, banjo and vocals. They began playing music together in 1937. The couple were also active in rosary making, and have given away 15,000 rosaries to prisons and missions all over the world.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Jeanette Skendzel Continuing Care Fund in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, 1102 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland, CO 80537


Obituary: Rodney B. Roberts
Rodney B. Roberts, 54, of Loveland passed away on June 17. He was born April 24, 1955 in Spencer, Iowa to Milton A. and Betty (Lane) Roberts. He grew up in Spencer and later moved to Longmont. In 1983 he moved from Longmont to Loveland.

He was self employed and worked with family. Roberts loved fishing, playing cards, and sports; especially playing softball, and was a champion wrestler in high school.  He loved all children and animals and they loved him. Roberts was very kind hearted and had a great sense of humor. He had a special bond and loyalty to his mother.

He is survived by his mother Betty Roberts of Loveland; father Milton Roberts of Spencer, Iowa; sons Jason Roberts (Dora) also of Spencer, Shane Roberts of Charlotte, N.C., along with brothers Terry Roberts (Judy) of Loveland, Kevin Roberts of Spencer,  sisters Linda Borchard (Dan) of Alba, Texas, and Kim Karnstedt (Kurt) of Lonetree, Iowa; three grandchildren Jordan, Morgan and Peyton; and many cousins.

Roberts was preceded in death by his grandparents Carlton and Bernice Roberts and Fred and Florence Lane; and a sister Peggy (Roberts) Petersen.

Memorial services were held Monday, June 22 at Grace Place Church, 250 Mountain View Ave., in Berthoud. A reception following the service was held at Terry Roberts’ home in Berthoud. A second service will be held later in Spencer, Iowa.

For condolences, go to www.viegutfuneralhome.com [2]


Obituary: Ronald W. Johnson
Ronald W. Johnson, D.D.S., 69, of Longmont, passed away Monday, June 15 at HospiceCare Center in Louisville, Colo.

He was born May 28, 1940 in Denver to Lester L. and Virginia M. (Widdowfield) Johnson.

Ronald graduated from Englewood High School in 1958, earned his undergraduate degree at University of Colorado-Boulder and graduated from The University of Nebraska School of Dentistry in 1965.

He married Mary L. Kohlmeyer on October 16, 1965 in Wymore, Neb.

Dr. Johnson served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1968 in the Naval Dental Corps in Hawaii. He moved to Longmont in August 1969, where he worked in the general practice of dentistry. He had a private practice from 1969 until 2006 and then continued to work part-time with the CU Dental School until 2008.

He was awarded the rank Eagle Scout. B.S.A., and was a master counselor of DeMolay. He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was active in the church in many capacities and was also very active in the dental community. Dr. Johnson was an avid family man, hunter, fisherman and skier.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Longmont; three sons, Corey Johnson (Amy) and Casey Johnson (Jeanne), both of Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Caley Johnson of Denver; his mother, Virginia Johnson of Longmont; his brother, Barry Johnson (Patty) Snoqualmie, Wash., and six grandchildren, Zachary, LeighAnne, Kaitlyn, Brady, Tyler and Annika Johnson.

A memorial service was held Monday, June 22 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Longmont. Memorial contributions may be made to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties or Ducks Unlimited and sent in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Share condolences for the family at www.AhlbergFuneralChapel.com [3].