‘Voices & Thoughts’ Archives
Obituary: Kenneth Martin Markham

February 22, 1927 - January 30, 2022 Kenneth Martin Markham passed away on January 30, 2022 at Lemay Ave. Health and Rehab in Fort Collins. Kenneth was born Feb 22, 1927 in Loveland, Colorado to Walter and Lillian Markham. Kenneth had farmed in the Fort Morgan, Johnstown, Mead, Campion, and Berthoud area during his more than 70 years in agriculture. He served on the board and later was President of the Consolidated Home Supply Ditch & Reservoir Co. for 35 years, ... Full Story
The Banning of Books

By Michael Cavna Art Spiegelman sees the new ban of his book ‘Maus’ as a ‘red alert’ Click on image for Wikipedia article on this book Art Spiegelman didn’t set out to write an educational aid for young-adult readers. A half-century ago, he simply wanted to better know his own origin story, discover more about his parents’ histories — and hear from his father, a Polish Jew and a survivor, how some of their relatives were killed in the ... Full Story
Campground on the cheap spells trouble for Larimer

By Andy Zipser A story in last week’s RV Travel newsletter about half-a-dozen proposals to build RV campgrounds touched on several themes more or less common to all of them. All the proposed projects are large, calling for a minimum of 300 sites. All the proposed projects are being more or less strenuously resisted by local residents. And all but one are being pushed by deep-pocketed developers seeking to create resort-level facilities, with highly developed infrastructures, ... Full Story
No man will ever be pregnant
About a decade ago, I had a client who asked me if I would sign a petition from his church. I asked him what the petition was for. He said it was an anti-abortion petition. I asked him “when was the last time you were pregnant”? He said his wife had had 2 babies. I asked him again “when was the last time you were pregnant”? He said his daughters had ……. I asked him one more time, with emphasis “when was the last time YOU were pregnant”? He said nothing. I told him that I would ... Full Story
Obituary: Betty Lou Greene

Betty Lou Greene May 30, 1922 - August 22, 2021 Betty Lou Greene was born on May 30, 1922 in LaCygne, Kansas to Madge Brooks and Bill Sappington. She was raised by her mother and step-father, Madge and Bill Helm, with help from her beloved maternal grandparents, Maude and Thomas Brooks. Years later, her parents moved to Berthoud, Colorado where her mother opened a cafe. That cafe is where Betty met her future husband, Melvin E. Greene. After their marriage, Melvin and Betty lived ... Full Story
Obituary: Shannon ‘Sam’ Waldo

passed away on April 11, 2021 Shannon 'Sam' Waldo passed away on April 11, 2021, at the age of 94. She was a tiny human being with a massive presence and twinkle in her eyes. At the age of two, the story goes, although she had not walked or talked she was on a camping trip with her family. She came out of the tent and surprised her mother who asked, 'Who are you?', to which the verbal reply was 'My Sam'. That title stuck with her for life. She left behind a legacy of community service and ... Full Story
Time to end the filibuster

To the Editor,Every senator who protects the filibuster is guilty of protecting a Jim Crow relic that was used to block civil rights legislation for decades. There’s simply no way to get around its sinister legacy. In the 20th century, the filibuster was used to block over 200 anti-lynching bills and held up the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act for 60 days. Over and over again, it’s been a weapon wielded by segregationists and white supremacists. We can’t let the filibuster continue ... Full Story
Obituary: Betty J. Anderson

Betty J. Anderson, 90, of Berthoud, went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 2021. She was born on February 1, 1931 in Brady, Nebraska to Carl and Gloe Janssen. Betty's family moved to Loveland when she was in junior high. She graduated from Loveland High School in 1949 before attending nursing school. She married Dean Anderson on September 15, 1950 in Loveland. Together they had two children - Steven and Laurie. Betty was one of the hardest working women you'd ever meet. She worked as a ... Full Story
Obituary: Karl A. Gruber

Karl A. Gruber of Berthoud Colorado, went home to his Lord on March 3, 2021. Karl was born in Morristown, New Jersey, but did his growing up in Pleasantville, New York. He graduated from Princeton University with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1950. Karl went on to become a Wycliffe Bible translator, and worked as a pilot for Wycliffe in Alaska for a short period of time. In 1963 he became a Captain and instructor at United Airlines, retiring from that in 1983... then ... Full Story
Obituary: Ruthalene Gibbs Hindman

Ruthalene Gibbs Hindman passed away on February 25th, 2021, at the age of 84. She was born and raised on a farm in Evans, Colorado, with her three brothers Gaylord, Danny, and Calvin, by their parents Eugene and Sally Gibbs. She graduated from Greeley High School in 1953, where she was active in 4H, Colorado Girls Club, and choir. She was a leader in the National Honor Society and was elected Rodeo Queen. She attended Colorado Teachers College (now University of Northern Colorado) and then ... Full Story