Category: Obituaries

December 22, 1955 – September 5, 2022

Robert Scott Gerken, 66, passed away September 5, 2022. Robert is preceded in death by his mother, Deloris Gerken and is survived by his father John Gerken; his sisters Gale Gerken, Leigh Falk (Bruce), and Lori Stenstrom; his nephews and niece Aaron Fiscus (Katie), Amanda Fiscus, Andrew Fiscus, and Cody Falk (Sylvia); and five great nephews and nieces.

Those who knew him know that he was a strong man and know the pain he endured. He fought to the end.

He loved fishing, sports, and all who were dear to him. He will be greatly missed.

Celebration of Life will be in Omaha, Nebraska.

July 5, 1958 – August 31, 2022

Richard (Rick) Abie Tanguma, 64, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Wednesday August 31st, 2022, after a second battle with cancer. Rick was born on July 5th, 1958 in Denver, Colorado. He was married to Lynn Tanguma, for 45 years, and was the youngest of 11 children born to Diamantina Hay (Sanchez), and Abelardo Tanguma.

At a young age, Rick fell in love with the game of tennis at Berkley Park in North Denver. This led to him graduating college, from Grand Canyon University, on a full tennis scholarship. Rick played Singles and Doubles for his college tennis team 1985, 1986 and 1987.

His love of tennis and competition permeated his life and led to life long friendships and purpose. This included privately coaching high level tennis players, and being head coach of Arvada West High School’s Men’s Tennis team for the last 10 years. Rick was awarded Jefferson County Tennis Coach of the year in 2021. While coaching at Arvada West he inspired, motivated, and shared his passion with hundreds of young players, including his youngest son Jadon Tanguma, his grandson Josiah, and granddaughter Lucia.

Rick was a sales rep for various companies, including Babolot, Diadora, Pro Kennex, and many other products in the trucking businesses early in his career. The later part of his career, Rick started and ran OZ77, an affordable eyewear distribution company. He chose the name OZ77 as tribute to an Israeli tanking brigade, and because he had a passion of faith, to support Israel and its Biblical importance to his Christian faith.

Rick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynn Tanguma, his two sons, Jeremy Tanguma and Jadon Tanguma; his 2 daughters-in-law, Jessie Tanguma, and McKensey (Struzik) Tanguma, and his 3 grandchildren Josiah Tanguma, Lucia Tanguma, and Hazel Tanguma from Jeremy and Jessie. As well as siblings Eliud (Al) Tanguma, Evangeline (Eve) Parton, Ermelindo (Mel) Tanguma, Edna Romero, Annie Garcia, Elaine Shoemaker, Samuel Tanguma and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his mother, Diamantina Sanchez Hay, his father Abelardo E. Tanguma and siblings Eddie Tanguma and Enrique (Henry) Tanguma.

Rick’s legacy will live on through memories, his echoing zeal for intensity and self belief, in stories we all share, but mostly the family, friends, students and faith he left deeply rooted behind. Our world was better for knowing him, we will miss him dearly but he is now where he belongs, with his Lord and Savior, and the rest of our family.

June 23, 2003 – August 27, 2022

Luis is survived by his mother Michelle and father Edgar, Sibling’s Derrick, Xavier, and Victoria, Grandparents Steve, Sharon, Joel, and Guadalupe, And many Aunt’s, Uncle’s, and Cousin’s, As well as many friends.

Luis was born in Louisville Colorado to Michelle and Edgar Jimenez. He passed in his home in Denver Colorado, at the young age of nineteen. Leaving behind many people that loved him so.

Luis cherished the time he spent with family and friends. His smile lit up every room he walked into and if you were having a bad day, he would make it his job to make you smile and laugh. From a young age, Luis had been a character of fun and laughter and showed it through the actions of his loving soul.

Luis enjoyed spending time playing video games with his siblings and friends and never gave up, even when the odds were against him. If you couldn’t find him there, he was probably under his truck working. It was his favorite hobby, and he would spend every day there if time allowed it.

He will always be loved and never forgotten!

July 18, 1940 – August 18, 2022

Born July 18, 1940. She passed away August 18, 2022 in Arvada, Colorado at Arbor View Skilled Nursing Home where she had resided since March 2021. She was 82 years old.

Beverly was born to Dorothy and Durward Van Bebber in Alton, Illinois. She was the second of four children. She married Samuel Gomez on June 24, 1956. They raised five children. They divorced in 2015. Beverly was a homemaker and received her GED in 1976. Beverly was a gifted seamstress and created many beautiful quilts. She was also an avid reader.

She is proceeded in death by her son Paul Gomez, her sister Dorothy Zeilbauer and her parents.

She is survived by her children Richard Gomez, H. Diane Mills (William), Robert Gomez (Lisa), Rodney Gomez and her brothers Durward and Walter VanBebber, and her grandchildren Jennifer, Richard, Matthew, Greg, Spencer, Margaret, Caroline, Nicole, Brandon, Casey, Kayla Stephanie, Jacob and her ex husband Samuel Gomez and seventeen great grandchildren.

June 7, 1932 – August 6, 2022

Barbara Sinclair Uhlig passed away on August 6, 2022. She was 90 years old, born June 7, 1932. She was preceded in death by her parents Duncan Sinclair Taylor, Ruth Frances Eno Taylor and her loving husband Clifford Milton Uhlig.

Barbara graduated from the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. She had a lifelong career serving many years as a registered nurse helping others in long term care facilities. She was an active member of her church and volunteered many hours to vacation bible school and her special ministry and passion of sending cards to members of her congregation for every type of occasion.

Barbara truly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She especially enjoyed taking them to museums and sharing her love of the ballet with them. She will always be their “Grandma Bobbi”.

Barbara is survived by her sister Carol Sinclair Taylor and her four children, Katherine Jesse, Nancy Parker, Duncan Talbot and Alfred Talbot and also by her nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, in addition to many loving relatives and friends.

Barbara will be buried in Adair, Iowa next to her husband. The family wishes to thank all those that cared for her in her last days.

There will be a celebration of life on Thursday August 11, 2022 at the Jefferson Methodist Church, 44th and Kipling, Wheat Ridge, Colorado at 11:00am.

September 24, 1942 – August 1, 2022

Thomas Franklin Settlemyre, 79, passed away August 1, 2022, at his home in Arvada, Colorado.
Tom lived a purpose driven life. He was an avid reader and book collector, and enjoyed spending time outdoors hiking, fishing and going on road trips with his family. He loved coconut cream pie, Elvis records, and had a hearty, joyful laugh and singing voice.

Tom was born in Marion, North Carolina, to Guy and Emma Settlemyre. He was the youngest of three children, having an older sister, Eleanor, and brother, Guy Jr. Tom grew up in Drexel, North Carolina, and lived on a street bearing the family name, Settlemyre Road.

Tom was called to minister to others and make disciples. He attended Anderson University to study religion and ministry. Tom completed a Master of Ministry at Anderson School of Theology and was an ordained Church of God minister. Anderson University is also where he met Janice Settlemyre. They married in 1964 and cherished 56 years together.

Tom had a heart for missions. For over 20 years he regularly organized work camp trips to Guatemala, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago to build churches and schools.

While in Louisiana, he met and spoke with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at a minister’s breakfast. This made a lasting impression on Tom’s life and throughout his ministry.

Tom retired after 50 years of ministry in The Church of God. Tom and Janice served many churches on their journey together: Northwestern Church of God, Detroit, MI; Stone Lake Church of God, Middlebury, IN; South Meridian Church of God, Anderson, IN; 4th Avenue Church of God, Lake Charles, LA; First Church of God, Vincennes, IN; Mt. Scott Church of God, Portland, OR; West Court Street Church of God, Flint, MI; and in retirement attended Parkgate Community Church, Pasadena, TX. Each stop on their journey created lifelong bonds, a legacy of faith, and a life well lived.

Everyone who knew Tom, knew he was a passionate and competitive game player. Competitive might be an understatement. If you ever had the pleasure of stepping on the softball field with him or sitting at a table on game night playing Rook with friends and family, you’ll know what I mean. In addition to playing sports, Tom loved watching them. His favorite teams were typically the ones playing, with the exception of college basketball. He was always rooting for the University of North Carolina.

In retirement, Tom and Janice moved to League City, Texas, to care for Janice’s parents, then headed to Denver, Colorado, to be closer to family. Tom wouldn’t let Parkinson’s get in the way during his time at The Gardens at St. Elizabeth. He not only continued to expand his collection of friends, but also worked to make the community around him more connected.

Tom is survived by his daughter Karla Ferguson and her husband, Jim, of Denver, Colorado. His son Kevin Settlemyre, his wife Suzanna, and their daughter, Lucia, of Arlington, Massachusetts. He was preceded by his wife, Janice Settlemyre, in 2021.

The family will hold a memorial service in Drexel, North Carolina, at a later date.

June 8, 1944 – July 19, 2022

Barbara Stromblad, 78, passed away Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 in Northglenn, Colorado.

Barbara was a light in this sometimes dark world and she will be deeply missed by all that were lucky enough to know her. She touched the lives of so many people across multiple generations. During her time with us, she made a point to always help anyone with whatever she could, never second-guessing her decision. She touched the lives of many people in her fruitful careers and lifetime.

She leaves a huge hole in the hearts of her family and friends who were always entertained by her stories and hilarious sense of humor. She truly brought the life to the party.

Barbara is now at peace, joining her parents and sweet little Marley, her beloved dog.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Barbara, please consider donating to the Foothills Animal Shelter or your local shelter to help provide love for animals as Barbara always did.

November 4, 1952 – July 8, 2022

In Loving Memory of Cheryl Duran

Cheryl Duran of Brighton, Colorado was born in Denver Colorado on November 4th, 1952 to Samuel McHugh and Doris Ann Webb. She passed away on July 8th, 2022 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She was 69 years old.

She is preceded in death by her parents; Samuel and Doris, her siblings; John S. Webb, Carol F. Webb, and Ann D. Webb, and her daughter; Deann D. Duran.

Cheryl leaves behind her husband of 41 years; Moses A. Apodaca, her brothers; Samuel M. Webb, Larry M. Webb, and Gary L. Webb, her sister; Janice A. Sedillo. She is also survived by her son; William J. Duran, and daughter; Dana L. Duran, as well as her Grandchildren; William J. Duran III, Daniel R. Duran, Kaylynn I. Duran, Brianna A. Lucero, Jessica D. Lucero, and her Great-Grandchildren; William J. Duran IV, Meleah, L. Duran, Aaliyah L. Lucero, Lorenzo A. Lucero and Savannah R. Lucero.

Cheryl will be laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery in Brighton, Colorado at a later date.

February 1, 1955 – July 8, 2022

Shayne passed away in the early dawn hours on July 8, 2022 after courageously fighting cancer for a second time. She is survived by her children DaNae, Athena and Jared as well as her four grandchildren McKayna, Declan, Bronson and Preston, her sister Tamara, brother David, son-in-law PJ and brother-in-law Donald and her beloved dogs Maddie, Violet and Daisy.

Born February 1, 1955 to the late Lucion Tennyson and Gladys Fishman in Colorado. She was one of four children and the youngest daughter. She was preceded in death by her sister Devorah. She spent her early childhood in Montrose Colorado and loved being with her Shetland pony and playing outdoors. After her parents divorced her mother and siblings moved to Denver Colorado. It was a difficult transition for a little country girl to attend Kepner Junior High and then Lincoln High School. But she soon met life-long friends who took her in and the rest is history (what happened at Harvey Park stayed at Harvey Park.)

Shayne also known as mom, sister, Bobie, friend and confidant was a one-of-kind woman. At her best she embodied the “Hippy Spirit” kind-hearted, strong and a sturdy soul, she was a fierce defender of the underdog. Shayne had a “heavy-duty” belief in Angels and they could be seen in every corner of her life. She supported several animal charities and loved all things “pigs.” Shayne had a green thumb of remarkable proportions! She enjoyed nurturing her plants and taking care of her three dogs, fish and frogs.

Shayne was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed!

Sometimes an angel

Sometimes a hellraiser

Always a strong woman

–r.h. Sin

November 8, 1947 – July 3, 2022

Paul Femiak was born on November 28th, 1947 To Paul and Stella Femiak in Hammond, Indiana.

Paul passed away on July 3rd, 2022. he was 74 years old.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Stella, as well as his sisters Dolores Tenace and Sandra Williams.

He is survived by his brother, Peter Femiak and his sister Barbara Lehl.

Paul will be remembered for his passion for model cars and his love for oldies on the radio.

A service will be held at a future date followed by burial at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.