Obituaries

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 8, 2002

VIOLA ANN MERRILL

53, of Colorado Springs, formerly of Greeley, died Friday, January 4, 2002, at University Hospital in Denver, after a long illness. She was born in Greeley on August 13, 1948 to Jess P. and Josie (Pantoja) Gomez. She attended Greeley schools and graduated from Greeley West as the first graduating class in 1966 and University of Northern Colorado in 1970. She moved to Colorado Springs in 1970 where she became a special ed teacher for Harrison District #2. She was a teacher for 32 years. She was honored at a banquet in 1980 for excellence in teaching. She was instrumental in helping the Special Olympics grow in Colorado Springs. Survivors include her husband, John D. Merrill, who she married on August 5, 1972, a son John Mark Merrill, a daughter Jessica Anne Merrill, all of Colorado Springs. Her father Jess P. Gomez of Greeley, sisters Delilah Fiechter and Pearl Gomez, both of Greeley, brothers John J. Gomez of Lakewood and Mike Gomez of Greeley; nieces Francesca Silva, Kristine Roybal, Jillian and Heidi Fiechter, Mariah Griner, Amanda Merrill, Julie Merrill, and Amy Bartley; nephews Andre Gomez and Josh Powers; 1 great-nephew; 5 great-nieces; and numerous aunts,uncles, and cousins. Her mother, Josie Gomez is deceased. She is preceded in death by an infant son who died in 1976. An evening service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Greeley Assembly of God Church, 601 21st Avenue, Greeley. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2002, at the Greeley Assembly of God Church. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

ROBERT A. "MONTE" MONZINGO

Passed away at his home on December 30, 2001. Mr. Monzingo was born in Englewood, CO. to Edward and Helen Monzingo, who are deceased. He was born on February 28, 1924. Mr. Monzingo served in the Navy for four years in WWII and two years in Korea. Mr. Monzingo was in building construction and real estate, before retirement. He is survived by a son Dennis of Ramstein, Germany.

SUSAN JANE GORDON

May 3, 1984 - Jan 4, 2002

Ms. Gordon was born May 3, 1984 in Seoul Korea to Sun OK and Arthur James Gordon. Susan was a senior at Sierra High School and attended Honors classes. She planned to attend the University of Colorado. She attended the Church of All Nations and was active in the youth group. Susan is survived by her parents and her poodle Dancer. Other survivors include her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Korea. Also included are her paternal grandmother Savanah Gordon, Comanche, OK; aunts and uncles: Bill and Brenda Gordon, Perkins, OK; Burt and Betty Solie, Elizabeth Lee, Comanche OK, William and Cindy Gordon Duncan, OK, Art and Mary Casavan, Grand Forks, ND and David and Pamala Dunham, Andarko, OK; 18 cousins. She was preceded by her grandfathers.

ELIZABETH H. CRESAP

Betty Cresap died January 2, 2002. She was born June 19, 1908 in Centerburg, Ohio to Guy and Ethel Hulse. On January 30, 1931 she was married to E. Bland Cresap who died in 1972. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1935 and were owners of the Credit Bureau of Colorado Springs Inc. and Credit Service Company, Inc. until their retirement.

She is survived by her sister, Miriam Niermann, her son Guy Cresap, and her daughter Liz Aikin. Also surviving are daughter-in- law Jinny Cresap, son-in-law Tuck Aikin and grandchildren Lisa Aikin, Evan Cresap, Sara Cresap Possehl and Kristin Aikin.

She was active in many local organizations in both volunteer and leadership capacities including Soroptimist International, the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, P.E.O. Chapter Y, Portia Club, Woman's Educational Society of the Colorado College, Credit Women International, Symphony Guild, Members Volunteer Association of the Fine Arts Center, Rotarianns, Friday Book Club and Reviewers. She was widely known for her book reviews to numerous groups throughout the community over many years.

She will be remembered by her family and friends for her loving nature, her interest in others and her inquiring mind. She was a voracious reader who enjoyed traveling and who always sought knowledge and new experiences.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 2:00 P.M. at the Broadmoor Community Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Women's Educational Society of the Colorado College or the Carnegie Restoration Project at Penrose Public Library.

Dr. MENTOR H. CHRISTENSEN

Dr. Christensen, 82, of Naples, FL, died Saturday, December 29, 2001 at home. He had been a resident of Naples since 1986, having moved from Colorado Springs, CO. "Chris" was born August 16, 1919 in Hendricks, MN, a son of the late Rev. O.L. Christensen and Juditha (Larson) Christensen.

He attended St. Olaf College and the medical school at the University of Minnesota. He served as a flight surgeon in the Air Force during WWII and the Korean War, and was discharged as a Major.

He married the former Laura Mae Carpenter of Minnesota who preceded him in death. He established an orthopedic practice in Colorado Springs for nearly 40 years, serving as chief of staff at Memorial Hospital and setting a high standard for orthopedic care in the area.