OBITUARIES

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 24, 2003

LARRY R. FISHER (YOUNGTHUNDER)

May 3, 1943 ~ July 9, 2003

Larry R. Fisher (Youngthunder), Saginaw Chippewa, passed away on July 9, as a result of injuries incurred in a traffic accident on his reservation in Mount Pleasent, MI. Funeral services took place on July 12, at the Elijah Elk Seventh Generation Cultural Center.

Larry was born to Elijah and Luella Fisher. He was an artist, sculptor, basket maker, silversmith, statesman, warrior, prophet and peacemaker. Although he never married or fathered children, Larry affected many children's lives by developing a curriculum to teach them their Anishinabeg heritage.

Larry lived in Colorado Springs from the 1980's until 2000, when he moved back to his reservation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Larry Fisher Youngthunder Memorial Fund, c/o Binozhii Montessori Cultural Programs Development Fund, Attn: Elizabeth Ballew, 7070 E Broadway, Mt. Pleasent, MI, 48858.

VIOLA SICURELLA QUIMBY

Viola Sicurella was born in 1920 to Italian immigrant parents. She was one of 12 children. Viola graduated as a Registered Nurse from Perth Amboy (NJ) General Hospital in 1942. Shortly after graduation she joined the U.S. Navy as an officer and cared for the sick and wounded sailors during WWII.

After the war and an Honorable Discharge, she left the work force to raise her four children who survive her: Monica (Quimby) McClean and Greg Quimby, Esq. of Colorado Springs; Pete Quimby of Punta Gorda Florida; and Danny Quimby of Reno Nevada. She also leaves seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

During her 50 year career as a nurse she worked for a variety of doctors and hospitals. She finally retired from the Government Printing Office in Washington D.C., in 1993 as an Occupational Health Nurse.

She always had room in her house for any of her four kids or their kids. Her walls were adorned with their pictures. Never did she deny them her time, her money or her home. She never got mad at her kids, even if they were mad at her. She loved kids. She loved her kids. That can't be repeated enough.

Her devotion to her children was so exclusive that it didn't allow for many friends or membership in social clubs. The only exception was the time it took to practice her religion. She was a devout Catholic.

In the end, she was surrounded by all that was important to her. She was in the care of her four kids during her last weeks and she held onto her rosaries. She showed her kids the meaning of unconditional love. She was an inspiration and she will be missed.

RUTH C. VAN ALLMAN

Ruth Charlotta Gertrude Joachim was born July 25, 1918 in Stettin, Germany. She married Alfred Elmer Van Allman on April 11, 1935 who passed away in 1981.

Ruth spent the last year of her life in Tacoma, WA, near her son. As a resident of the Tacoma Lutheran Home, she made many new friends and was loved by all. She had a deep love of the lord and her passing leaves a great void in the lives of all she touched, she will be missed.

She is survived by her two daughters, Jan and DJ, her son Richard and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ruth will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ruth's memory for new "Courtyard Doors" at Tacoma Lutheran Home Foundation, 1301 N. Highlands Parkway, Suite A, Tacoma, WA. 98406-2155.

CAROL JEANNE DANIS

A National Merit Scholar from William J. Palmer High School, Carol J. Danis, 51, formerly of Colorado Springs, died after a lengthy illness, August 15, 2003 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.

She is survived by two local businessmen, brothers Gregory Danis, Danis Asphalt and Benjamin Deis, Heritage Realty and his wife Kim. Her mother, Jeanne Danis Deis, is a former Gazette employee.

Carol was a National Honor Student throughout her attendance at both North Junior HS and Palmer HS. She attended the University of Colorado, Boulder; Lane Community College, Eugene, OR, and earned her B.A. in Accounting from DeVry IT, graduating meritoriously w/Honors, Sigma Beta Delta, in Atlanta, GA. She was just short of receiving her Masters Degree.

Active in the Arts, Carol played Cello w/the CS Youth Orchestra; belonged to the National Thespian Society and was an avid reader. She was a staunch advocate for disadvantaged women and children, and was a long-time member of the Natl Assn. for Female Executives (NAFE).

A veteran employee of RTM, Carol rose through the ranks as an Arbys Manager, Staff Trainer and Troubleshooter, and finally to the Corporate Accounting Department, receiving dozens of awards along the way. She also served in Management and as a Staff Trainer for both Hardee's and El Chico restaurants around the country.

Last fall, Carol moved to Franklin, NE, from Norcross, GA, to be nearer her family while recuperating from a string of illnesses.

Carol was born July 9, 1952 in San Antonio, TX, to Jeanne Lamar and AF Cpt. Armand Danis (deceased). She is survived by her mother Jeanne Deis; sister Diana Danis & her husband Brad Brown, all of Bloomington, NE; brother Michael Danis & his wife Betty of Frisco, CO; brother Galen Danis and his wife Karen of Bremerton, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.