January 5, 1998 – April 10, 2024

Our beloved son, Alexander Robert Brownell, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2024. He was 26 years young.

Our family is profoundly saddened. Our hearts are broken. Our lives are changed forever. Alex was our one and only and he meant the world to us. He had a kind heart and a smile for everyone. Friends loved his humor and willingness to try new adventures.

Born in Russia January 5th, 1998 and raised in Colorado, he learned to ski and play hockey at an early age. He graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2016, then continued on to Colorado State University and Front Range Community College where he earned a degree in Architectural Drafting and CAD Design. Alex was a great traveler, exploring National Parks and coastlines. He enjoyed camping, hiking and visiting monuments and museums; inquisitively soaking it all in.

He is survived by those who loved him most including his mother Julie,and his father Greg; grandparents, Bernie & Lyni Masztakowski, and Brenda Brownell; great uncle Don Brownell, aunt Jacque & uncle Jon Mastakowski, and aunt Sara & uncle Doug Osmak; as well as many other loving extended family members and wonderful friends. He is predeceased by his grandfather, Robert Brownell and grandmothers, Barbara Masztakowski and Jodi Schram.

A Celebration of Alex’s Life will be held on a date yet to be determined. Treasured memories of Alex and words of condolence for his family are welcome at www.resthavencolorado.com.

We will love you forever you beautiful young man….

June 11, 1959 – March 22, 2024

Jennifer Lynn Isbill passed away on March 22nd, 2024 at the age of 64 in the presence of her loving family, her husband Sevier Bonnie, daughter Katherine, son G. William, and mother Ellie Isbill. Her sister Julie Isbill and nephew Kenan Van Vranken were en route to Colorado. Jennifer joined her beloved and much missed father H.G. Isbill. After a brave and long-fought battle with cancer, her spirit met the perfect spring day – tulips in the garden, sun on snowcapped peaks – and she departed this world.

Jennifer was an artist, naturalist and disciple of all that is beautiful and joyous in this world, dutifully breaking trail to her wooded tea house, collecting heart-shaped stones, caring for the trees and plants in her garden, painting, drawing, writing and observing. She blessed the lives of those around her with the vibrant energy of a song, a dance, a whip-smart cowboy wisdom inherited from her father. She was devoted to raising her children and leading her family in beauty. Every celebration and exploration sparkled with her care, infused with a spiritual appreciation for and understanding of humanity and Earth.

A deep, life-long connection to the West began in her childhood, raised in Denver and Steamboat Springs, and continued throughout her life in her affinity for the desert landscapes of the Southwest. Jennifer was a dedicated and generous devotee of environmental movements, and an intuitive feeler and seeker in the natural world. She spent countless hours adventuring on skis, hiking and walking in these favorite places, and traveling abroad with her family, and husband Sevier. Her innate understanding of place and presence grounded her architecture practice – a B.A. from Bennington College, a year at London’s Architectural Association, an M.A. from CU Denver, and a Colorado architect’s license, all of which allowed her to envision and bring to life two masterpiece family homes.

Jennifer’s spunk, prolific genius, and endless creativity in thought and action will be sorely missed, a gap which her family and friends will fill with her memory and the many gifts they have inherited through her love. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in support of the Denver Botanic Gardens and the funding of a tree dedication in Jennifer’s name at https://www.botanicgardens.org/tribute-memorial-gifts.

– December 31, 2023

Jeffrey Dean “J.D.” Johnson, a long-time resident of Steamboat Springs, died of natural causes at his winter residence in Florida on December 31,2023. J.D. was the beloved son of William G. and Victoria F. Johnson and is survived by his brother, Michael, of Chicago, Illinois. J.D. lived in Steamboat for over 40 years and was an FM radio announcer and bartender for some time. His cremains will be interred, as he wished, in the family plot in Fairmount, Indiana, at a date which will be published later.

November 21, 1990 – March 17, 2024

Catherine (Catie) Joan O’Brien passed away March 17th, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at Olympian Hall in Steamboat Springs on May 4th, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm.

November 21, 1990 – March 17, 2024

Catie O’Brien of Steamboat Springs passed away peacefully in her sleep March 17th.

A group ski from Sunshine Peak to Los Locos via Storm Face, Rainbow, and Vagabond (runs subject to snow coverage) will be held in Catie’s honor on April 13th.  

We will meet at the base of the Wild Blue Gondola at 1:00pm – or see us at Los Locos around 2pm if not partaking in the ski. 

Please don one of Cate’s favorite colors – pink, purple, and/or periwinkle.

A celebration of life for Catie is scheduled for May 4th in Steamboat at Olympian Hall.

– March 31, 2024

Matthew “Matt” Brian Horacek, age 67, of Sioux Falls, SD, and formerly of Yankton, SD, passed away on March 31, 2024. He will be deeply missed and remembered fondly by his family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Matt was born and raised in Yankton, SD, where he was a gifted football player in his high school and college years.

Matt moved to Sioux Falls, SD, in 2006, where he worked for the Good Samaritan Society for over 15 years as a dedicated employee.

It is difficult to capture Matt’s essence in words – he had a profound love for life and those around him. Kind, caring, considerate, full of laughs, and so, so much love. Matt was always one to check on and support those around him. A good friend, a great son and brother, and a devoted and compassionate Dad and Grampie.

Matt will be remembered for his contagious smile, his witty sense of humor, his passion for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and all things sports; as well as his love for baking with (and spoiling) his granddaughters. His greatest gift was the warmth that he shared with those around him.

His presence will be greatly missed, but his memory will forever remain alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation to help support a love for the outdoors that Matt enjoyed for so many years and held close to his heart.

Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Sarah (Tanner Schoenhard) Horacek of Sioux Falls, SD; his son, Mason Horacek of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughters, Elliot and Porter Schoenhard; sisters, Lynne (Doug) Nelson of Yankton, SD, Mary (Andy) Echtermeyer of Hill City, SD, Lisa Horacek of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Margaret (Jay Walsh) Stewart of Yankton, SD; brother, Jamie (Heidi Immel) Horacek of Pocatello, ID; and many dear relatives and friends.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Dolores (Almond) Horacek and brother, Luke Horacek.

www.georgeboom.com

December 24, 1952 – January 15, 2024

Karin Comeau passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Junction, CO. after a courageous battle with cancer. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 2:00 pm MT, at the Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church (736 Oak St). A reception will follow. For those that cannot join in person, the celebration will be streamed via the church’s website (www.heartofsteamboat.com, church services, livestreamed services).

January 26, 1927 – March 15, 2024

Dorothy Lidecker Hussey, of Glenview, IL passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on March 15, 2024. Dorothy, lovingly known by her childhood nickname of Dodo, was the beloved wife of the late Frank L. Hussey, Jr., M.D.; fond mother of Frank III, New Trier-1967 (Gail) of Wilmette, IL; Sharon Handler, New Trier-1968 (David) of Granite Bay, CA; William, New Trier-1971 (Donyce) of Houston, TX; and Michael, New Trier-1976 (Monica) of Albuquerque, NM; loving sister of the late Mary Buenger (Richard) and the late Robert Lidecker (Nancy). She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Brittany Handler Toft (Kenneth), CA; Lauren Handler, CA; Ashley Hussey, CO; Alanna Hussey Polinski (Michael), IL; Caroline Hussey, TX; Matthew Hussey (Chelsey), TX; and Martin Hussey, TX; and four great-grandchildren: Aaron & Franklin Toft, CA; Riley Dunkle, CO and Lawson Hussey, TX.

Dorothy spent her childhood in Kenilworth, IL, raised by her parents Bernadette and Valentine Lidecker. She attended Joseph Sears School, New Trier H.S. and Culver-Stockton College.

Dorothy’s priority was caring for her family, which she did with love and dedication, teaching her children and grandchildren many of life’s lessons along the way. Throughout her life she enjoyed playing many sports including tennis, golf, ice skating, platform tennis and skiing. She and Frank spent many winters and summers in Steamboat Springs, CO, truly their “happy place”, where they both skied until age 80! After age 80, she continued to snowshoe on the hills around her Colorado home. Quiet moments for Dorothy were spent doing needlepoint, knitting and quilting. Dorothy was also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Steamboat Springs, CO. She was a member of Michigan Shores Club, Wilmette and Skokie Country Club, Glencoe. She was also a member of the Over the Hill Gang, Steamboat Springs, CO.

Dorothy continued to take walks daily into her 90s. She was well known for strolling the neighborhood sidewalks around the Vi at the Glen, where she and Frank had lived since 2001.

She was a great lover of people, making and keeping many friends wherever she went. She loved social gatherings and was a master conversationalist who was never at a loss for words. She will be greatly missed by her family, extended family and her many friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Pinky Bulatao, Dorothy’s devoted caregiver as well as to the nursing staff at the Vi and Suncrest Hospice, who all gave her compassionate care and comforted her family as they could not always be present.

A funeral service and celebration of life will be held Friday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Comforter, 222 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth, IL. Interment will be private. A luncheon will follow at a location to be announced at the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Strings Music Festival. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990.

03/04/1947-02/14/2024
David Herz, a Paonia resident of 23 years, died February 14, 2024 from complications of a stroke.

David was born in Mount Kisco, NY, to Edwin Herz and Elsie (Salomon) Herz. He grew up in North Stamford, Connecticut. After graduating from high school, David moved to Colorado Springs to attend Colorado College where he majored in art.

He was soon drawn by the mountains of Steamboat Springs and his love of Nordic skiing, and he left college behind. His love of sailing fueled a dream of building boats, and although he never realized that goal, he built a beautiful shop building on his property at the base of Buffalo Pass; it was forever referred to as the “Boathouse at Buffalo Bottom”.

David met his wife, Pam Ellison, in the Cameo bar, Steamboat’s local watering hole. They married in 1980, and spent the next 43 years together.

David acquired the construction skills that he used for the rest of his life, working as a county building/zoning inspector, a carpenter, a concrete finisher, and a stucco contractor. He created beautiful furniture. His athletic pursuits included rock climbing, Nordic and Alpine/Telemark skiing and running rivers in his kayak.

In retirement, in 1999, Pam convinced Dave to buy a farm in Paonia. He agreed reluctantly as his dream was to “die riding the ski lift”. He quickly embraced the farming life and the satisfaction of learning new skills and the challenge of bringing on old farm back to production. Neighboring farmers soon became friends and liberally shared their knowledge and experience with David.

David was generous with his time and energy, always willing to contribute to the community. He served on the Stewart Ditch Water Board for several years; soon after he joined the Stewart Mesa Domestic Water Board where he served as President for many years. During his tenure, he helped improve the aging infrastructure to make the system more reliable.

One of Dave’s many interests was reading, especially in American history. He was drawn to books about the Civil War and its aftermath, but his special interest was the lead up to World War II and the war itself. He and Pam traveled to Normandy in 2012 to visit the landing beaches where the Allied Invasion took place and the Holocaust museums.

David genuinely liked people, (and loved his dogs!) and enjoyed being supportive of friends and strangers alike. He was enthusiastic and always optimistic, wanting the world to be a better place for all. He greeted everyone with a smile, and when he asked how you were doing, he really wanted to know.

David is survived by his wife Pam, a sister Alexandra Herz of Florida; a sister Elizabeth Ferris of California; a niece and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, be kind to someone today.

August 4, 1946 – March 18, 2024
Robert Lloyd Rundell passed peacefully in the care of hospice at home with his wife and daughter, Cindy, by his side. Bob struggled with Alzheimer’s and had significant decline cognitively the past couple months. Bob was born August 4, 1946 in Butte, Montana to Leona Gibson Rundell and Robert N Rundell, and spent his childhood there along with his older sister Nancy. He graduated from Butte high school in 1964 and went on to graduate from Montana University, Dillon, MT, in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. He received his Master of Education at Central Washington State College in 1975. He began his teaching career in Moses Lake Washington and in 1974 moved to Deer Park Washington where he was Principal of the Elementary school for 23 years.

He loved being a principal, working with children, and was a positive influence in many lives. In 1987, he and his wife Bert wrote and published a school curriculum, Kids Care, focused on building safe environments within school settings. He pursued consulting and trainings around this issue with other school districts. After retiring in 1998, Bob and his wife moved to Steamboat Springs, CO, where, with his wife and stepson, Dustin, he built and owned the Grease Monkey/Big O complex at the west end of town. Bob loved living in Steamboat where he enjoyed skiing and biking.

Everyone who skied with him knew there would be chocolate twizzles in his pocket for treats on the chair lift. He was very involved in the Steamboat community and in Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church. In January 2022, Bob and Bert left Steamboat for Wind Crest in Highlands Ranch, where there was support and programs to help Bob live a productive life with Alzheimer’s. His last two years were challenging but he participated in great programs that gave him a full happy life. He loved his grandchildren and everyone knew there was always ice cream in the freezer to share with them.

Bob always had a passion for animals and his goal at Wind Crest was to pet every dog. You would see him often on his knees with a dog, being the loving gentle soul he was. Bob was preceded in life by his stepson Dustin Dahlin and his sister Nancy Geschke. He will be greatly missed by his wife Roberta (Bert) Rundell, his Steamboat family, Terry Maddison, Michelle House, Kori Dahlin Shafer, Wyatt Harding (Savanah), his grandson, Morgin Harding, granddaughter, Harley, Dani, William, Great grandchildren, Kenny Ferrier, Wyntir Long, Jesse Ferrier, grandson, and his many friends at Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church.

He will also be greatly missed by his Spokane Washington family, daughters, Cindy Daffern, Cathy Reynolds (Josh), Julie Gallagher (Charles) grandchildren Justin Daffern, Jace Daffern, Amelie Reynolds, Asher Reynolds, Sean Gallagher, Daric Sage (Kristi) and Jensen and Parker Sage, great grandchildren.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held May 30, 2024 at the Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bob’s name to Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church or to Routt County Humane Society.