Obituaries

     Ladies of the Household   

RATHGEBER SCHWARTZMAN -- Gertrude (Gertie) passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2010. A lifelong resident of Albuquerque. Gertie was born in Albuquerque in 1922.

She was preceeded in death by both of her husbands Alfred L. Schwartzman and William D. Rathgeber; her son Alfred Schwartzman Jr.; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Dotson; her granddaughter Lesley Garringer; her sisters, Dorothy Magatagan and Mabel Baggett; her brothers, James Ralph Dotson Jr. and William S. Dotson.

She is survived by her son Gary Schwartzman and his wife Sherrell; her brother Phillip P. Dotson and wife Marilyn of Ponca City, Oklahoma; her step-sons and step-daughter Lt. Col. William Rathgeber (Ret) and wife Cathy, and Col. David Rathgeber (Ret) and his wife Insuk, Col. Susan Voveris (Ret) and husband Lt. Col B.J. Voveris. (Ret); She is also survived her grandchildren, Maj. J. Charles Schwartzman (Ret) and wife Geri, Amy Schwartzman Nolker and husband Don, Maryjanet Carrasco and husband Chris; She also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and other family members.

Gertie was active in many organizations: Daughters of the Nile, Eastern Star, past member of the Albuquerque Assistance League, she was on the boards of Christina Kent Nursery and All Faiths Receiving Home. She was a member of the Albuquerque Country Club, Nine Hole Golfers, and lifelong member of United Central Methodist Church. She was an outstanding homemaker, wonderful cook and loved to travel with her Husbands.

Friends and Family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, a funeral service will be held for Gertie on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church at 1615 Copper NE, burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ballut Abyad Shrine Transportation Fund at 6600 Zuni Rd. SE 87108 or Central United Methodist Church at 1615 Copper NE. Please visit our online guestbook for Gertie at RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500

HILL -- Helen Beede Hill. Helen was born in Bogue, Kansas April 15, 1910 and died peacefully in Northampton, Massachusetts February 8, 2010. She was the daughter of Walter Dillard Chiles (1884-1966) and Eva May Ellis Chiles (1890-1985). During Helen's early years, the family moved to the tiny towns of Moffatt, Colorado and then Espanola, New Mexico, where Helen's father owned the towns' earliest banks. As a sign of the true length and breadth of Helen's life, her family was the first in Espanola to have an automobile. The family moved to Albuquerque for Helen and her sister to attend high school since there was not yet one in Espanola. After graduating from Albuquerque High School Helen was one of the few women who entered the University of New Mexico in 1928.

In 1929 she married Ivan Beede (1908-1967) and they had their son Laurence Ivan (Larry) in 1933. The family enjoyed life in and around a much smaller Albuquerque, and exploring the beauty of northern New Mexico on fishing and camping trips. Helen was also a mean Bridge player and was unnaturally lucky in any raffle, game of chance, or horse race. Helen was sadly widowed after 38 years of marriage, but was then blessed to enjoy over 30 years of marriage to her second husband, John Hill (1907-2004), Ivan's best friend.

The Hills enjoyed a busy social calendar and loved to entertain. Both of them enjoyed playing golf at an amateur competitive level, often at the Albuquerque Country Club where they were members of long standing. Helen didn't learn to play golf until she was 57, but ended up winning tournaments and playing into her 90's The Hills took special interest in their many world travels. They were able to see every continent except Antarctica. Helen had hoped to visit that continent with her great grandson, Ivan, for her 100th birthday.

Helen was a long time and active member of the First Methodist Church of Albuquerque, Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. Following John's death she continued to live in their apartment at The Woodmark until 2008 when she moved to Northampton, Massachusetts to be closer to her family, much to their delight. She enjoyed her apartment, friends and the special care she received at Rockridge Retirement Community. The family is all grateful for the exemplary care she received in her last months at Linda Manor. Helen's life, all 99 years and ten months of it, provided her wonderful stories of the great adventures and changes that have shaped our world in the past century. Helen will be fondly remembered by generations of friends and extended family for her kindness, conviviality, love of travel, and her ability to always save room for dessert. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to either New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, PO Box 9, Belen, NM, 97002, or Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607.

WARDLOW -- Arlene Elizabeth Wardlow, 90, passed away on June 23, 2009. She was born January 28, 1919, in Farmington, Minnesota, daughter of Mabel P. and Andrew W. Schultz, where they lived on a farm until she was 14. They moved to Columbus Junction, Iowa during the depression. She graduated from High School in 1937 in Grandview, Iowa. And then went on to graduate from business school in Davenport, Iowa in 1938. Arlene married Jay C. Wardlow on October 1, 1940 in Calon, Panama after taking a fruit boat from New Orleans with a stop in Havana, Cuba on her way there.

After WWII, they lived all over the US before settling in Albuquerque in 1954, including Quantico, Virginia; Baltimore; Maryland, Oxnard, CA. Arlene lived on Snow Heights for 45 years before moving to Bear Canyon Estates. She worked at Sandia Labs as a secretary until the adoption of Charlene in 1957. They adopted a second child, Wayne in 1960.

She is survived by her daughter, Charlene L. Wardlow, of Reno, NV; son, Wayne J. Wardlow, of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Vanessa Garcia and husband Augustine, Isaac Wardlow, Christina Davis and husband Carlos, all of Albuquerque, NM, Jay Wardlow, of New Zealand; Nieces, Judy Geilenfeldt and husband Bob, of Albuquerque, NM, Kris Wilson and husband Fred, of New Braunfles, TX, Melissa Coman and husband Greg, of Boise, ID; nephews, Andy Schultz and wife Tamara, of Braunfles, TX, and Robert Runge, of San Diego, CA. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sister, Bernice Runge; a companion, Bill Rose; and her brother, Andrew M. Schultz.

Arlene was a past worthy matron and 50 year member of San Marcial Chapter #34, Order of the Eastern Star, member of St. John's United Methodist Church, and the Yucca Temple #74, Daughter's of the Nile. A special thanks goes to Heartland Hospice for the wonderful care they provided mom over the last two and a half years. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent in Arlene's honor to Shriners Hospital For Children, c/o Ballut Abyad Shaine, 6600 Zuni Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 or Heartland Hospice, 4001 Indian School Rd., Ste # 300, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Services will be held Saturday, July 11, 2009, at St. John's United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. A private family Burial will be held at Sandia Memory Gardens. Those who wish to express condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com Arlene's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd, NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010

CLAUSNER -- Ilse Cohn Clausner, long-term resident of Albuquerque and member of Congregation Albert, passed away peacefully Friday, March 20, 2009, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ilse was born on December 6, 1907 in Bochum, Germany. She studied music before being one of three women to graduate from law school in Koln, Germany. In 1935, with her husband, Alfred, and son, Frederick, she escaped Nazi Germany and immigrated to the United States. In 1964, Ilse and Alfred moved to Albuquerque to be near Fred and his family. They joined Temple Albert and the Jewish Community Center, and she later served on the board of both organizations.

She was also an active member of the Daughters of the Nile where, as with Temple Albert, she was in the choir. In 2005, Ilse entered an assisted living residence in Colorado Springs. During her extraordinary century of life, she witnessed many events, overcame many challenges, and touched the lives of countless people. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Alfred Cohn and Herman Clausner; her son, Frederick; and her sister, Edith Felsenthal. She is survived by her granddaughter, Janice Dinner of Phoenix; her grandsons, Larry Cohn, of Colorado Springs, and Robert Cohn of Washington, DC; along with eight great-grandchildren, Scott, Brett, and Bryan Dinner, Cecelia, Kate, and Ben Cohn, and Rachel and Matt Cohn.

CONWELL -- Kathleen E. Conwell, age 78 of Albuquerque, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at a local facility. She was born May 25, 1930 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to John Jr. and Edith Mann. She married Kenneth L. Conwell, Sr. on September 12, 1947 in Albuquerque.

Kathleen was a graduate of Albuquerque High School, she was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, and was Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of K.L. Conwell Corp. for over 50 yrs. Kathleen is survived by her husband of 61 years Kenneth L. Conwell, Sr.; her son, Kenneth L. ConwelI II; her daughter, Pamela Whitfield and her husband, Daryl; one grandson, Shawn Michael Whitfield; her sister, Betty Dykes; and several nieces and nephews, all of Albuquerque. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Floyd and Oscar Mann.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, Attn: Executive Director, P.O. Box 26666, 87125-6666 (on your donation please specify Presbyterian Hospice) or to Albuquerque Humane Association of NM, 615 Virginia SE, 87108. Please visit our online guestbook for Kathleen at RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

CRAWFORD -- Joan Laraway Crawford, 89, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 in Albuquerque. Born in Catskill, New York, on December 25, 1919,

Joan has been a resident of Albuquerque since 1927, when her family moved here from New York because of her father's health. She was the daughter of the late Frances W. and W. Mace Laraway. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanette Ross Attaway and husband, Robert of Punta Gorda, FL; her twin sister, Jean Laraway Summers; nieces, Jan Lewis and husband, Donald and their daughters, Kendra Hensley and husband, Michael, and Kelsey Chiotti and husband, David; Judi von Gaia and her son, Brandon, and friend, Valerie Stepiens. Joan attended grade school in Albuquerque and was in the first class of the former Sandia School for Girls, now known as Sandia Preparatory School. She attended Junior High School in Syracuse, NY and High School in Albuquerque and St. Petersburg, FL where she graduated in 1937. Joan then went to UNM and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and graduated in 1941. She was an accomplished soprano and sang in the University Quartet. She also gave evening performances at UNM and on occasion was a soloist for the Symphony. Upon graduation, she and her sister, Jean, were owners of the Electronic Amusement Company in Albuquerque. On April 2, 1943, Joan married William A. Ross and they had two children, Jeanette and William Jr. She was preceded in death by William Sr. in 1949 when he was flying for the Air Force Reserves and by William, Jr. of Cincinnati, OH in 1988. She married Richard W. Crawford, owner of the Crawford Insurance Agency in Albuquerque on March 5, 1955. He preceded her in death in 1998. Joan was owner and publisher of the Health City Sun newspaper for 25 years and was listed in Who's Who of American Women for her newspaper publishing. She belonged to the Albuquerque Country Club; Women's Golf Association; Honored Ladies of Ballut Abyad Shrine; and Daughter's of the Nile, where she was Past Captain and Past President of the Patrol.

Services will be held Friday, February 20, 2009, 1:00 p.m., at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. NE, with Dr. Steve McElroy officiating. Cremation has taken place and cremated remains will be interred at Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL. Memorials may be made to the Shrine Ballut Abyad Center, Crippled Children's Transportation Fund, 6600 Zuni Rd. SE, 87108, Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. NE, 87106, Vista Care Hospice, 5639 Jefferson St. NE, 87109, or a charity of your choice.

WERNER -- Mary Werner, 89, wife of Colonel Crowell B. Werner, passed away February 8, 2009. She was born January 1, 1920 in Dayton, Ohio to Oscar Benjamin and Ella Giele Reemelin.

Mary graduated from Oakwood High School and Western University. In May 1946, she married her husband and spent 25 as a military wife at various Air Force bases throughout the U.S., including Kirtland AFB from 1965-1968. Upon her husband's retirement in 1971, they returned permanently to Albuquerque. She was an active golfer and bridge player at Tanoan Country Club and was a band member of the Daughters of the Nile. Survivors include her loving husband; three sons, Michael and wife Jo Karen, Derby, KS, Lt. Col (AF retired) Patrick, Waltham, MA, Jeffery A. and wife Susan Lasko, Santa Cruz, CA; brother, Robert E. Reemelin, Dayton, OH; and four granddaughters; plus four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Benjamin G. Reemelin of Oak Park, FL.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, February 28, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., at the Ballot Abyad Shrine Center. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund with the Ballot Abyad Shrine Transportation Fund, 6600 Zuni SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.

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