October 27, 1953 – March 11, 2023

Born in Flagler, CO to Lawrence and Eunice McElroy, October 27, 1953, to a loving family of nine. Brothers and sisters, include Mickey (Gene) Hase, Margaret (Gary) Hanagan, Patricia, Charolette, Larry (Nancy), Mike, Lester (Diane) McElroy and Kristy (Tony) Ornelas. Nieces, nephews, cousins, too numerous to list but loved deeply.

To encapsulate in a few short paragraphs an amazing husband and father is a daunting task. Each of our sons from our blended marriage has contributed to this notice.

Noah McElroy (Amie), our oldest said, “Dad was always willing to try something new, diving headfirst into a new hobby.” Caleb McElroy, our middle son interjected this, “He never gave up on the people he loved.” James Molde (Amanda) our youngest son added “Mark…a great husband, father, and man. I will love you always Mark. Thank you for the amazing memories. “

Finally, Maureen McElroy, wife. For 27 beautiful years Mark enriched and challenged mine. He fed my soul with his passion for life, nature, adventure, keen intelligence, and humor. His spirit will illuminate my soul forever. He was truly a gift to all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ballard Funeral Home, Cody, WY.

December 11, 1931 – December 18, 2022

Michael Staley Annan of Davao City, Phillipines, died in Pattaya, Thailand on December 18, 2022 at the age of 91 while receiving cancer treatment. Michael was born in Chicago to Mary Louise Staley and John William Keelin and grew up in Lake Forest with his mother and his stepfather, David Hugh Annan. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Monaliza Magdadaro, his brother John William Annan, his sister Barbara Mary Annan, and his grandson Hunter Bode Erlick. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Louise Johnson, Douglas Gorter, and Phaedra Annan. He is preceded in death by his three children; Michael “Bode” Staley Annan Jr., Tina Staley Annan, and Joshua Cosden Annan, and his nephew John Gorter. A private interment was held at the Lake Forest Cemetery in Lake Forest, Illinois on March 15, 2023.

September 21, 1927 – January 1, 2023

The friends and community of the Callahan family are invited to commemorate the life of John Callahan at a reception to be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in the Tiehack Room at the Inn at Aspen.

All are welcome.

October 17, 1935 – March 13, 2023

Louis Dodo, 87, passed away peacefully on 13 March 2023. He was born to Ralph and Donna Dodo and lived his entire life on the West Elk Ranch north of New Castle. He attended a one room school for three years and then completed school in New Castle, graduating in 1953. He spent 2 years in the Army serving in Korea and a few years in Reserves after active duty.
He met the love of his life, Carol Ruggero, near Meadow Lake one fall day and they were married the following spring. They were blessed with three children, Katherine, Kristie and Dominic.

He was a loving and caring but also a quiet private person devoted to his family and the cows he loved. Tears would fill his eyes if he couldn’t save a baby calf but the same man was legendary for his “ability to explain” to mamma cow, kids, horses or dogs exactly how he felt if things didn’t go right.

He was a rancher at heart that loved the land, the cattle and “irrigating”. He would spend hours every day with his horse and shovel making sure every corner was irrigated. He wore out many a shovel handle! Even when sprinklers came into his life he always had a shovel with him. He was a proud patriot and always had a flag flying.

From a one room school to high school in New Castle, from irrigating with a shovel with his horse to sprinklers and 4-wheelers, from haying with a team to swathers and big bales, from plowing snow with a team and an A-Frame to caterpillars and big tractors; he was always “proud” of the fact he never used a computer or a cell phone.

He was a member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Holy Cross Cattlemen’s Association serving as president in 1978-1979 and a member of Farm Bureau.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Donna Dodo, brother Warren Dodo, and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol (Ruggero) Dodo,
Children, Katherine Wanner, Kristie (Dodo) Bean and Dominic (Sara) Dodero.
Grandchildren, Marc Dodero, Sabrina (Ryan) Lahti and Andrew Wanner
Great-grandchildren, Daisy May Lahti and Emmy Lou Lahti.
Sister-in-law, Helen Kay Johnson and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

October 13, 1948 – January 23, 2023

Stephen McDonald passed away at the age of 74 on January 23, 2023 after a brave 2 year battle with cancer. “Mac” was born in Denver, Colorado on October 13, 1948, the son of George and Geraldine McDonald. In 1955 he moved to Omaha, Nebraska and then to Arlington Heights, IL where he graduated high school in 1966. As a kid, he earned his Eagle Scout badge and enjoyed collecting coins. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1971 where he earned a Bachelors degree in business and was a proud member of the SAE fraternity. After college he made his way to Aspen where in 1977, he founded Thurston Kitchen and Bath. Thurston’s thrived and showrooms would expand into multiple Colorado mountains towns and the Denver area. Mac was widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the Colorado kitchen and bath industry throughout his long, distinguished career. His influence extended well beyond Colorado. Numerous manufacturers and many industry trade organizations asked him to serve on advisory committees regarding kitchen and bath trends and product innovations. In this way, he had a massive impact on the industry nationally. Throughout his life, Mac enjoyed skiing, hiking, traveling and sharing great stories. He loved the outdoors, reading, wearing clogs, the ballet, pack trips, long talks with friends, his kids and all things Aspen. He had a huge appreciation for his employees at work as well as the close relationships he built within the kitchen industry. He is survived by his brother Greg, sister Diane, three children Beshka, Chase and Heath, grandchildren Ellis and George and his beloved dog, June. A private celebration of life will be held in Denver and Aspen in the coming months.

December 27, 1921 – March 14, 2023

The world paused on March 14, 2023 with the loss of Edith Erea Hutton after 101 years.

Edith, who goes by “Edie”, “Nana” & “G.G.”, was born on Dec. 27th, 1921, in Valparaiso, IN, and married her sweetheart Earl on Oct. 24, 1943. Her love of skiing led Edie and Earl to move their family to Basalt, CO, in the 1970s. Edie held many local jobs, including 20+ years of service with Aspen Ski Co. As a ticket seller, she became famously known for her irresistible chocolate chip cookies sold to hungry skiers at her ticket window at West and Tiehack Buttermilk!

Edie passed her adventurous spirit and appreciation for the outdoors to her children and grandchildren. Edie taught them how to swim, bike, ski, fish, golf and shared in hiking and 10th Mountain Hut trips.

Eventually seeking a warmer climate, Edie and Earl moved to Grand Junction in 2000. Edie was often asked “what is your longevity secret”. For which she would exclaim, “time with family, eating healthy, staying active and having cocktails every night!” And with that, Edie would always toast: “To health, happiness, peace and love.”

She joins her late husband, soulmate and forever-dance-partner, Earl, in the afterlife journey together. She is survived by 4 children, Thomas, Jerry, Michael, and Shelley; 4 grandchildren, Melissa, Devon, Shannon & Holly, and 2 great grandchildren, Yeela and Landon.

Cherished memories of her will hold a special place in many hearts and minds forever.

June 27, 1933 – March 1, 2023

It is with sadness and treasured memories that we announce that Mary Lynde Price passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 1st at the age of 89. Born in Alexandria, Minnesota, she grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She attended the University of Oklahoma and met her husband, Deak Price while on a college ski trip to Aspen. They married and raised four children in Oklahoma City. Both longed to return to Aspen and in 1981 they finally did so. They were dedicated members of the Aspen community and Christ Church for over 26 years when, due to Deak’s failing health they moved to Denver to be closer to family. In 2019 Mary moved back to the Roaring Fork Valley that she loved so much where she could spend her remaining years.
Mary was passionate about friendships, cooking, art, travel and being in the mountains. What she held most dear was her family. She is survived by her sister Cornelia Haugland, her brother George Lynde Jr. and 3 of her 4 children: Nina, Lucas, and Adams. She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
She will be ever loved and ever missed.
Services to be held at Christ Church in Aspen on Monday March 13th at 11am. Farnum-Holt in Glenwood Springs is handling the funeral arrangements.

December 26, 1968 – February 11, 2023

Oyen’s magnificent light burned out February 11, 2023. May he be wrapped in a blanket of love,peace, and serenity. Oyen will forever be loved by his wife Beth, daughter Aislynn, family and friends. Join us in celebrating Oyen’s life March 10 10:00am at Farnum-Holt Funeral Home. Please consider a donation to Away Out in honor of Oyen.

June 24, 1950 – February 20, 2023

Roger Brown lived his entire life in Colorado, somewhere between reverence and way over the line. He spent 50 years in the valley, changing with the times, but not too much. He loved the mountains and found friendship and love with those who shared this appreciation. He lived for adrenaline but was always steady. He skied 2 million vertical feet with the help of helicopters in Canada. He sailed the high seas of Ruedi and was an Aspen Yacht Club anchor. He enduro raced on the Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit and Pikes Peak, built Ultralights, snowmobiled, hunted birds with his beloved golden retrievers and never failed to be moved or swept up in his beautiful outdoors.

He always found beauty indoors too. Roger was an artist, both trained and self-taught. He was a part of the design team at Comfort Products. He and the team designed boot warmers you’ve surely worn and the Raichle Flexon Tongue boots. The same boots, in fact, that Billy Johnson and Debbie Armstrong wore to win gold in Sarajevo. If there was a metal stand for putting your heart into your work, Roger’s place would be at the top.

But where the engine of Roger Brown redlined most, was in the relationships with those close to him. He was beloved by all he shared stories, ideas, dreams and drinks. He brought love, energy and vinegar to everyone whose lives he touched, but perhaps none more than his family and longtime partner, Geri Wright, sister Kristy Callahan (Danny), brother David Brown (Susan), nephews Taylor Brown (Adrienne), Kevin Brown (Phoebe), Asia Wright (Caleb), Porter and Reece.

Roger was preceded in death by his wife Annie and his beloved mother and father, Milly and Don.

Enjoy the view, Roger!

April 18, 1945 – February 19, 2023

After a long illness Jan Cochran, beloved wife, friend, teacher and supporter of the Aspen community, passed away in her home the morning of February 19, 2023.
Jan was born April 18, 1945, to Harry and Jean McLellan in Aberdeen, Washington. When she was very young her family moved to West Seattle because her father’s work building landing barges for the Pacific coast during World War II was completed. Jan graduated from West Seattle High School in 1963. At the University of Puget Sound she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. A semester abroad in her junior year took Jan to Vienna, where she loved attending opera and eating lemon pastries. While in Europe she traveled to Paris, Rome, Budapest, and Berlin – and was thrilled to ski in the Alps. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1967, Jan wasted no time in coming to Colorado where, in the fall of 1967, she began her first and only career teaching job with Aspen School District. As the years passed, Jan was both shocked and delighted when she discovered some second generations of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders in her classroom. She completed her master’s degree in Remedial Reading at the University of Northern Colorado in 1975. With over 30 years of teaching in Aspen, Jan’s legacy includes hundreds of beloved students and their families. Jan retired from teaching in 2000, but stayed on to mentor teachers and assist as a substitute until 2007. For two years Jan enjoyed teaching Three-Dimensional Art Classes right in her neighborhood at Anderson Ranch.
In her first winter here, Jan decided to take an Abnormal Psychology class in Aspen through Adams State College, where she met a tall, handsome 1960’s ski bum named Ned Cochran. Their friendship began to blossom when they bumped into each other in a lift line on Aspen Mountain. They rode the lift together – and the rest is history. Ned was captured by Jan’s unbridled enthusiasm for skiing and for life. ‘All weather – all trails’ was her motto! Ned was deeply impressed with her passion for/ability to ski. Her radiant smile, her relentless determination, and her happy, energetic personality stole Ned’s heart.
Ned recently came across a love letter he had written to Jan when she went with girlfriends to ski in Jackson Hole one year over spring break. Ned realized the depth of his love for Jan and, although he was afraid to propose for more years than he wants to admit, he finally did. Ned and Jan married on August 18, 1976, in Jan’s parent’s back yard in west Seattle. They honeymooned at a friend’s cabin in Minnesota where their lifelong passion of sailing was born. They returned to Aspen and ‘lived a life of bliss.’ (quote from Ned).
From there on Jan and Ned became faithful volunteers at the Gift Kiosk of the Music Festival, at Dance Aspen, Pitkin Country Library, and at the Ski Swap. Jan was instrumental in securing cross-country ski equipment from Bob Wade for the students in Aspen Elementary School. People were impressed with her great enthusiasm and by the way Jan embraced activities and projects. Jan and Ned served faithfully as Election Judges in Snowmass Village for many years. In 1981 Jan and Ned moved to Snowmass Village where Jan sang in the choir at the Snowmass Chapel and Ned played bells.
Following brain surgery for an AVM, Jan suffered a stroke in 1989, yet her determination ‘and moxy’ (another quote from Ned) helped her to regain speech, strength, and movement. Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease began for Jan in the late 1990’s. Although the Roaring Fork Valley didn’t offer comprehensive Parkinson’s care, Jan’s passion for skiing, her closeness with many friends here, and her love for this valley fueled her desire to remain in Snowmass Village and stay the course. In the following years, Jan’s determination and enthusiasm never wavered. She refused to give in. Tremendous support and loving care from compassionate and skilled physical therapists of Bridging Bionics extended Jan’s mobility improved her quality of life. These dedicated physical therapists accompanied Jan and Ned on their journey with Parkinson’s – the gift of that is immeasurable. Upon Jan’s Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2004, Ned promised he would be at her side, and she would never be alone in facing this disease – a promise he kept until February 19, 2023.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband, Ned, her aunt Roberta Tomkinson, cousins in California, Oregon, Illinois, Texas, West Virginia, and many hundreds of former students and friends. Donations in Jan’s honor and memory may be made to Bridging Bionics, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, or Pathfinders. A celebration of Jan’s life will be held in late spring in Snowmass.