Spring 2011
Mary Ann Blackwell passed away in December of 2010 at the Life Care Center of Evergreen. She was born in
Oklahoma in 1932 and graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class in 1950. She later married Ben
Blackwell and they moved from Tulsa to Idaho Springs with their three children, all of whom are graduates of
CCHS, in 1960. Mary kept the books for the family business, a Phillips 66 station at 13th and Miner, for many
years. Ben passed away in 1996. Mary is survived by her children Bruce '69, Caryl (Voelker) '71, and Brian
'73, as well as a brother and sister and several nieces and nephews.
Joyce Eileene (Wagner) Crow '51 of Dumont passed away on October 20, 2010. Although she was born in
Nebraska, Joyce graduated from ISHS in 1951. Her parents were Mildred and Ray Wagner. Joyce and her
husband Lester moved to Englewood in 1969. She loved cooking and baking and worked at an Albertsons
grocery store. She returned to Clear Creek County due to illness and was cared for by her family. Joyce is
survived by her sisters, Marianne Bohannon and Bonnie Hunt '53 of Dumont, and three nephews.
James W. (Bill) Fitzgerald, who was a longtime resident of Idaho Springs, passed away at his Evergreen home in
February of 2011. His burial service included military honors provided by the U.S. Navy, since Bill served during
WWII as a Seaman First Class in China, India and Burma. A Colorado native, Bill was born in Aguilar and
graduated from high school in Boulder. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Enright, in 1946. They
later moved to Idaho Springs, where they owned and operated the Peoriana Motel for 25 years. Bill is survived
by Barbara and their three children, Jim '66, Cindy (Hester) '67, and Jerry '69, as well as many grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
Evelyn Grenfell passed away recently. She was the wife of Jim Grenfell '49, and had been a teacher in the
Clear Creek County school system.
Richard A. (Rick) Hodgson '71, son of Warren and Marjorie Hodgson, passed away on December 4, 2010, at
Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge. Rick was raised in Idaho Springs. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid
antique collector and dealer. For the past few years, Rick worked at the Heritage Museum and Visitor Center in
Idaho Springs. He is survived by his mother and a son, as well as his brothers Randy '73 of Walden, Colorado,
and Rock '77 of Eaton. Rick was preceded in death by his father and a daughter.
Toby Plank spent his years as a youngster in Idaho Springs, where he lived at the west end of town and walked
to the elementary school each weekday. He was a big fan of his older brother, Tony '86, who played sports
with the Golddigger teams. Toby moved to southern California during his high school years. One of his
passions was competing in lacrosse, and he returned to Colorado to coach the Evergreen Cougar lacrosse team
until his death from cancer late in 2010. Toby was only 36 at his passing and is survived by a loving wife, two
young daughters, an extended family, and many friends.
We have received word of the passing of Walter Taylor '59.
Long time Idaho Springs resident, Edward (Blaine) Thomas, passed away on December 17, 2010, at the age of
84. Blaine grew up on a farm in Littleton and went to school with his wife, Rose, from the time they were in
third grade. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, and he and Rose married two years later. In
1953, they started a trucking business, Clear Creek Transportation, along with Kenneth Trenberth. Blaine was
very active in the community, spending time on the city council, school board, and Clear Creek Metropolitan
Recreation District Board. He belonged to the local fire department for 20 years. He is survived by Rose and
their three children, Steve '68, Linda '71, and Lorraine '73, along with eight grandchildren and nine great-
grandchildren.
Cornelia H. (Connie) Trenberth was born and raised in California, where she met her husband Kenneth at Camp
Roberts while she was working the army commissary. They married in 1945 and moved to Idaho Springs soon
afterward, where they celebrated their 65th anniversary shortly before Connie passed away in December of
2010. Connie was active in the United Church, PEO and Social Ethics club. She enjoyed being a homemaker,
but worked at times for Clear Creek Auto Supply, Clear Creek Transportation, and Montgomery Ward. She was
preceded in death by one of her sons, Jerry '69, and is survived by two others, Bill '71 and Jim '76, and their
families, as well as her loving husband Kenneth, and Jerry's wife and son.
Robert J. Warmack taught and coached for 28 years at Clear Creek High School, where he was nationally
recognized as a "We the People" mentor. Bob bravely fought cancer and passed away in December 2010, after
suffering a fall at his Idaho Springs home. He was passionate about teaching, and touched the lives in a positive
way of everyone who was lucky enough to have been his student, colleague or friend. He is survived by his
wife, Susan, and their two children, Zackary and Rebecca, as well as one brother and sister and a large extended
family.
Roger A. White '67 lived most of his 62 years in Idaho Springs and passed away on October 18, 2010. Roger
worked with the Adolph Coors Company for 35 years and retired in 2003. He enjoyed outdoor activities and
was involved in volunteer work locally with the Elks Club and the I.S. Project Support Senior Center, where was
recognized in 2008 for his service with the first award given by the organization. The Senior Center plans to
memorialize Roger's service by putting his name on the side of their donation truck. Roger is survived by three
children, five grandchildren and two brothers, Rover White of Lawson and Ronald White of Commerce City.
Marilyn E. Ferrell, 81 Beloved Mom Marilyn E. Ferrell, 81, who was born in Idaho Springs, passed April 29,
201l.
She was the daughter of Walter and Evelyn Robertson and was preceded in death by her husband, John T.
Ferrell, mother Evelyn Robertson, father Walter Robertson Sr. and her brother Walter• Robertson Jr.
She was born Idaho Springs, married John T. Ferrell on June 20, 1946, and lived there until she moved to
Lakewood in 1985. She entered the Idaho Springs Chapter 151 Order of the Eastern Star on March 1, 1949, and
was grand organist for the state of Colorado from 1971 to 1972. Early in her years she worked at Dot's Dress
Shop, was part-owner of the Conoco Station and accountant until she went to work as a bank teller at First
State Bank, then moved to Lakewood, where she was a bank teller at Wells Fargo Bank.
The most important position of her life was being a mother, at which she was magnificent; she was thought of
most highly by her children and grandchildren. She was a very special individual with loving ways and gracious
understanding to all her family and friends. She never knew an enemy and was always open and friendly with
everyone she met and made people feel warm with laughter.
Loving survivors include her two children, Jerry and wife Glenna, Cynthia and husband Jerry Rinehart, and son-
in-law Jerry Miller; sister-ill-law Beverly Robertson; grandchildren Tracey Haley,]effery Miller, Jerad Ferrell,
Sherry Gorman and Shelly Ferrell; and seven great-grandchildren.
William J. 'Bill' Menzies
William J. "Bill" Menzies of Georgetown passed away peacefully on Thursday April 21, 2011 at a care facility in
Oshkosh, Neb. He was 90.
Mr. Menzies was preceded in death by his wife, Laura, and his daughter, Janice Diane. Mr. Menzies is survived
by his children, Billie (Menzies) Pyzel of Albuquerque, N.M., Donya (Menzies) Hughes of Colorado Springs,
Margaret (Menzies) House of Lewellen, Neb., and Robert Menzies of Georgetown. Mr. Menzies is also survived
by numerous grandchildren and great¬grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be at a later time.