Lauretta Fern Burpo

Laureta Ferne Burpo passed away in her Pueblo home surrounded by her loving family on February 15, 2012. Laureta is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Sam; children, Walter J. (Jeania) Maddux of Pueblo, Stanley G. (Marcella) Maddux of Pagosa Springs, CO, Peggy (Michael) Stong of St. Charles, MO; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother, Lytle (Evelyn) Gaskill of New Braunsfels, TX; brother-in-law, John (Dolores) Boyd of Canon City, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Effie (Weeks) Gaskill; sister, Leah France; and first husband, Raymond Maddux. Laureta was a loving wife, mother and loved all her grandchildren. She was perplexed and often dwelled on the deaths in her family; grand-daughters, Yvette Sue and Cindy Maddux; great-grandchildren; infant, Krystin, and Jacob Maddux. Also by her brother’s children, Chris, Lynn and Jeffrey Gaskill and her sister Leah’s baby, Ricky. Laureta began life in Post Falls, Idaho and spent most of her young life on the west coast of California before moving to Alamosa, CO. She had a busy life, raising her family with her 1st husband on their ranch in Alamosa. She loved the rural lifestyle and cooking. She prepared and cooked for as many as 17 ranch hands at one setting. She was praised for her fine cuisine and was famous for her rhubarb-strawberry and apple walnut pies and poor man cake. Her gardens were always in bloom with fresh herbs, vegetables, flowers and fruit trees. She also loved horseback riding and loved her pets, owning seven dogs over the years, including her Maltese, “Tinker Belle,” who survives her. In 1970, Laureta moved to Pueblo and married Samuel Kenneth Burpo, where they owned and operated the Rocky Mountain Distributors, Inc. They were in business 24 years before retiring. They were the best of friends and loved each other greatly. Laureta loved riding snowmobiles and motorcycles. She loved riding with Sam on cycle trips through the high country and ice fishing in the high lakes of Colorado on their snowmobiles. They were members of the Pueblo Steel City and San Luis Valley Snowmobile Clubs. They were also active members in the Pueblo Diesel Control, Inc. Club for many years. Laureta was a past hostess and board member while Sam was a past president of Diesel Control. The club helped many local and traveling motorists and truckers, along with working with local law enforcement officers. Laureta suffered over two decades of pain and sickness and her endurance was amazing, with seldom a complaint. She was unable to eat or drink the last 7 months of her life and finally lost the battle with vicious cancer and was courageous to the end. The family wishes to thank the doctors and hospitals who helped during her illness. Thanks to Dr. Duffee, Dr. Ritter, Dr. Kinnett, Dr. Timms, Dr. Stageburg, Dr. Vahill and their staffs. A special thanks to Parkview Hospital and 3rd floor rehab staff for their loving care for Laureta. Special thanks also to Parkview Aquatic Rehab and Laureta’s dear friend, Kayla. Many thanks to St. Mary-Corwin – Dorsey Cancer Center in their sincere and loving effort to help Laureta. Heart-filled thanks to wonderful Sangre de Cristo Hospice and their staff for the loving care and kindness shown to Laureta. Their 24/7 care allowed Laureta to be at home to pass away and was her greatest wish. Many, many thanks to Toni Garcia, Christina Maes, Dr. Sloan, Brenda, Virginia, Sue and Toni (with her wonderful English accent), Chaplin Austin and special thanks to Judy Krasovec and Ellen Donaldson for their loving care. God bless all of you! By Laureta’s request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. In lieu of flowers and food, the family requests donations may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, Paws for Life Shelter, or Dorcey Cancer Center. Arrangements, Imperial Funeral Home.