Wilma June Gonzales…June 27, 1931 – April 15, 2014

Wilma June Gonzales

A memorial service for Wilma “June” Gonzales will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Las Animas, Colorado.  Rev. Diane Hutson will officiate.  Inurnment will follow in the Las Animas/Bent Cemetery.

June Gonzales was born in Cooperton, Oklahoma on June 27, 1931 to the union of Clem Alvin and Verta Mae Dodson.  After a valiant battle with the ravages of old age and its accompanying medical issues, she succumbed to multiple medical problems at the La Animas Nursing Care Center on the morning of April 15, 2014.  She was 82 years of age when she made her journey to the “Great Beyond.”

Thus ended the life of a public servant known for her tireless efforts in decades of work with military veterans at the Fort Lyon Veterans Administration Hospital just outside the town of Las Animas, Colorado.  Not only will her efforts in nursing services be remembered, but there were other efforts as a community participant that must be remembered as well.  This includes 12 years of service as a board member on the Las Animas Board of Utilities along with being a member of the Eagles Club and being a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary (VFW) to mention a few.

We must especially remember her life as a strong family member.  She was well known for her life as a loving daughter, caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and sister to mention just a few cases. June was very family oriented and attended many family get-togethers and reunions with her siblings and kinfolk. 

Besides her parents preceding her in death were the deaths of sons, Leon Harold and Clem Alvin “C.A.” Powers.  The passing of these two sons deeply affected her as she felt that children should outlive their parents. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Mark Ricken (June was preceded in death by just a few hours by Mark, and she was deeply saddened by his passing); three sisters, Vera “Nadine” Mcknight, Vivian “Irene” Tyscka, and “Ollie” Mae Ridley.  She was also preceded in death by her brothers, “J.H.” Mitchell Dodson and Alvin Taylor Dodson.

Surviving members of June’s immediate family are her husband, Santos Gonzales, daughter, Linda Powers Ricken; sons, Richard “Rick” Powers and Louis Gonzales of Las Animas; sisters, Betty Jo Passmore of Las Animas, Nelda “Sue” Steward and husband, Harold of Medford, Oregon and Evelyn “Marie” Johnson and husband, Bob of Clearfield, Utah; brothers, Olie “Ray” Dodson and wife, Kathleen of Rye, Colorado, James Henry “Hank” Dodson and wife, Patsy of Colorado Springs and Kenneth Franklin Dodson and wife, Donna of Las Animas; brother-in-law, Harrell Ridley; sister-in-law, Ellena Dodson; six grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren including Brendan Powers who had a special place in June’s heart; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Horber Funeral Chapel in Las Animas, Colorado is handling funeral arrangements.  For more information or to leave online condolences please visit www.horberfuneralchapel.com.