May Hubert “Lynn” Branam, rest in peace. He passed away in Parkview Hospital on September 14, 2020, after a short illness. Lynn was born in Tyler, Texas, on September 16, 1947, to Hubert and Mildred Branam.
Lynn had lived in Cody, Wyoming, as a teenager before moving back to Texas. He had a love for the mountains. His interests were very diverse. He enjoyed hunting with his father, target shooting—both bow and arrow, as well as handguns and rifles. He started playing guitar as a teenager, and would practice for hours on end. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his students over several decades. He was a freelance action photographer early on, which evolved into portraits, until he found his niche as a landscape photographer. Lynn was also a competive body builder, and power lifter, setting several state records. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, playing chess, and watching sports (golf, baseball, football, and especially Houston Rockets basketball.) He loved plants, and had a large collection of orchids at his home.
When he and his wife, Sally, retired from their jobs in Houston thirteen years ago, they moved to Westcliffe so Lynn could be close to mountains again. They were in their thirteenth year as owners of The Outpost Gallery, Guitar & Frame Shop in Westcliffe. The gallery featured Lynn’s landscape photography, and framing of his work, as well as those of his customers. Lynn also taught guitar to students here for twelve years (until Covid), and previously for forty years in Houston.
Lynn is survived by his wife, Sally; his brothers, J.B. (Marian) Branam, and David Branam; his daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Bobby Galloway, and their children, Dean and Promise; niece and nephews, Melanie Martinsen, Brett Branam, Bryan (Leslie) Branam, Colin Branam, and Tucker Branam; step children, Deborah (Brad) Ramey, David (Mindy) Kloesel, and John (Melissa) Aden; step-grandchildren, Kathryn (Curt) Scott, Jennifer Mejias, Megan (Kyle) White, Nevin (Kendell) Aden, Audrey Aden, Dylan Kloesel, and Daniel Kloesel; and three step-great grandsons.
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Service Friday for Ryan Schepmann
Ryan Jacob Schepmann, 23, of Westcliffe, Colorado died of natural causes on September 18, 2020, at Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo, Colorado. He was born March 31, 1997, in Pratt, Kansas.
Survivors include his parents, Warren and Lori (Schlesener) Schepmann and sisters, Sara Schepmann and Katie Schepmann all of Westcliffe, Colorado.
He is also survived by his grandmother JoAnn Schepmann, Pratt, Kansas: aunts, Carla (Calvin) Boyd, Medicine Lodge, KS, and Brenda (Ron) Piester, Coats, KS; uncles, Larry (Barbara) Schlesener, Hope, KS, and Steve (Dori) Schlesener, Scottsdale, AZ. Also surviving are many cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Nathan F. Schepmann, Pratt, KS, and grandparents, Orval and Geraldine Schlesener of Hope, Kansas.
Coming from Preston, Kansas, Ryan was baptized into Christ at St. Paul Lutheran Church, (Natrona) Preston, Kansas on April 20, 1997. He and his family moved to Westcliffe, CO in June of 2010. He confessed his faith in the rite of confirmation at Hope Lutheran Church, Westcliffe, CO on April 17, 2011. He graduated from Custer County High School on May 29, 2016.
Ryan loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and would want the world to know that Jesus is your Savior too.
Services are planned for 3 p.m. MST on Friday, September 25, 2020, at Valley Bible Fellowship in Westcliffe, Colorado. Burial will follow at Hope Lutheran Cemetery, rural Westcliffe. A meal will be served following at Valley Bible Fellowship.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, (Natrona) Preston, Kansas on Saturday, October 10, 2020
at 10 a.m.
Memorials to: Lutheran Hour Ministries may be left at Valley Bible Fellowship or mailed: C/O St. Paul Lutheran Church, 40291 NE 40th Ave. Preston, KS 67583. Condolences may be left at: Montgomery-
Steward.com.
Elizabeth Rae (Bet) Kettle
Daughter of Esther and Norman Howard, Elizabeth Rae (Bet) Kettle was born 6/20/1933 and passed in her sleep 9/12/2020. She was wife and partner at San Isabel Ranch to Benjamin W (Doc) Kettle, mother and grandmother to five children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Bet was an avid reader of contemporary novels from authors such as Michener, McMurtry, Ben K. Green, Patrick Taylor, and Edward Rutherford. She appreciated fine antiques and preferred Victorian style antiques and fine china. Bet loved to sing – especially duets with Ben; hers a strong alto to soprano range, Ben’s tenor/bass voice. made beautiful music. She loved Harry Belefonte, The Kingston Trio, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, and Luciano Pavarotti.
Bet was an avid gardener and loved flowers. A labor of love, she kept a beautifully manicured yard and brimming full, gorgeous flower beds. The main house was always embellished with extraordinary cut flower arrangements and flowering potted plants. For Bet, Tuesday’s were always “no-cow-work” days at the ranch. She would dress in her “Sunday best” and spend the afternoons in a mean game of bridge with life-long friends like Paulie Canda, Marie Holmburg, the Tanglewood ladies, and more. They shared many a good conversation after the cards were played, of course.
She served for years as the Convention Committee Chairman of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Secretary of the Colorado Hereford Association, member American Hereford Association, Secretary of the Colorado Republican Party, and President of the Custer County School Board. Bet’s tough, straight talk, no excuses philosophy was filled with love for many Custer County Bobcats over the years. Bet enjoyed basketball and football– especially Bobcat Basketball, March Madness, and Jo Montana.
Although having no previous experience in ranching, she quickly adapted to the life caring for hundreds of wet baby calves in her back porch during Spring calving. One of her favorite times spent with Ben was evening calving checks. She loved how the calves played and chased and the love they shared for the life they lived together. She kept all the pedigree and performance data on 40 years of cowherd genetics. She also processed genetic breeding records for the American Hereford Association. Hereford cattle were the mainstay of San Isabel Ranch at the time and together Ben and Bet were recognized nationally for their outstanding genetics and high quality cattle. She enjoyed the seasonal life of the ranch, including calving, weaning and hours in the saddle on good horses moving cattle from one pasture to the next. She was an excellent horsewoman and had an accomplished eye to spot outstanding cattle.
Bet was an accomplished writer and was often asked to pen the history of the Wet Mountain Valley, area churches, and wonderful stories of the ranching and community history. Her joy was writing advertising copy for San Isabel Ranch. Over the years, hundreds of bulls were marketed well with the help of her gifted advertising. The Kettles were portrayed in the National Geographic book The American Mountain People and the Sunday Denver Times, and many beef industry publications. San Isabel Ranch and Ma and Pa Kettle were described and written about often.
Bet loved people in a big way. She had such a good heart and fierce convictions – her legacy of that good heart and feisty spirit shall remain through her children for generations to come.
Services will be held at the Sangre de Cristo Cowboy Church in Westcliffe CO. at 1:30 p.m., September 26, 2020. If donations are wished, they are encouraged to be made to the Custer County Medical Foundation (CCMF)/Ben Kettle Memorial Scholarship; or the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association – Floyd Cross Foundation.
Cleave Simpson for District 35
by George Gramlich
San Luis Valley native, Cleave Simpson, was gracious enough to visit the Sentinel last Friday along with our current Colorado Senate District 35 Senator, Larry Crowder. This is Larry’s last year as he is term limited. Running to replace him is 4th generation Colorado rancher/farmer, and lifelong Republican, Cleave Simpson.
Cleave has had quite the career so far. Born in the San Luis Valley, Cleave grew up on a large ranch. After graduating from Alamosa High School in 1979 he attended the Colorado School of Mines and obtained a B.S. in Mining. He then went to work for nearly two decades in surface coal mines in Texas and Australia primarily in management. He oversaw large, complex projects involving hundreds of workers. Often in very difficult situations.
Finally returning to the San Luis Valley he resumed ranching/
farming and getting involved in local community affairs. Cleave joined the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and eventually became the General Manager of the organization. He also serves as a representative on the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable and the Colorado Inter Basin Compact Committee. Cleave is also a member of the Colorado Water Congress and has served on the Farm Service Agency County Committee and the Alamosa County Planning Commission.
BOCC: Medical Reserve Corp Meddling: The Inmates Want to Run the Asylum
Custer County Board
of Commissioners (BOCC)
—August 28, 2020
by Laura Vass
The meeting was called to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call.
Attorney Items:
Attorney Smith said he received a CORA request and had to get an extension in order to comply. Vernon Roth did the document search for him and Smith thanked him. Attorney Smith said he was riding his ATV over the weekend and notices property owners building without any permitting or septic and these appeared to be built as dwellings. He reviewed those with Jackie Hobby of Planning and Zoning.
Continue reading BOCC: Medical Reserve Corp Meddling: The Inmates Want to Run the Asylum
Obituary: Jack Slater
Note: This article has been edited for the web. To see the Obit, purchase the Sept 4 issue.
Local Legend, Jack Slater,
Rides Into the Sunset
Jack Slater went to be with his Lord and Savior. His sunrise was on August 28, 1939, and sunset on August 26, 2020. He passed peacefully with his much-loved wife, Audrey Slater, at this side. Jack was two days short of 81 years old.
Audrey and Jack had a joyous life together in Christ and made their home for nearly 40 years, at the Oak Creek General
Store on Oak Creek Grade in rural Fremont County, Colorado.
Born in Upstate New York to Irish Catholic parents, Jack led an interesting life that included being a bar owner, a railroad engineer and ranch hand. He was married to Karen Rita Fugate from 1961 to 1976; they had three children.
Jack met his wife, Audrey (nee Walczak) Watson, in Buffalo, New York, in 1979, and together with her two sons, which he raised as his own, they moved west to Colorado in 1980.
In Colorado, Jack, worked on the Griffin Ranch (now subdivided.) He and Audrey opened The General Store which became a gathering place for locals. They then opened it as a restaurant with breakfast and lunch and later as an evening restaurant and live music venue. They also opened their barn to host local church services. In the 90s, the Slaters opened a thrift market in Westcliffe on Second Street where everything from pots and pans to old stoves was fifty cents.
Until 2017, the Slaters continued to serve occasional lunches and Saturday morning breakfasts at the General Store featuring Audrey’s homemade baked goods and Jack’s sausage gravy served up with the best of company from a two-county area.
Jack is also credited with forming the first Oak Creek Grade Volunteer Fire Department in approximately 1988 and securing equipment still utilized today.
The Slaters also held bible studies in their home for years, and most recently attended The Cowboy Church at Crossroads in Penrose, Colorado, pastored by Randy Pfaff.
Jack is survived by his wife, Audrey Slater, sons, John Joseph Slater III. of New York and Patrick McGarity Slater of Florida , daughter Bonnie Kathleen Walker of Arkansas (spouse Jerry W. Walker), daughter April Slater of Lancaster, New York, and stepsons Sean Watson of Florida (spouse Kim) and Christopher Watson (spouse Carrie) of Colorado. He has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 12th, at 10 a.m., with Pastor Randy Pfaff officiating at Sangre de Cristo Cowboy Church, 60260 Hwy. 69 N, Westcliffe, CO 81252.
Lucas Epp for District 3
Letter to the Editor of the Sentinel:
Lucas Epp, not just a farm boy from small town Nebraska and not a man with political aspirations, but a man with a willingness and desire to serve within his community. I reside in District 3 of Custer County and call this home. My wife and I have started building a business and are raising a family here in this peaceful county. Over the time we have lived here I have often thought about what I could do within the community or county to serve in my own way and make a positive contribution. Friends of mine and I have discussed many times since my time as a mayor about whether I would go back into public office again. Earlier this year they suggested a county commissioner seat and I really began to think more about public office being a place I could realistically serve in again. I had been asked by several people to run for a county commissioner seat halfway through my term as mayor back in Nebraska. I turned them down since I wanted to finish my term as mayor and then I would think about it afterwards, but my job took a different path regionally after the term. I thoroughly enjoyed my service to the community as a Mayor and a supervisor for the towns law enforcement for those four years.
The things I stand for and believe in most are God, family, and country. I stand for the Constitution and the freedoms [it] grants us as citizens. I stand with law enforcement and the duties they perform to keep peace and sanctity among the members of the community. I believe in free speech and the ability to gather peacefully to worship or to enjoy friendships. I am thankful for our veterans and those who serve in our military to defend this great nation. I support the second amendment and the citizens right to defend themselves, especially against tyrannical rule of government. I am a profile advocate; I value life inside the womb the same as outside the womb. I believe in fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget whether personal, business, or governmental. I support small businesses for I believe they are the backbone of great economy and stability across the whole country. I believe that our churches and individuals are where welfare comes from, not the government. I believe in small government that is kept in check by its citizens. I believe in open and honest communication that comes more frequently from governmental positions to its citizens. I support the citizen and stand behind the citizen against any unconstitutional governmental oversight.
I am Lucas Epp and I am running as a Write In Candidate for Custer County Commissioner District 3. Please write my name on the line you will find in the ballot and support me with your vote. I want to serve the citizens of this county and I will always do my best to have the good of the citizenry at heart.
Lucas Epp
Custer County
Palace Drug Opens in Silver Cliff – After 30 Year Absence, Custer Has a Drug Store
by Fred Hernandez
Multiple economic development studies have been made in Custer County which included wish lists from residents regarding what, if any, businesses they would like to see open up in the county. High up on the list, if not at the very top, the residents pined for a pharmacy. The last drug store in the county ceased operations
approximately thirty long years ago. Since then, residents have had to trek down the mountain to pick up their medications in all kinds of weather, a feat which becomes quite challenging in the dead of the winter months. Well, not anymore!
Continue reading Palace Drug Opens in Silver Cliff – After 30 Year Absence, Custer Has a Drug Store
New Fire Chief for Wet Mountain Fire Protection District
Press Release
The Wet Mountain Fire Protection District would like to welcome Matt Nolting, who was appointed Fire Chief at the August 12th Board Meeting.
Matt Nolting is a Colorado Native. He is joining our community with his wife Tawni and son Evan. Matt has been actively involved in fire and EMS services since May of 2001 when he joined his first volunteer fire department. He is a graduate of Columbia Southern
University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Fire Service Administration. Matt said he is thrilled to join our community and honored to serve with our great fire department.
Lynn Attebery for Commissioner District 2
by Fred Hernandez
Like a lightning bolt out of the blue a surprise candidate for commissioner just stepped up unexpectedly. This one has much experience on the job and is ready to move in at a moment’s notice. Lynn Attebery, who was commissioner for two terms, from 2006-2014 (then term limited), had not originally planned to get back into the political fray. However, when one of the incumbent commissioners decided to throw in the towel, Lynn saw the opening and decided, on the spot, to re-enter the arena. With only days to go before the deadline, he quickly filed his application as a write-in candidate for the November elections.
Lynn was gracious enough to give the Sentinel staff some time for an interview. Continue reading Lynn Attebery for Commissioner District 2