Southwestern Stockmen, Cowbelles honor Curtis Honaker, Helen Suckla
Two members of Montezuma County pioneer families were honored by the Southwestern Livestock Association and their Cowbelles during the annual sotckmen’s banquet Saturday night.
The stockmen named Curtis Honaker as the Stockman of the Year while the ladies selected Helen Suckla as the recipient of their award during the banquet held at the Elks Home.
Mr. Honaker, former Montezuma County Commissioner, was unable to attend the banquet. His son, Pat, accepted the award, presented by Milt Lewis, president of the Southwestern Livestock Association. Mary Ellen McComb, president of the Cowbelles, announced the selection for the ladies group and made the official presentation.
Earlier in the day, the stockmen elected Larry Everett of Mancos as the new president. Bent Bertrand was elected vice president. The board of directors includes Harvey Young, Keith Halls, Dr. Gerald Koppenhafer, Doug Gafford, Reece Malles and Jim Suckla. Lewis, as outgoing president, becomes a member of the board.
Speakers at the business meeting included Al Denham of the Hesperus Experimental Station; Herald Gresh of the Wildlife Division; Montezuma County Sheriff Glazner, Jim Suckla, Jan Rippetoe and Dr. Koppenhafer.
Dr. Baxter Black served as the evening’s speaker.
Lewis, during the banquet, announced that a plaque had been made for lifetime members of the association. They included: Dr. Fred Reddert, Pete Dunlap, Harold Bradfield, Millard Steerman, Lee Scott, Doug Hindmarsh and Walter Wallace. Added to the list this year were Eldon Zwicker, Curtis Honaker and Stanley McCabe.
Mr. Honaker, a lifelong resident of the Lewis area, has followed both of the cattle and sheep business in addition to the operation of his ranch and has been active in agriculture and livestock circles most of his life.
Mrs. Suckla is a past president of the Southwestern Cowbelles and has been active in the organization and the industry for years. She and her husband, Jim, have large livestock interests in the Disappointment, Glade and Cortez area.
The Cowbelles prior to their business meeting in the afternoon, hosted a luncheon for their families and guests.
Burnham services set
Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon in Cortez for Lucy Decker Burnham, a member of a pioneer Montezuma County family, who passed away at Mercy Hospital in Durango.
The services were held at the Cortez LDS Church with internment following in the Cortez Cemetery.
Mrs. Burnham, born in 1913, was the daughter of the late Morris and Maria Decker, pioneer settlers in the Webber Canyon area south of Mancos. Mrs. Decker passed away last year.
She graduated from Mancos High School in 1932 and was married to George Burnham five years later.
During World War II, Mrs. Burnham worked as a linotype operator for the Cortez Sentinel while her husband was serving with the Army.
She is survived by her husband, George, of the family home in Cortez and one daughter, Sandy, also of the family home. Also surviving are seven brothers and sisters, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
