Georgena (Gigi) Anderson
Georgena (Gigi) Anderson left this life on June 5, 2024 (age 98).
Gigi was raised in North Platte, Neb. She started dancing at age 9. Dancing would become a major part of her life. She graduated with honors and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. After the war, she married and opened her dance studio. They adopted a little girl and moved to California to manage a studio and her son was born. A job transfer took them to Phoenix. She was divorced and in 1969 married Lewis Anderson. They purchased a condo in Chatsworth, Calif., and Gigi became office administrator for the HOA for 15 years.
In 1989 they retired to Sun Lakes. Gigi would dance again with the Sun Lakes Dance Company and as instructor for the Flashback Dancers for 25–plus years. Gigi and Andy would travel extensively.
She was preceded in death by her daughter and late husband. She is survived by her son James (Joanie); two grandchildren: Jessica (John) and Gregory (Erin) and five great–grandchildren. Also, three stepchildren: Jim and Jene Anderson and Joyce Smith; three step–grandchildren, four step great–grandchildren, and one great–grandniece, Anna Marie.
A memorial service and reception were held at Valley of the Sun Mortuary on Aug. 23. There will be a private interment to follow.
Memorials may be sent to: Mayo Clinic: 13400 E. Shea Rd., Scottsdale, AZ, 85259 OR
Neighbors Who Care: 10450 E. Riggs Rd. #113, Sun Lakes, AZ, 85248
Condolences may be sent to the Ellingson family: 11825 Lakeshore North, Auburn, CA, 95602
Paul K. DeRose
Paul K. DeRose, 93, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., died in his Sun Lakes home on Aug. 9, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family.
He was born in Lansing, Mich., in 1931 to Frank and Pasqualina Caruso DeRose. Paul attended Moores Park Elementary School, Walter French Junior High School, and Eastern High School in Lansing, Mich. He went on to study Philosophy of Commerce at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Business and Accounting, graduating in 1953. Paul served in the United States Army from January 1954 to January 1956. He returned from the service and worked for the family business, The State Beverage Company, founded by his father, Frank DeRose. He was sought after and hired by the Diocese of Lansing as the Controller of the Diocese for 15 years.Returning to the family business full-time, now DeRose Distributors Incorporated, he served as Executive Vice-President for 15 years before retiring in 1990 when the business was sold.
Throughout the years, Paul was very active in the communities where he lived. He was the Director of the Lansing Ski Club, President of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and Chairman of the Worker Compensation for the Michigan Beer and Wine Association (MBWWA). He also served on the following committees and boards: Diocese of Lansing Finance Committee; Notre Dame Club of Lansing, Mich., and he received the Lansing Chapter University of Notre Dame Award of the Year in 1992; Italian-American Club of Lansing; Board of National Bank of Detroit-Lansing Division; Parents Council for Saint Mary’s of Notre Dame; Ingham County American Red Cross; Ingham County Board of Health; Sun Lakes Italian-American Club; American-Italian Club of Phoenix; Ariz., Opera Board; Board of Sun Lakes Northern Trust Bank; Board of Chandler Hospital Foundation; Finance Committee for Sun Lakes Phase 3, Board of Directors for Sun Lakes Phase 3, and was President of the Board of Directors for one year. He was one of the founding members of the Oakwood Niners Golf League.
Paul was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus for over 72 years, joining while he was at the University of Notre Dame in 1952, and was an Honorary Lifetime Member. His membership included various councils in Michigan and Council #9678 in Sun Lakes, Ariz., and was a Fourth Degree Knight. He served as the Financial Secretary of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus and the Controller of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
Paul married Anne M. Spagnuolo of Fowlerville, Mich., on Sept. 15, 1956. Paul and Anne had seven children: Jacqueline, Julie, Joseph, Jeanne, Jane, James, and Joan. They lived in Lansing and Okemos, Mich., for 39 years and moved to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 1995.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Sam (Janet), Michael (Patricia), and Frank Junior; and four sisters, Mary Campione, Virginia (Charles) Cascarilla, Edith (Angelo) Filice, and Jane (Alfred) Spagnuolo. He is survived by his wife, Anne; five daughters, Jacqueline DeRose, Julie DeRose, Jeanne (James) Peters, Jane Ellen (Brian) Bamman, Joan (Robert) McKinley; and two sons, Joseph (Julie) DeRose and James (Véronik) DeRose; and three grandchildren, Dominick Peters, Benjamin (Logen) Peters, and Elaina DeRose.
Paul’s loves were God, family, all things Italian, the Opera, and travel. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Paul and Anne were blessed with 68 years together. Paul passed on to his children the importance of faith and giving back to the community. He was a devout Catholic and volunteered for the church in various ways including playing the piano and organ for church services and was a 2:00 AM adorer for Eucharistic Adoration at Saint Casimir Catholic Church in Lansing, Mich. He was instrumental in raising money to build Saint Martha’s Catholic Church in Okemos, Mich., and served on their Finance Committee. Paul also served as President of St. Steven’s Finance Committee in Sun Lakes, Ariz., as well as active in Respect Life causes.
Funeral services were held at St. Steven’s Catholic Church on Aug. 14. Paul will be flown back to Michigan for burial with his family. Look to the Dignity Memorial website for Michigan details: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lansing-mi/paul-derose-11935217.
Eva Gunnoe
Eva Carrier Gunnoe, 85, passed away July 18, 2024, from complications from Alzheimer’s. Eva was the daughter of Arch and Sarah Carrier, born in Sharples, W.V., on June 26, 1939. She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ronald; her son Rock; her daughter Marsha Foxx; grandson Andrew Gunnoe; granddaughter Candace Foxx; and great-grandchildren.
Eva retired from Dow Chemical Company and Ron Gunnoe Chevrolet before moving to Arizona. Eva was known for her 18 years of volunteer work, especially at the Robson Library and with Neighbors Who Care. In 2014, Eva was honored with the Crystal Award recognizing those who have made a great positive impact in Sun Lakes.
The family would like to express their appreciation for Supportive Hands Hospice and the volunteers from Neighbors Who Care.
Per Eva’s wishes, there will be no services performed. Her ashes will be interred in the family cemetery in West Virginia.
Roger Lusby Hargus
Roger Lusby Hargus passed away quietly in his sleep on May 8, 2024. He was born in Inglewood, Calif., on July 28, 1937. He is survived by his wife Marie Willoughby York for 45 years and his brother James Hargus and family in Eureka, Calif. He was “Pops” to his stepsons Lou and Scott York. Roger was married to Sandra for nine years and had five children. Roger was a long distance dad to Rodney Hargus, Roberta Fortune, Linda Shidell, Sandra Compton, and Lisa Hargus, and spent quality time with them during his lifetime. Especially in his final year, Roger was in hospice at home. They came many times to love their father. They gave their final farewells when they visited. Roger spent the last 25 years at Sun Lakes playing golf, tennis, and going to the pool on hot summer nights. Now he is in his Heavenly home.
After running my race and passing the Gate, I will be looking for God’s Heavenly Golf Course and seeing Roger’s smiling face. I miss him terribly, and a Celebration of Life will be held at my home, to be announced later. Amen.
Barbara Ann Korth
Barbara Ann Korth, age 88, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 15, 2024.
Barbara was born on Oct. 1, 1935 in Warsaw, Ind., to John Densel King and Martha Katherine (Wiley) King. Barb attended school in Bourbon and Warsaw, Ind. She married Robert William Korth days shy of her 18th birthday on Sept. 26, 1953. Bob was the love of her life and they celebrated 63 years of marriage before his passing on Jan. 17, 2017.
Barb’s dream was to be a good wife, mother, and homemaker. She and Bob had five children, and she lived her dream in numerous homes in Warsaw, Ind.; Durango, Colo., Albuquerque, N.M., and finally settling in Sun Lakes, Ariz.
Barb and Bob traveled the U.S. in their motorhome, but they enjoyed their houseboat on Lake Powell the most.
Barb never met a stranger. She was always kind, smiling, and upbeat. She had a great sense of humor. Barb is fondly remembered as a great cook. She enjoyed their numerous bulldogs, card playing, and family.
Barb leaves one son, Buzz (Janen) Korth; two daughters, Kandy (Mike) Myers and Kathy Korth; 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; one son, Kevin Korth; and one daughter, Karen Reinhold.
Barb’s urn will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw, Ind. She will be joining her parents, grandmother, and great-grandparents.
Robert William Korth
Robert William Korth, age 83, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, in Chandler, Ariz.
Bob was born on Aug. 3, 1933, in Flint, Mich., to Raymond Joseph Korth and Emma (Carmichael) Korth. He went to school and graduated from WCHS in Warsaw, Ind., with the dream of playing football for Notre Dame. Bob played for the fighting Irish during his freshman year before an injury sidelined him. He joined the United States Coast Guard and served four years, stationed at Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Bob married the girl he fell for at 14 years old, Barbara Ann King, at Sacred Heart Church in Warsaw, Ind., on Sept. 26,1953. Together they had five children. Bob joined his father at Korth furniture. When his father retired, Bob sold the business and moved his family “West” to Durango, Colo., in 1971. Bob enjoyed the West, moving to Albuquerque, N.M., before settling in Sun Lakes, Ariz.
Bob enjoyed golf, boating, card playing, his bulldogs, and teasing his grandchildren. He was a real gentleman and loved his family.
Bob and Barb had five children; Kandice (Mike) Myers, Buzz (Janen) Korth, Karen Reinhold, Kevin Korth, and Kathy Korth; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Elaine Loser.
Bob’s urn will be laid to rest with his wife at her passing at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw, Ind.
Ray Teifert
Raymond Fred Teifert Jr. was known to all his friends as Ray. Born April 8, 1943, in Indianapolis, Ind., his family made its way to Mesa, Ariz., by the time he was 5. The Valley was his home until he died on June 29, 2024.
Married in 1967 to Robbie, their life together spanned almost 58 happy years. At one time or another they lived in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and for the past 23 years, Sun Lakes.
Robbie’s and Ray’s son, Mark Teifert, lives in Mesa still, with his wife and their two children. Ray was a wonderful grandfather, always called “Pa” by his grandchildren. He went to many ice hockey games and theater productions to cheer them. Ray loved best the times the kids snuggled in his lap for a story or to just watch TV.
Ray’s career was varied. He worked at Motorola during his college years, and was especially proud of being one of two employees who each worked a 12-hour shift on the Gemini space project. Managing lighting stores filled the next decade, and that was followed by many years as a real estate salesman and broker. Those years were followed by 22 years in human resources with V&P Nurseries, followed by eight years after retirement doing payroll for an oil and gas company.
A man of many talents, Ray loved gardening and created beauty around each of their homes. He planned many trips to Europe, Mexico, and other exotic locations for he and Robbie. Also a fabulous cook, he prepared many meals for the family. Two very special meals he created were Paella for 50 for the 55th wedding anniversary party, and Truck Stop Chili for the neighborhood this spring.
Kind, loving, creative, funny, hardworking, and dedicated to living life fully, he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.