In Passing

Mary Annette Holmquist

Mary Annette Holmquist was born on July 3, 1930, at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. Her proud parents were Wells Fargo Kruse and Esther Bridget (Carroll) Kruse.

Mary was the eldest of four daughters and was raised in San Francisco where she attended Holy Name Grammar School. She completed two years of high school in San Francisco at Presentation High School. The family moved to San Carlos, Calif. Mary completed high school at Sequoia High School in Redwood City and graduated in 1948. She attended San Mateo Junior College for two years.

In 1952, while attending a party, she met her future husband, Jack Joseph Holmquist. They were married in 1953. They spent their early married years living in Paso Robles and Ceres, Calif., however, they eventually settled in Redwood City, Calif., and then retired in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Mary’s greatest joy in life was her five children. She was active at St. Pius Parish while raising her children. Mary enjoyed knitting and reading. She was also active in her Singing Brook Circle Homeowners’ Association in Santa Rosa, Calif.

In 2005, Mary and Jack resettled in Redmond, Ore., to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. In 2007, Jack, her husband of 54 years, passed away. So in 2014, Mary relocated to Sun Lakes, Ariz., with her daughter. There she was affiliated with St. Stephen’s Parish in Sun Lakes. Mary passed away at home, peacefully on April 10, 2022, Palm Sunday, with family by her side.

Mary’s greatest love was her family. She is survived by Theresa, John, Cindy Sackman (Tony), Carrie Kaufmann-Drucker (Bryan), and Mark. She idolized and loved her nine grandchildren: Tony Sackman Jr., Kyle Sackman, Rebecca Angelo (Danny), Nicole Venard (Josh), Alyssa Thoen (J.C.), Jackson Holmquist, Stephanie Kaufmann, Jeffrey Kaufmann, and Taylor Holmquist. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara McConaughy, and three nieces and one nephew.

In her later years she was gifted seven great-grandchildren: Clyde and Charlie Thoen, Sierra and Makenna Angelo, Jade and Ava Venard, and Jack Sackman. The great-grandchildren completed her life.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Maureen and Susan; her beloved husband Jack; his parents Harry and Emma Holmquist; son-in-laws Rick Kaufmann and Alan Winchester; and her beloved dog, Buttons.

Placement was held at Valley of the Sun Mortuary on May 5, 2022.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Mary’s Honor at St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 219 Bean Ave Los Gatos, CA 95030 on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 11 a.m., which will be followed by a luncheon at St. Mary’s Hoffman Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to: The Pan Foundation, PO Box 716408, Philadelphia, PA 19171, 1-866-316-7263, or The National Scleroderma Foundation Northwest Section, 300 Rosewood Dr., Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923, 1-800-722-4673.

Judith Mae Kilgus

Judith Mae Kilgus, age 80, passed away on May 3, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz., with her family by her side. Judi was born on March 17, 1942, in Farmington, Maine, and her family moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1951.

She attended North High School and graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Science and became a CPA, where she went on to become a successful administrator with the Arizona Department of Corrections for more than 20 years. Her passion in life was spending time with her family, golfing, dancing, and traveling the world.

Judi is survived by her two sons, their wives, five grandchildren, and her seven siblings.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 18, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

Richard “Dick” W. Kruse

Longtime Alaskan Richard “Dick” W. Kruse passed away on Dec. 13, 2021, in Sun Lakes, Ariz., after a brief illness with cancer at the age of 89.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a trusted friend. Dick was born to Marion (Forbish) and Clarence Kruse on Nov. 10, 1932, in Brownton, Minn. He was proud to have lettered in football, basketball, and baseball before graduating from Brownton High School in 1950. He joined the Marines at 19 and returned home to run the family farm after his father died. Later, he attended business college and began a lifetime career in accounting.

He married a young nurse, Patricia M. Tomlanovich, in Hibbing, Minn., on June 25, 1955. A new job with the Internal Revenue Service brought them to Alaska in 1960 where they raised their three children Kim, Rick, and Carol. Dick continued working professionally in the accounting field and owned and operated several retail stores. He also fished commercially in Cook Inlet, Alaska, each summer. After many years in private business, he returned to work for the IRS.

Dick especially liked spending time with family and friends at their cabin near Summit Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, and also at Lake Louise Lodge. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed providing the family with moose, caribou, salmon, and burbot.

He was also an exceptionally enthusiastic sports fan. Dick loved sports and was a season pass holder at local hockey, basketball, and baseball games. He frequently traveled to Seattle for the Seahawks and the UW/WSU Apple Cup football games.

After retiring, Dick and Pat enjoyed long-distance road trips, traveling and sharing many wonderful times with family and friends in Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, and Arizona.

Spending time with his grandkids brought Dick immense joy. He also loved telling them about his adventures while living and traveling throughout Alaska—from riding out the 1964 earthquake, surviving a plane crash, to returning home from Kodiak with boxes filled with live king crab. The grandkids say they will admire and cherish their grandpa for all the steadfast love and support he gave them over the years.

Dick is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia Kruse; children: Kim Kruse (Mark Smedley), Richard Kruse (Mary Reker), Carol O’Leary (Terry O’Leary); and six wonderful grandchildren: McKenzie Kruse Smedley; Casey, Patrick, and Hanna O’Leary; and Haley and Nicholas Kruse. He is also survived by his nephews John and Tom Crosby.

He was preceded in death by his father Clarence W. Kruse, mother Marion M. Kruse, brother Donald Kruse, and sister Lois Crosby. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with interment at the Veterans National Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz.

Barbara Joan Lucas

Barbara Joan Lucas passed away on April 3, 2022, at the age of 90. Barbara was born on July 25, 1931, in Highland Park, Mich., to Reta Jean (Young) Fultz and Lee Wright Fultz. She was preceded in death by her parents and younger brother Donald Ross Fultz. She is survived by her beloved twin sister Beverly Jean Lucas; her four children: Aaron (Catherine) Lucas, Brian (Marcela) Lucas, Christine (Nathan) Applewhite, Delpha (Dave) Dunning; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Barbara was the epitome of a social butterfly. She made friends wherever she went and belonged to many social and civic organizations throughout her life, beginning as a Girl Scout. She went on to join the Rainbow Girls, Beta Sigma Phi, United Methodist Women’s group, the Red Hat Society, Single Ladies group, Mah Jongg group, PTA, and was a Girl Scout leader. She touched many lives and will be remembered in love by all who knew her.

Lillian R. Mathisen

Lillian R. Mathisen of Cottonwood passed away on May 13, 2022. She was 99 years old. She was the loving mother of Sue Sargis and a good friend to Pat Ebrom.

Eleanor M. Patton

Eleanor Miller Patton, 104, died Feb. 28, 2022, at the Healthcare Resort of Olathe in Olathe, Kan. Eleanor was born Oct. 25, 1917, in Utica, N.Y., to Horace and Emilie (Perry) Miller. During her primary and middle school years, she attended the Utica Country Day School and graduated from high school at the Utica Free Academy in Utica, N.Y. After a year of theatre training in New York City, N.Y., she continued her education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., graduating in 1940 with an undergraduate degree in speech pathology. Twenty-five years later, she would earn a master’s degree in speech pathology from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her father Dr. Horace Murray Miler (d.1978), her mother Emilie Perry Miller (d.1983), her brother Dr. Donald Miller (d.2000), her husband of 62 years Dale Patton (d.2003), and her eldest son David Patton (d.2017). She is survived by her sister Susan Cowles (Harold) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Barbara Patton (widow of David Patton) of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; son Roger Patton (Martha) of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; son Donald Patton (Cecilia) of Bemidji, Minn.; son Thomas Patton (Kristine) of Olathe, Kan.; eight grandchildren: Jodi Slotar (Bruce), Dale Patton (Amy), Steven Patton (Jerri), Sarah Swenson (Nate), Leslie Lytle (Jarod), Ann Patton, Kelly Anderson (Charles), and Ashley Guevarra (Kevin); 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Eleanor and Dale were married on Aug. 3, 1940, in Evanston, Ill., and raised four sons. Dale worked in higher education his entire career, and Eleanor began her career in 1958 when she started the Speech Therapy Department at the Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Ariz. The family moved to St. Cloud, Minn., in 1963 where Eleanor continued working in the public schools as a speech therapist before becoming an instructor in speech and hearing at St. Cloud State University in 1965.

In 1978 retirement led them to Sun Lakes, Ariz., where she was a charter member of the Sun Lakes Community Church and a charter member of the Sun Lakes UCC Church. She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta women’s fraternity since 1938 and very active with the P.E.O., a philanthropic women’s organization. Eleanor enjoyed music and theatre and loved to play golf and bridge. She relocated to Olathe, Kan., in 2018.

A Celebration of Life was held on May 15 at the Sun Lakes Chapel. Interment was at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary in Chandler, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to the P.E.O. Scholarship Funds.

Tony Petriello

Anthony R. (Tony) Petriello passed peacefully on April 21, 2022, at the age of 98. The son of Bartholomew and Antonetta (Infante) Petriello of Bridgeport, Conn., he graduated Harding High School, Class of 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and his last station was serving aboard the battleship USS New Jersey as a radioman on the admiral’s staff in the Pacific.

After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Bridgeport. He met Gloria Fanning at high school, and when they met again after the war, they fell in love and married. They celebrated their 74th anniversary in April. Soon they moved from Bridgeport to Stratford, Conn. Tony went to work as an office manager for Hartley and Parker, liquor wholesalers in Stratford, Conn., and retired as controller after 30 years with the company.

Tony and Gloria enjoyed traveling, going to Europe several times and exploring the United States. They drove cross-country to Arizona for several years as snowbirds, then moved to Sun Lakes in 1994 where they enjoyed wonderful friends and dancing at the Sunday Night and Cotillion Dance Clubs.

Tony loved golf, and early on, he won two championships at his club in Connecticut and had three holes-in-one. He continued to play golf in Arizona at Cottonwood, then Ironwood, until he was 95. A few years ago, Tony enjoyed Honor Flight Arizona, a three-day journey of honor and remembrance for veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C.

Tony is predeceased by his son Robert, sister Teena, and his brother Salvatore who died 13 days before Tony. He is survived by the love of his life, Gloria; two granddaughters: Laurel and Deanna (Dan); two great-grandsons: Domenic (Nico) and Luca; two brothers: Michael (Sheila) of Sun Lakes and Bart of Trumbull Connecticut; and many nieces and nephews.

Services were held at St. Steven’s Catholic Church on May 10. Gloria is very grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and love from all her friends and neighbors in Sun Lakes and at the Gardens at Ocotillo.

Diane Pearce Shirley

Diane Pearce Shirley of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on April 30, 2022, at the age of 87. She was the beloved wife of Harold Shirley. Born in Middletown, Conn., to Malcom B. Pearce, Sr., and Louise Bowyer Pearce, she was raised in Durham, Conn., and spent many years in the Pittsburgh area before moving to Arizona. She worked as a substitute teacher in Pittsburgh and locally at the Cottonwood Golf Course. A lifelong equestrian rider, she owned horses from the 1940s to 1980s. During this time, she won many awards for showmanship. She loved animals of all kinds, but especially her dogs. She traveled the country with her husband Harold on their Goldwing motorcycle and later in their RV. She also enjoyed painting both watercolors and oils. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes.

Diane is survived by her husband Harold Shirley of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; sons: James (Cyndi) Farrington of Huntington Beach, Calif.; Robert Farrington of Rhoadesville, Va.; and Harold J. Shirley (Darlene) of Saltsburg, Pa.; daughters: Kimberly Martinez of Destin, Fla., and Jacqueline R. (Peter) Bolic of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; grandchildren: Rachel, Michelle, Nathan, Sarah, Jennifer, Brittney, Tyler, and Brian; and numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Susan (William) Rundle of Venice, Fla.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents Malcom and Louise Pearce, Sr.; her brother Malcom Pearce, Jr.; her daughter Kathryn Cochran; and her granddaughter Stephanie Johnson.

There is no visitation at this time, but a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later date.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Always Present Hospice, 1400 N. Gilbert Road, Suite P, Gilbert, AZ 85234, or the First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes, 9535 East Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Shirley family.

Richard Sporleder

Richard Sporleder of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully with his devoted wife Terry by his side on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. He is survived by his three children: Barb (Tony) Antonoff of Lake Zurich, Ill., Patti (Mark) Burandt of Dresser, Wisc., and Brian (Carol) Sporleder of Oak Creek, Wisc., and seven grandchildren: Eric and Kayli Antonoff, Paige and Austin Burandt, and Justin, Quintin, and Nolan Sporleder.

Rich was born on March 27, 1937, to George and Mary Sporleder in Chicago, Ill. He was the big brother to Robert (Sandy) Sporleder of New Buffalo, Mich., Don (Peggy) Sporleder of Nashville, Tenn., and Sharon (Dennis) Carey of Phoenix, Ariz. He is survived by many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob, mother-in-law and father-in-law, and cousins.

Rich graduated from Maine East High School, Park Ridge, Ill., in 1955 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University in 1985. He always regarded education as a valuable asset in life and shared that love of learning by teaching English as a second language to students and tutoring adult drivers. He was a man who taught his children to be caring, responsible, and dedicated to family and to friends. Rich worked at GTE in Des Plaines, Ill., for 35 years in the pre-press department as a lithographer and had a printing press dedicated to him in the Dallas, Texas, facility. Rich was an active member of many community organizations, including Des Plaines Elks Club and Lake Summerset Community Relations Board Chairman 2002-2005 in Davis, Ill.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley, The Perfect Place, and Memory Café for their support and help to Rich and Terry. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be sent to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 18, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand, Ill.

Bruce Waller Watkins

Bruce Waller Watkins was born May 29, 1937, in Portland, Ore., and passed here in Sun Lakes on April 11, 2022.

Bruce was an exceptional athlete, excelling in baseball, football, and golf while attending Grant High School in Portland. After graduation, he attending the University of Oregon, then opted to join the Marine Corps in March of 1957, where he served 4 years.

Bruce returned to Portland to start his career as an insurance claims adjuster. He later joined Johnson and Higgins, an international insurance brokerage, as an executive account manager.

In 1975, Bruce and his wife Jane moved to Huntington Beach, Calif., to start a new business, Venus de Milo ladies health salons. After a number of years with this business, Bruce and Jane retired to Sun Lakes in 1995.

Bruce continued to follow his passion for sports, golfing, and playing senior softball. He formed an elite senior softball team and went on to win several national and world championships.

Bruce is survived by his wife Jane, sister Hannah Howes, children Lance and Leslie, and grandchildren Hanna Hamling, Jacob Hamling, and Rebecca Watkins.

Beverly Joan Zierman

Beverly Joan Zierman passed away on Sept. 29, 2021. Beverly was born on March 10, 1939. She was raised in Tacoma, Wash. She graduated from Stadium High School and attended Western Washington University.

Beverly loved to sing and dance. Bev sang with the Clef Dwellers, a popular touring choir. She was one of the soloists. Bev was awarded a scholarship to Juilliard in New York but did not attend due to lack of funds. Beverly shared her time between Tacoma and Sun Lakes for 17 years.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Richard.

Beverly is now singing with the angels.