In Passing – August 2025

Daniel Bogaard

Daniel Dee Bogaard, age 75, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on July 10, 2025. He was born in Orange City, Iowa, on June 14, 1950. Dan graduated from M-OC High School, attended Northwestern College, and received a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa. He was married to Betty Vanden Hull on Aug. 14, 1970, in  Orange City, Iowa.

Dan’s career included 20 years in banking in Orange City, Iowa, Mt. Vernon, Ill., and Oskaloosa, Iowa. He then became a small business owner in the lodging and Dutch imports industries, operating an inn in Pella, Iowa, and retail stores in Pella and Orange City, Iowa. In Pella, he was a 20-year active member of Rotary, serving as treasurer. He was skilled in woodworking and home improvement, but his true passion was golf. In 2015, Dan and Betty retired to Sun Lakes, where he could now indulge his love of golf daily in the resort community of IronOaks Country Club, where he built a network of very good friends.

He is survived by his wife Betty; son John and daughter-in-law Michele of Goodyear, Arizona; son Nicolas and daughter-in-law Claire, and granddaughter Maeve of Naples, Italy; sister Debra (Fred) DeHaan of Storm Lake, Iowa; and 12 additional brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Alma; his brother, David Bogaard; and his brothers-in-law, Larry DeBoer and Stephen Kollasch.

A Celebration of Life was held on July 18. Memorial gifts may be made to the youth golf organization First Tee – Phoenix in Arizona.

Rebecca (Becky) Commisto

Becky Commisto passed away on June 23, 2025, at the young age of 67. Becky was born on July 21, 1957, in Amarillo, Texas. She was the beloved daughter of Kenneth and Ellen Wallace. Becky endured a 3½ year courageous battle with cancer.

Becky graduated from Canyon High School in 1975, and graduated from Amarillo College in 1985. That same year Becky received her nursing license from the state of Texas. Becky was a remarkable person excelling in athletics and her career in nursing. From an early age Becky had the calling to always help people in need of help and never hesitated to offer that help, whether in her career or life with others.

Becky is survived by her husband Joe. They married in Kauai, Hawaii, in 2004. She is also survived by her sister Kim Brooks and brother Wayne Wallace.

Becky had a tremendous passion for life and was a generous, caring person who loved her dogs, golf, travel, and quilting. Becky excelled in her career with various stints as an emergency room surgical nurse and the only woman in the company traveling throughout Texas and Arizona treating kidney stone patients who was able to drive the heavy medical RV to and from the treatment hospitals—fellow co-workers nicknaming her “the medical trucker” as driving the large vehicle required a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Her final stop of her career was a surgical nurse for 16 years with a prestigious Scottsdale plastic surgeon. Becky never backed down from controversies in her career when physicians were attempting to cut corners; she insisted they follow proper protocol and procedures or she would halt the surgeries!

Becky and Joe forged a terrific life together with tremendous work ethic. They built and remodeled over eight homes. Joe always remarked that Becky was an incredibly talented woman who possessed numerous talents. She could paint, install tile work, operate most power tools, and worked side by side with Joe on all the projects. He asked her how she became so proficient with tools and she said she operated many similar tools, such as saws, in the operating rooms during her surgical career.

Becky and Joe built a spectacular life together earning “The American Dream” through hard work and dedication. Becky was a true patriot and loved her country with a passion.

Becky’s hobbies included quilting and golf. She was an avid golfer and won the Palo Verde 2021 Presidents Cup and won her flight in 2023. While battling cancer Becky served two years on the PVLGA Board. She was unable to serve out the presidential board positions due to complications from cancer.

Becky was a terrific wife and loved her dogs with a passion. She was a truly remarkable woman who touched and inspired so many people in her lifetime.

Cindy Sue Hunter

Cindy Sue Hunter passed away on June 10, 2025, at the age of 65. She lost her battle with cancer that she fought four different times since 2019. She was born June 22, 1959, in Anderson, Ind. She was the daughter of James Clyde Hunter and Phyllis Sue Hunter. Both her parents preceded her in death.

She married William (Bill) Hunter on April 22, 1995. She is survived by her husband. She is also survived by a daughter Mindy Sue Brennan, a son William Cody Carr, and a son Robert Lucas Carr. She is also survived by her brother James Clyde Hunter Junior. Cindy had three grandchildren: Mercedes Rae Ginn, Rory Charles Brennan, and Jayden Logan Carr.

Cindy enjoyed the many friends that she made while living in Sun Lakes. She loved spending time in her garden and hosting game nights in her home. She was looking forward to retiring and enjoying more time with her friends.

Her biggest desire was to share her garden with anyone fighting a disease. She wanted to open the garden for people to come in and talk, cry, or just sit in silence as they fought the fight for life together. She is missed by her family and friends.

A celebration of her life is planned in her garden on Oct. 25.

Walter “Wally” Loran

Walter “Wally” Loran passed away peacefully at home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., on June 17, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on April 18, 1931, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Loran.

Wally grew up during the Great Depression on the south side of Dickinson, N.D., where most everyone was poor and scratching out a living. He grew up with a close-knit group of a dozen neighborhood kids who called themselves the “Southside Gang”—a friendship that lasted a lifetime.

At age 18, Wally and several of his Southside Gang enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1953, he spent time at Dickinson State College before beginning his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.

In 1956, he married his sweetheart, Mary Ann Kostelecky, and together they shared 69 beautiful years of marriage. In 1970, Wally accepted a company transfer and moved the family to Fargo, N.D., where he spent 20 years working in the Engineering Department.

Later in his career, he became active in the Telephone Pioneers Organization, serving as President of the Minnesota–North Dakota Chapter. While living in Fargo, Wally and Mary Ann purchased a lake home in Detroit Lakes, Minn., where they spent 46 summers enjoying lake life.

After retiring in 1990, they visited the Phoenix, Ariz., area, and soon purchased their winter home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., where they spent their winter months.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Cindy; and two brothers, Larry and Raymond.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann; son Rod (Nashell) Loran of Woodbury, Minn.; daughter Mary Hovet of Eden Prairie, Minn.; and daughter Connie (Greg) Presley of Austin, Texas. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren: Kerianne (Nate), Sydney (Kevin), Phoebe (T.C.), Lauren, Annie, and Coby; and great-grandfather to Piper and Evvie.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for later this summer in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Ralph Michael Petriello

Ralph Michael Petriello passed away on July 4 at the age of 95. He was born Nov. 2, 1929, in Bridgeport, Conn., the son of Bartolomeo and Antonetta Petriello. He is survived by his beloved wife Sheila; cherished daughters Susan Enerson (Daniel) and Joan Peters and son Bart (Rani); grandchildren Rachel (Tommy), Katie (Elliot), Morgan, and Lucas; and great-grandchildren Audrey, Cameron, and Benjamin. He was predeceased by brothers Salvatore (Rita) and Anthony (Gloria), sister Teena Brown (Jimmy), and brother Bart. He graduated from St. Charles Grammar (’43) and Warren Harding High Schools (’47) and attended University of Bridgeport.

He served four years in the USN, working at the Pentagon on top secret OP23 as the USAF attempted to redirect Navy budgets to the Air Force. Working as a staff member directly for Captain Arleigh A. (30 knot) Burke, and several admirals, they saved the Navy’s budget. His subsequent duty was Admiral’s staff, Commander, Amphibious Forces Atlantic Fleet, USS Taconic, AGC-17, Norfolk, Va., then Little Creek, Va.

Michael was Business Administrator at Sunoco for 10 years, Business Manager for several other companies, then joined Glendinning Companies in Westport, Conn., in 1969. When he transferred to their London office as European Project Coordinator in 1972, he met his wife of 48 years, Sheila Maskens, whom he married in Stratford, Conn., in 1977. In 1985 he joined Ryan Partnership marketing group as one of four initial Senior Partners. Through those last two jobs he produced promotions for clients such as Shell, Western Union (working with Walter Payton as a spokesperson), Miami Dolphins, and major supermarket chains.

Michael and Sheila retired in 1996 to Sun Lakes, Ariz., enjoying family and many dear friends. Their retirement was full, with international travel, golf, dancing, hiking, and skiing—Michael was one of the first members of the Fitness Club and he even took up running at age 77!

In 2024 they moved to Mooresville, N.C., to be close to family, which was a great blessing. He especially loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His twinkling eyes and ever-present enthusiasm for life will be greatly missed by all who knew him. If you wish to donate in his memory, please do so through Mohammed Ali Parkinson’s Center, Phoenix, Ariz.

Services were held on July 18. His ashes will be buried in Bridgeport, Conn., at a memorial.

Stephen Spicer

Stephen Paul Spicer, a beloved father, grandfather, and husband, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, at his home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., at the age of 74. He was born on July 9, 1950, in Norwich, Chenango County, New York. Steve embarked on a distinguished career as an aerospace engineer, educated at Cal Poly,  San Luis Obispo, Calif. He had the honor of helping build and launch the first Iridium Satellite, which was recognized in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum gallery for the Iridium Satellite Project in 2008 in Washington, D.C. He worked on many aerospace projects overseeing teams of engineers at Motorola and later Honeywell throughout his career. He traveled internationally often in his career and aerospace brought Steve to Arizona. He had a passion for space and the night sky, which he shared with his daughters throughout their childhood. He loved music, sports, bike riding, spending time outdoors, cars, dogs, reading, movies, travel, and so much more. Above all, he valued his family and the time spent with them, creating lasting memories. His Catholic faith was a cornerstone of his life, guiding him through both joyous and challenging times.

Steve is survived by his devoted wife Finela, from the Philippines, whom he married on June 24, 2006, in Tempe, Ariz. He was a proud father to his two daughters, Christina Lynn Willman and Heather Kay Spicer. He adored his grandchildren, Vera Lynn Willman (10) and Sasha LeeAnne Joyce Willman (8), the daughters of Christina and her husband Simon Willman. Steve also leaves behind his grandson, Levi McMurray (10), the son of Heather Spicer. Additionally. He is survived by his two younger brothers Gary Spicer (Teresa) and Greg Spicer (Gail); his stepmother Suzette Spicer; former spouses Lise Lambert Rehm and Barbara Campbell; as well as his cousins, nieces, and nephew. A special mention goes to his cousin Conley Titus of Oro Valley who generously donated her kidney to Steve in 2017, giving him the gift of extended life.

Steve was predeceased by his parents Norman Edmund Spicer and Catherine Mary Jennings and his stepfather Eric Jennings.