In Passing – June 2024

Maurice L. Beaudin

Maurice L. Beaudin, 89, of Chandler, Ariz., died April 22, 2024, at the Casa Buena Assisted Living Home, after a period of declining health.

Born in Manchester, N. H., on July 4, 1934, he was the son of Charles and Herminie Beaudin. He was a 33–year resident of Sun Lakes (Chandler), Ariz., after living in Manchester and Hooksett, N.H., for over 50 years.

During the Korean War, he served with the United States Navy.

Until his retirement in 1989, he was a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service for 33 years.

He was a longtime communicant of Holy Rosary Church in Hooksett. Most recently, he was a parishioner of St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes.

Maurice was a member of the American Legion, Henry J. Sweeney Post #2.

He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He especially enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren and spending time at Intervale Country Club and Cottonwood Country Club as his passion was golf.

Maurice is survived by his wife, Patricia (Tomke) Beaudin of 30 years, and her son Scott Mendell and his wife Mia; two children, Kathy (Beaudin) Myers and her husband Michael, of Auburn, N.H., and Tim Beaudin and his wife, Diana, of Hudson, N.H.; four grandchildren; three great–grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Priscilla (Ayer) Beaudin, and brother, Alfred Beaudin.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date, and we will notify family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Food Bank, 2831 N. 31st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009.

Gerrie Baker Burke

Gerrie Burke of Sun Lakes passed into eternal life after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s and strokes. She was born in Pottsville, Pa., on Nov. 10, 1937, to Irma and Robert Baker and lived in Pennsylvania, California, Massachusetts, New York, and finally in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

She was married to Robert Burke for 66 years, during which they moved many times and traveled the world. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very active in the Ironwood Ladies Golf Association in which she was a past president. Her life was enriched by her three sons, Kevin of Los Angeles, Scott (Reyzen) of Marana, Ariz., and Robert of Pasadena, Calif., and four grandchildren, Gerardo, Kyle, Madeline, and Ava. She is survived by her brother Robert Baker (Carol), who resides in Pennsylvania. Private services will be held at a future date.

Marie A. Krula

Marie A. Krula passed away peacefully at her home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., on May 1, 2024, at the age of 89 with family at her side. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 27, 1934, to the late Anton and Marie (Fischer Lyons) Krvavica.

Marie obtained a B.S. in Home Economics from Wheaton College in Illinois. Later she obtained a Master of Science in Education (Library Science and Communications Media) from Chicago State University in Illinois. She taught for a year at the high school level before starting her family. After raising her family, she was a school librarian and later a medical librarian.

Marie met her loving and devoted husband Dr. L. Wayne Krula (Commander USN, Retired) at Wheaton College. They married in Chicago in June 1957. Wayne and Marie began their married lives together in Illinois and much later made their permanent home in Arizona.

Marie was known for her generosity, graciousness, kindness, and unwavering faith in God. She became a Christian through the Wordless Book. She and Wayne were members of the First Baptist Church of Chandler. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and dedication to others that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. Marie enjoyed reading, embroidering, knitting, gardening, and genealogy. She could often be seen with a čačkalica.

Marie is survived by her children David Krula of Sun Lakes, Ariz., Lisa Krula of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Dan (Rhonda) Krula of San Tan Valley, Ariz.; grandchildren Jessica (Omar) Cifuentes of Gilbert, Ariz., Melissa (Nathaniel) Hoekstra of Bentonville, Ark., Kristin (Bradley) Churchman of Littleton, Colo., Jordan (Corrie) Krula of Chesterton, Ind., and Brittney (Michael) Baumgartner of Marengo, Ill.; great-grandchildren Janae, Evalyn, and Irene Cifuentes, Jude, Grady, and Lanah Hoekstra, Micah, Caden, and Tyler Churchman, Lydia and Adeline Krula, and Michael, Daniel, and Hayden Baumgartner; nieces and nephews Helen (John) Zemaitis of Scottsdale, Ariz., Marian (William) Caso of Fresno, Calif., Carol (Keith) Pasquini of El Dorado Hills, Calif., James Krvavica of northern California, Kathryn (Paul) Healy of Chattanooga, Tenn., Christopher Krvavica of San Jose, Calif., Mark Krvavica of San Jose, Calif., Kristina Krvavica of Las Vegas, Nev., Michaelle Krvavica of San Diego, Calif., and Patricia Krvavica (David Alkassmi) of Ladera Ranch, Calif.; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She also is survived by her sister-in-law Frances Krula-Felice of Temple, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Wayne; parents Anton and Marie Krvavica; brothers Dr. John Krvavica, Dr. Robert Krvavica, and Dr. Raymond Krvavica; and sisters-in-law.

A service was held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Ariz., with Chaplain Fred Boyer providing the message. Condolences may be expressed at valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Orlando, Fla. (wycliffe.org), or Mission Eurasia, Wheaton, Ill. (missioneurasia.org).

Daryl H. Long

Daryl H. Long, age 84, of Laurens, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Daryl Howard Long was born on Nov. 26, 1939, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to parents Kenneth Howard Long and Idela (Robertson) Long. Daryl graduated from Laurens High School in 1959 and went on to attend Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa.

He married Dorothy Sharp on Aug. 6, 1961, in Storm Lake, Iowa. The couple lived in Storm Lake and Hopkins, Minn., before settling in Laurens in 1963. They were involved in the hardware business for over 40 years. He was rewarded for 25 years with Coast-to-Coast Hardware and later changed to Ace Hardware. He later became involved in real estate.

Daryl held various offices in Laurens Chamber of Commerce, served on Laurens City Council, Pocahontas County Conservation Board, Cemetery Sexton for two Laurens cemeteries, and was a member of Laurens Industrial Foundation and the American Quarter Horse Association.

He was a member of Laurens United Methodist Church and Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, serving on the Gardens Committee for the S.L.U.M.C. Cremation Cemetery.

He was the Master Lamb Producer for the State of Iowa in 1981. He raised many horses, at one time 52. He and his favorite, Sundance, spent many hours together.

Daryl enjoyed being outside and was an avid hunter, having made many trips to Wyoming and Alaska. He could fix about anything and enjoyed wintering in Arizona for more than 15 years.

Daryl is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Laurens; son, Dr. David Long (Sarah) of Martin, Tenn.; daughter, Deborah Long Billington of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandchildren, Jordan Long (Lily), Michael Long (Katie), Rachel Billington, Ava Long, and Evelyn Long; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Idela Long; brother, Gary Long and wife Jan; son, Craig Long and wife Allison; in-laws, Robert and Evelyn Sharp, and brother-in-law, Roland Sharp.

A memorial service was held May 4 at the United Methodist Church in Laurens, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Laurens or Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, Laurens Ambulance, or Pocahontas Hospital.

Raymond L. Lowrie

Raymond L. Lowrie was born on Feb. 19, 1933, in Alcoa, Tenn., to Carl and Elizabeth Buckner Lowrie. The family moved to Texas when Ray was a young boy and ultimately made El Paso home. Ray graduated from Austin High School in 1950 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He became an aerographer’s mate and served his final year of enlistment in Yokosuka, Japan. After leaving the Navy, Ray studied at Texas Western (UTEP) where he became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. The summer before his senior year, Ray worked as a miner at the Climax Molybdenum Mine in Colorado. Ray received his B.S. in mining engineering and went to work in Oklahoma as a mining engineer in Lone Star Steel coal mines. While there he met his future wife and lifelong partner, Mariann Kroupis. They married in 1962 and moved to Denver where Ray began a mining career with the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Mines (USBM).

In 1964, USBM transferred Ray to Washington, DC. After a few years, the family returned to Denver where Ray conducted mineral and technical studies for USBM and received his master’s degree in mineral economics at Colorado School of Mines. In 1973, Ray was seconded to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as the state’s Chief of Reclamation.

Ray returned to Denver with USBM in 1975 and served as Chief of the Intermountain Field Operations Center. In 1977, Congress passed the Surface Mining Control Reclamation Act and Ray was appointed Regional Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) in Kansas City, Mo. Ray continued serving OSMRE as Administrator of the Eastern Technical Center in Pittsburgh, Penn., and finally as Assistant Director of the Western Field Operations in Denver. On Ray’s retirement in 1994, he received the Interior Department’s Meritorious Service Award.

After retiring from the government, Ray became the Professional Engineering Coordinator for the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. (SME). In this role, he helped prepare the professional licensing examination for mining engineers. He also edited the award-winning first edition of SME’s Mining Reference Handbook and wrote extensively. In 2005, Ray received SME’s President’s Citation Award for this work and in 2007 was honored as a Distinguished Member of SME. Later, Ray served as President of Carbon Energy Reserve, Inc. in developing a large coal deposit in Montana and wrote an historical novel (The Elephant’ s Grip, Wild Rose Press, 2016) centered around the 1859 Pike’s Peak gold rush and social issues of the time.

The Lowries moved to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 2016. Ray took pride in being a lifelong learner through adult education classes, his book club, and what he called “meaningful conversations” with family and friends. A glass of red wine in his hand during those discussions made them even “more meaningful.”

Ray died April 1, 2024, and was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Mildred Cornelison Meder, Ernest Benson Lowrie, and Carlene Lowrie. He is survived by his wife, Mariann, Sun Lakes, Ariz; children, John C. Lowrie, Denver, Colo.; and Suzanne Lowrie, Sun Lakes, Ariz. Burial was held at the Arizona National Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ray’s memory to support the SME Professional Engineers’ Fund online at community.smenet.org/smefoundation/plannedgiving/memorial or by mail at SME Foundation, 12999 E. Adam Aircraft Circle, Englewood, CO 80112.

Doralee (Lee) Probert

Lee Probert, age 96, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024. Lee was born on Dec. 16, 1927, in the small town of Mineral, Ill. She graduated from Princeton High School and Gregg Business College in Chicago, where she pursued a career in office administration. She was recruited to work for ARAMCO, which took her to Saudi Arabia from 1955 to 1957. She traveled to Europe, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon as there was peace in the Middle East at that time. While there, she met Milad Rizk and they wed in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1957. They had one daughter, Milee, who was born in Chicago.

After too many bitter cold winters in the Chicago area, Lee’s next adventure took her to Phoenix, Ariz., where she worked as an executive administrative assistant and office manager for several firms.

She met and married Leonard Ulinger and retired early to enjoy life in the Sun Lakes Country Club. She was an avid tennis player and golfer, performed in the Chordaires, and put on many shows and skits. Lee and Len were married for 22 years and enjoyed cooler summers in his home in Payson, Ariz.

After Len passed away, Lee married a fellow tennis player and widower Daniel Probert. They enjoyed travel, cruises, and summers in Park City, Utah, for five blessed years before his passing.

Lee then moved to the Renaissance (now Robson Reserve) determined to enjoy bridge, ladies’ luncheons, entertainment, and numerous friends. Fate intervened and she met a new companion, Bob Cohn. They enjoyed 16 wonderful years together with travel and numerous adventures.

Lee was known for her kindness and willingness to help others, not only her mother and siblings, but also many friends. She was quick with a smile and a laugh, and she had a witty sense of humor. She loved playing cards (especially bridge) and had a sharp mind until the end. She was also an ardent supporter of many charities and was especially passionate about causes involving veterans.

She is survived by her daughter, Milee Marcotte; son-in-law, Thomas Marcotte; sister, Sharon Booth; nephew, Damon (Angela) Booth; and grand-nephews, Wyatt and Waylon Booth.

Due to her wishes, there was no formal service, but friends gathered for a small celebration in the Gardens of Sun Lakes Methodist Church.

Sharon Roeder

Many skim the obituaries curious to know each person’s cause of death. So let me get that out of the way upfront: Cancer killed me on May 7, 2024. Seventy-one years young, I was fortunate to live a long, fulfilled life (June 27, 1952-May 7, 2024). I was diagnosed with three breast cancers during my lifetime in 1990, 1996, and 2021. I am grateful treatment of the final cancer allowed me time with family and friends and to prepare for death.

A perk of writing your own obituary is that you get the last word. I never want you to commiserate on how ‘she lost her battle’ or ‘she fought a good fight.’ Cancer is clever. It can outsmart the treatments and immune defenses. Instead, focus on how I enjoyed life to the end and the time you spent with me.

I had opportunities to learn a lot along the way; primarily that you do not always have control of what happens in life. However, every life challenge is manageable if you remain faithful to God, kind, honest, helpful, and remain positive.

I worked in health care for over 40 years. I was fortunate to have jobs and managers that recognized my skills and passions. They provided opportunities to advocate for our cancer patients. On multiple occasions, I visited representatives at the state and national capitols. My efforts contributed to the expansion of available treatments and defense of fair Medicare and Medicaid coverage for cancer patients. I launched a new department for a national oncology network, to help patients who had no insurance or high copayments to find charitable assistance that allowed them to obtain treatment. We also appealed and advocated for patients denied cancer treatments by Medicare. The higher Medicare courts most often settled in our favor.

I loved my life. I loved nature, taking walks, swimming, water aerobics, reading a good book, and working puzzles. Most of all, I loved spending time with family and friends.

I missed my husband Vaughn, who passed in 2020, and held special memories of my wonderful parents. I look forward to seeing them again. I was blessed to have a loving family: six siblings, four brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, and 12 nieces and nephews, and many good friends. Life is good when you can share laughter and tears with others!

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Neighbors Who Care or raise a glass and give me a heartfelt or lighthearted toast.

Susanne Eileen (Steinbach) Rotsch

Susanne Eileen (Steinbach) Rotsch of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Aitkin, Minn., was welcomed into her next adventure on May 4, 2024, after complications with diabetes, heart, and kidney failure. As always, her loving husband, James, was at her side. She was 78.

Susanne was born in Wausau, Wis., on March 20, 1946. Her early years were spent across many Wisconsin and Minnesota locations. She graduated from Alexander Ramsey (Roseville) High School and W.R. Harper College in Chicago. Previously she had been employed by Northwest Airlines as a flight attendant until her husband’s work brought the family to Chicago. Susanne was a wonderful homemaker and mother.

Susanne was a person of strong will and could always be depended on. Attending the activities of her children and grandchildren were of great joy and importance to her. She always wanted to be in on the action. One of Susanne’s favorite accomplishments was acting in community theater productions while living in Grand Forks, N.D., and Rochester, Minn. She enjoyed living an active life, especially at their Lone Lake cabin where she swam, water skied, golfed, and paddle boarded. Yearly family ski trips to Vail are favorite memories. Upon retirement, Susanne and Jim built a home in Sun Lakes, and enjoyed activities with friends for the past 20 winters.

Susanne was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Penny Steinbach. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim; sister: Carrie (Steinbach) Altintop; three children: Michael (Joanne), Krysta (David) Farrell, and John (Tammy) Lawton; five grandchildren: Ava, Owen, Elle, Laura, Cal; and two great-grandchildren: Johnny Rae and Blair Morgan.

A private family gathering will take place at a later date.

Roy N. Wheeler

Roy N. Wheeler, U.S. Navy Korean Veteran, passed away on April 21, 2024, at the age of 92. Roy was born in Sacramento, Calif., on March 29, 1932, to the late Roy and Marjorie Wheeler. After graduating junior college and completing IBM training, Roy forged a successful career as a Field Engineer Manager for IBM. He also worked as a fitness center assistant. As a Korean War Navy veteran, Roy exemplified courage and patriotism, serving his country with honor and distinction. He was also a member of the Korean War Veterans Club.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Roy had a passion for fitness and wellness that was truly infectious. His enthusiasm for fitness was matched only by his love for sports, particularly his unwavering support for the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, and the Golden State Warriors.

In his leisure time, Roy enjoyed staying informed about current events, often tuning in to Fox News and Business. Above all else, Roy cherished spending time with his family and friends. His warm smile and kind heart created countless memories that will be treasured by all who knew him.

Roy is survived by his daughter, Jenni Morden; sons, Mike Wheeler, Jeff Wheeler, and Val Baldwin; his grandchildren, Hailey, Jake, Luke, and Katie; and his brothers, Dave and Tom Wheeler. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis Wheeler; parents, Marjorie and Roy Wheeler; and his brother, Steve Wheeler.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to all the special caregivers, doctors, nurses, and specialists who made Dad feel special during his last few months. His family will never forget all the love shown!

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Graveside Services, officiated by Chad Kent, to be held on June 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85024. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at IronOaks at Sun Lakes, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Roy’s memory to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Research at phoenixchildrens.org. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Wheeler family.