03161971 - 04172026 Kevin Carl Kerns, 55, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away at his home on April 17, 2026.Kevin was born on March 16, 1971, in Grand Junction, Colorado. He grew up in Grand Junction and graduated from Central High School before relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1990. Kevin enjoyed golf, volleyball, poker tournaments, and fishing. An avid fisherman, he especially loved returning to Colorado several times each year to fish the Gunnison River. He also enjoyed playing poker both online and in person with friends and fellow competitors. He was a diehard Denver Broncos fan. Kevin is survived by his wife, Laura; his mother, Rosie; his brother, John; his sister-in-law, Lisa; his niece, Hannah; and his nephew, Kyle. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Melvin Kerns. Those wishing to honor Kevin's memory may consider a donation in his name to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Kevin's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

March 5th, 1929 - April 10th, 2026 Shirley Ruth Klapal, age 97, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, in Grand Junction, Colorado.Shirley was born in Nebraska to Valentine August Mockenhaupt and Iola Belle (Fisher) Mockenhaupt. She grew up with strong values of hard work and family that she carried with her throughout her life. Shirley met her husband, Adolph "Frank" Klapal, while working at the Elgin Watch Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. The two were married on May 7, 1955, beginning a lifelong marriage built on love, dedication, and shared ambition. Together, they built a life rooted in family and entrepreneurship, opening four service stations in Lincoln before moving to Colorado, where they owned and operated two auto parts stores. Shirley played an essential role in their business ventures, keeping the books and helping ensure their success. After retiring, Shirley and Frank moved to Arizona, where they enjoyed a new chapter of life together before eventually settling in Grand Junction to be closer to family. Shirley was known for her quiet strength, steady presence, and deep devotion to her family. She found her greatest joy in time spent with her loved ones and took pride in the life she and Frank built together. Whether supporting the family business, caring for her home, or simply being there for those she loved, she did so with grace and humility. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Klapal, and her daughter, Jacque Gaskill. Shirley is survived by her late daughter's husband William; grandchildren, Jason (Rebekah) and Jamie (Brad); and her great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Linkin, Shay, Skylar, and Micah. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Brown's Cremation & Funeral Service. A celebration of life will be held at the VA cemetery in Grand Junction on Saturday, July 10 at 3pm. Burial to follow. Memorial contributions can be made in Shirley's name to the Royce Hurst Humane Society or Grand River Humane Society.

April 20th, 1954 – May 2nd, 2026 The world lost a kind and gentle soul as Steven Ausmus passed quietly in his sleep on May 2nd, 2026. Steven was born on April 20th, 1954, at St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Louis “Buzz” Ausmus and Rosalie Marie Arcieri. He was welcomed into the family by his big sister, Ronalyn. Steven’s primary education started at the former Redlands Elementary School and continued to Orchard Mesa Junior High School and then to Fruita Monument High School and Grand Junction High School. He graduated in 1972. He attended the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration. Steven was most proud of his contributions to the Grand Junction Economic Development, Mesa County Administration, School District 51, Colorado Mesa University, as well as the legal community at large. Steven was proud of his humble Ausmus family heritage in Norwood, Colorado, as well as the vibrant Italian side of his family and their contribution to the culture of the Grand Valley. He was a devoted son to his parents, especially to his mother Rosalie in her final years. He made sure she was able to attend weekly Sunday Masses at St. Joseph’s Church. Steven reveled in music festivals and sporting events and participated in the local soccer community. He enjoyed hiking the Colorado National Monument and the mountains around the family cabin at Trout Lake above Telluride. Steven was an accomplished guitarist. In high school, he and his friends, Lawerence Valdez and Bill “Peb” Rock, formed a rock band, “Alpo Grit.” They played at school dances and venues across the Grand Valley. He had a lifelong love affair with music, spanning multiple genres. In the summer of 1976, Steven and his friend Kenny McKenzie backpacked through Europe, stopping in England and Germany to visit friends. He always made time to connect with the people in his world. He lived a life of kindness, love, selflessness, humility, and respect for others. He generously left a monument and funds for the upkeep of the Ausmus family gravesites in Norwood. He also made civic contributions to Grand Junction, the city he loved. Steven’s legacy lives on in the trails he hiked and the lives he touched, which are many. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends, including Bill Bailey, Jimmy Bailey, Rick Enstrom, Kenny McKenzie, Don Morehouse, David White, Pat Page, Mark Shaffer, and many others who meant the world to him. He is survived by his Aunt Marilyn Arcieri Richardson and family, his niece Kazia and her husband Kirk Trujillo, nephews Kylan and Bryce Trujillo, and many cousins from the Arcieri, Ausmus, and Latto families. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ronalyn Cook. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 14th at 11:00 a.m. at St Joseph’s Church. A reception will immediately follow in Parish Hall. Please consider contributions in Steven’s memory to Grand Junction Catholic Outreach or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been made by Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.

Dwight Earl Shank, 84, passed peacefully from his earthly life to his heavenly home on May 9, 2026. He was born on October 19, 1941, in Sterling, Illinois, to James Leroy Shank and Phyllis Elizabeth (Miller) Shank. As the eldest of six children, Dwight dearly loved and cherished his five sisters: Delores Karpinen, Donna Dilts, Delma Shank, Dawn Hurley, and Denise “Jo” Jones. Dwight attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Management. It was there that he met the love of his life, Cherie Lynn Mertens. The two were married on August 19, 1967, and together they built a loving family, raising their two children, Kelly Shank and Jeffrey Shank. Following college, Dwight proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Captain in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit during the Vietnam War. He was wounded in service and received several honors and commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Purple Heart. Dwight spent many years working in sales before becoming the owner of Rocky Mountain Aggregate Supply. After retirement, he and Cherie enjoyed traveling together and embracing the RV lifestyle. A man of deep faith, compassion, and kindness, Dwight lived with a heart devoted to God and to those he loved. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend whose warmth, strength, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, James and Phyllis Shank; his sisters, Delores, Donna, and Delma; and his son, Jeffrey Shank. He is survived by his beloved wife, Cherie Shank; his daughter, Kelly Shank; his sisters, Dawn Hurley and Denise “Jo” Jones; his grandson, Joshua Knudsen; his granddaughter, Ashley Shank; and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to HopeWest Hospice, 3090 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Redlands Community Church Chapel, 2327 Broadway, Grand Junction, CO 81507.

May 04, 2026 Lu Ann Hubbard Laughlin passed away at the age of 87 on May 4, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM with her daughter and son-in-law beside her as she took her last breath and transitioned to be in the loving care of our Lord. She was born in Farmington, NM to her parents Lloyd and Annie Mae Hubbard who preceded her in death along with her two deceased sisters, Nettie Mae and Eva Marie. Lu Ann was a dedicated and loyal wife of 65 years to her husband Hugh C Laughlin who passed away in 2023.Lu Ann is survived by her son Darren Ray Laughlin, daughter Carrie Ann and husband Vance Garza and daughter Cheryl Lynne and husband Mark Goodale. She is also survived by her sister Phyllis Sue Lamb and many cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as cherished family members on her husband's side of the family who loved Lu Ann. She began college at The University of New Mexico after she graduated from Farmington High School in 1957. She postponed her college pursuits to marry Hugh in 1958. Together they helped run her parents Hubbard A & G Grocery & Meat Market in Farmington and took over management after her father passed away. During these years she gave birth to 3 children and the family eventually moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1972. Lu Ann worked various jobs including assembling circuit boards at a factory for a couple years and later worked for H & R Block as a seasonal tax preparer for many years. She went back to college in her 50's and achieved an Associate Degree in Medical Transcription in 1990 from Colorado Mesa State College. She put her new degree to work doing transcription records for two local businesses in Grand Junction. Lu Ann belonged to the First United Presbyterian Church in Farmington and later in Grand Junction for several years. She was active in her Church and taught Adult Sunday School for a while. In her later years she became a TV Church Goer and among her favorite services were Joseph Prince Ministries and Discovering the Jewish Jesus Ministries with Rabbi Kirt Schneider on Sundays. She also watched the 700 Club regularly. She liked to cook, try new recipes, and decorated cakes with amazing skill and artistry. Lu Ann enjoyed summer trips to her family's mountain cabin, seeing wildlife and especially watching all kinds of birds. She treasured her Colorado home where she helped create yards with numerous varieties of flowers, trees and bushes. Lu Ann enjoyed traveling and meticulously planned them. She felt privileged to go on many worldwide cruises with her mother. Lu Ann often expressed her love to others by sewing for them. Her sewing gifts for family and friends included deer skin mountain man fringed tunic and pants, leather vests, coats, purses, and even gymnastic uneven parallel bar hand grips! She sewed extraordinary dresses and formals for all occasions; made honeymoon lingerie, Barbie clothes, custom swimsuits, furniture cushions, curtains, upholstered couches, and taught leather crafts to a Boy Scout Troop at her church one fall. Lu Ann loved her family and supported them in their life pursuits whenever and however she could emotionally and financially. She also loved dogs and cared for several over the years as well as cats she inherited when a daughter went away to college. The foundation of her character was the strength and perseverance she demonstrated to endure many illnesses, surgeries and later reoccurring cancer which eventually took her life. She taught her children right from wrong by instilling Christian values for which her family is grateful. We miss her every day in so many ways and will remember her in our hearts forever as we look forward to seeing her again one day in heaven.

May 6, 1945 – October 8, 2025 Noelle Goslee Smith, 80, passed away on October 8, 2025 due to injuries from a car crash. She was born on May 6, 1945 in Ohio to two gifted classical musicians, Ernestine Yount (bass, cello) and George Goslee (bassoon). At the University of Rochester she met Christian Wyser-Pratte, to whom she was married for 17 years. Noelle played cello for six decades, participating in many Chicago-area symphonies and string quartets. She later married Robert C. Smith, and moved to Grand Junction in 2002 so she could play in The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra. A beloved cello teacher, Noelle was also an accomplished black-and-white photographer, a fly-fisher, an adopter of rescued dogs, and a cherished family member. Her memorial will be Saturday, June 20th, at 10:00 am at a private home. Contact Snyder Memorials for details and thorough obituary. Please send donations to the Noelle Goslee Smith Education Fund supporting children's music education: https://gjso.org/support/noelle-goslee-smith-education-fund/