Deaths
These are some ofthe Recent Deaths in the Family.
Passing of Robert Stout Sundt
Robert Stout Sundt
1926 - 2024
BORN
1926
DIED
2024
UPCOMING SERVICE
Celebration Of Life
Oct. 12, 2024
2:00 p.m.
Christ Presbyterian Church
Robert Sundt Obituary
Robert "Bob" Stout Sundt passed away on September 10, 2024.
Bob, retired President of M. M. Sundt Construction Co., was an esteemed local, national, and international leader in the construction industry.
Born November 22, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA., Bob's early schooling occurred at Wenonah, New Jersey Elementary School. Family travels resulted in his completing elementary school in Tucson and Wenonah, and then graduating from Woodbury, New Jersey High School as President of the class of 1944. He was active in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 31 of Wenonah.
Bob went on to attend Swarthmore College before enlisting in the U. S. Navy in November 1944 as a Hospital Corpsman. He served at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Jamaica, Long Island and then aboard the USS Benevolence and USS Hermitage in the Pacific. Discharged in 1946, Bob returned to Swarthmore and then transferred to the University of Arizona, from which he graduated in 1950 with a degree from the Business College.
Bob started work on a full-time basis at M. M. Sundt Construction in May of 1950 and retired from the organization in June 1992. His work with Sundt drew him to projects in Nogales, Ft. Huachuca, Ganado, and Flagstaff in Arizona, and Santa Maria, California. Bob then became President and Managing Director of Arabian Sundt Ltd. From 1975 through 1986 on work performed in Saudi Arabia.
Bob was a Life Director of the Associated General Contractors of America, from which he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and past Chairman of its Heavy Industrial Division and past President of its Arizona Building Chapter. Bob was also past Chair of the Consulting Contractors Council of America and a founding board member of the Construction Industry Presidents' Forum.
Bob served Tucson and Arizona capacities. He was a 13-year member of the Board of Directors of Southwest Gas Corporation, was a former member of the Arizona State Retirement System Board of Directors, was of the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and was a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.
Bob belonged to the Rotary Club of Tucson, the Old Pueblo Club, Tucson Elks Lodge 385, Tucson Country Club, Ventana Golf and Racquet Club, Pinetop Country Club, University of Arizona Wildcat Club, University of Arizona President's Club, and was a founding member of the Davis Monthan 50 group. He was the recipient pf a DMAFB Community Wingman Award, 1993 Founders Award from the Tucson Chamber of Commerce, the SIR (Skill, Integrity, Responsibility) Award from the Associated General Contractors Arizona Building Chapter and the Construction Industry Good Scout Award from the Catalina Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1989, Bob received the Built Environment Excellence Award from the National Advisory Council of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture.
Bob is survived by his daughter Thea Sundt-Myers (husband Mason), granddaughter Caylei (great-granddaughter Genevieve), granddaughter Nicolle, daughter-in-law Karen (grandson Eric), and Mason's son Robert (wife Michelle and sons Jonathan, Elliot, Mason, and Luke).
A celebration of Bob's life and his love of family and friends will be held at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ, 85710, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 12.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, the Boy Scouts at 5049 E. Broadway, Tucson, 85711, or a charity of your choice.
Passing of Karen Ponish Mitchell
Mitchell, Karen Ponish
September 23, 1961- September 15, 2024
With grace, kindness, and strength, Karen Ponish Mitchell, 62, of Albert, NM, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, September 15, 2024, in Houston, TX. Karen was a blessing and a Christian witness to all as she bravely fought Stage IV Clear Cell Renal Cancer from October 2020 to September 2024. Throughout Karen's life, she treated everyone with respect and dignity. She never gossiped and embraced the positive side of people.
Karen was born September 23, 1961, in Beeville, TX, to Gale and Betty Ponish. She graduated from Hays High School in Kyle, TX, as the high-ranking female in 1979. She attended Texas A&M University with numerous college credits under her belt and graduated in 1982 with a dual major in business and psychology.
While in a college economics class, she met her soulmate and the love of her life, Thomas "Tom" E. Mitchell III of Albert, NM. They were married on August 8, 1987, in Austin, TX. The couple moved to the Tequesquite Ranch in Albert, NM, where she embraced ranch life and became a beloved member of the Harding County community. Karen participated in all ranch activities and pitched in wherever she was needed. She learned to ride, tattoo calves during branding, organize vaccines, cook tasty meals, and keep the crew laughing with her sense of humor.
Tom and Karen have three children: Lisa (Sy) Campbell of Amarillo, TX, Erin Mitchell of Wichita Falls, TX, and Adam Mitchell of Lufkin, TX. Karen raised her children to love Jesus in the Mosquero Community Church, where she taught Sunday School, led worship service, sang, and organized fun community activities, including the Valentine Dinners, where she and Tom would come dressed in costume and host an evening filled with laughter and food. Karen and Tom loved helping strengthen marriages and aiding people in achieving financial freedom through the many classes they hosted.
Karen supported and participated in all of her children's activities. Her kids say she was always intentional in facilitating memorable adventures. In the early years, she would haul a car full of kids to Pee Wee basketball games, feed them, and then coach the team. She helped the kids with 4-H projects, proofread speeches for FFA, and cheered at high school basketball games. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Whether flipping burgers, refereeing games, or decorating for prom, Karen was there at every turn. Karen valued education and a strong work ethic and proudly reared her children with those values. She would often say to Tom, "We raised good kids."
Karen's oldest, Lisa, is married to Sy Campbell, and they have two beautiful children, Kale and Natalie. Karen wholeheartedly loved being "Nonie" and prioritized making memories with her grandchildren. She cheered at hockey games, delighted in big Christmas celebrations, and loved carving pumpkins.
In the local community, Karen was an active Pinon Cowbells and DWI Prevention Council member and a huge supporter of the Harding County Fair. She will be remembered for creating prize-winning floats for the parade, baking mouth-watering pies for the auction, and serving as a ringman at the Harding County Fair sale. Karen cherished the High Plains Emmaus and Sunrise Emmaus ministries. She served as an Assistant Table Leader and advanced to Lay Director to share the love of Jesus.
Karen was elected as the Harding County Magistrate Judge in 1997. She served on the bench for 24 years, then retired in December 2022. Her colleagues say Judge Mitchell was a fair judge who was respected and loved by all. She brought grace, competence, ethics, compassion, energy, determination, and a sense of humor to tackle any task. During her term on the bench, Karen became a leader in the New Mexico judicial system. She was appointed to several committees by the NM Supreme Court and selected to chair the JIFFY committee, which oversees court automation and technology. This task force was instrumental in helping NM become a flagship state in implementing the Odyssey software system, which allows all NM Magistrate Courts to be connected online. She also served on the Education Committee, where she was influential in creating a curriculum for new judge training programs.
Judge Mitchell received the Certificate in Judicial Development Special Court Trial Skills from the National Judicial College in 2012. She served as secretary and then president of the Magistrate Judges' Association from 2010-2014. She taught at the Magistrate Judges' Conference and presented at conferences for the Judicial Education Center. Judge Mitchell was passionate about mentoring new magistrates and spent countless hours lobbying for judicial priorities at the NM Legislature. After Judge Mitchell discovered she had cancer, she did not slow down and continued to hear cases over video connection in Houston, TX.
She leaves behind her mother, Betty Ponish, of San Marcos, TX, and her brother, Jason (Cara) Ponish, of Liberty Hill, TX. She was preceded in death by her father, Gale Ponish. Karen was loved and will be missed by her family, community, and colleagues. She faithfully led by example and will be remembered for her gracious smile, forgiving heart, and unwavering faith in Jesus.
A service will be held at the University Church of Christ in San Marcos, TX, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 10:00 am. The burial will be in Kenedy, TX, at 3:00 pm. A celebration of life will be held in Harding County, NM, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in honor of Karen Mitchell to the following charities:
The Ranches: 6209 Hendrix Rd NE Suite 2, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Donate online: https://theranches.org/invest-in-our-youth/
Starfish Kenya: 760 Clearlake City BLVD, Webster, TX 77598
Donate online: https://www.starfishkenya.org/donate/
High Plains Emmaus: PO Box 55, Amherst, TX 79312
Donation note: In Memory of Karen Mitchell
Sunrise Emmaus: PO Box 93, Logan, NM 88426
Donation note: In Memory of Karen Mitchell
MD Cancer Center, Attn Ginger Araujo, Administrative Director MD Anderson Cancer Center- GU Medical Oncology: 1155 Pressler St., Unit 1374, Houston, TX 77033 Please enclose a note with the donation "We would like the donation to be used in its entirety to support Dr. Pavlos Msaouel's kidney cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center."
Donate online: https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx
Please select "I'd like to choose where my donations will go." Select "Other" from the drop-down list, and type "The funds should be used in their entirety for Dr. Pavlos Msaouel's kidney cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center." in the provided box.
Passing of Eliana Meray Alderete
July 28, 2003 ~ March 9, 2024 (age 20)
Eliana Meray Alderete (Alice Tribe - daughter of Jake Alderete & Lyndsi Chavez, granddaughter of Rick & Theresa Cole, great granddaughter of Janie & Jerry Cole) passed away on March 9, 2024.
She was born on 7-28-2003. Eliana was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and the Dr's said she would not live to her 1st birthday, but God had different plans and let us have her for 20 years here on earth. Life was not easy for Eliana, but she loved the Lord, had such a zest for life and was such an inspiration to be around. We praise God that we will reunite with her in heaven. Please keep this family in your prayers.
A celebration of Life will be on Friday March 15, at Grace Fellowship In Los Lunas.
Obituary posted for Eliana Meray Alderete. See http://www.noblin.com/obituary/Eliana-Alderete
Obituary for Eliana Meray Alderete | Noblin Funeral Service
Share memories & support the family
She will be greatly missed.
Passing of Linda Mitchell Davis
Beloved Matriarch of the Julia Tribe
We are saddened to hear of the passing today of our friend and longtime board member Linda Mitchell Davis.
A fourth-generation rancher, Linda grew up during the drought of the early 1930s and developed a tough work ethic as a ranch hand. She was named the New Mexico Cattleman of the Year in 1990, and in 1992 she became the second female recipient of the Golden Spur Award, given to the top cattle rancher in the nation.
Linda was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners, along with her husband Les, in 2000 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Western Heritage Awards. She was also a founding member of the Annie Oakley Society and received the society’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Her father, Albert K. Mitchell, was a founding board member of the Museum and served as the Museum’s first board chairman.
Linda truly exemplified the Western values of hard work and dedication to preserving the land.
She will be greatly missed.
Passing of Ann Marlene Sundt Berg
Ann Berg (youngest daughter of Martin & Annie Sundt) passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, the 16th of November. She had dementia for the last 10+ years. I have attached her obituary with photo and here is the link to her on line obituary See http://www.wrightsfuneralparlor.net/obituary/Ann-Berg
Please keep Ann's daughters and families in your thoughts and prayers.
Life Tribute Videos
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P4hWtxNzUH2SA4RdI5BoU1hmMAZlvp5T/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OmaScu0iz3Tgd4f5nPRTe43EwMOBPE95/view?usp=drive_link
Ann's Memorial Flyer
Cards may be sent to her 3 daughters and 2 granddaughters at:
Mary Taylor
3104 Tarpon Dr. Unit 202
Las Vegas, NV 89120
Linda & Robert Nordgulen
156 Calle Del Sor Dr.
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Debbie Dennis
633 Washington Dr.
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Elise Dennis
6705 Greenbrook Circle
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Katie Wilson
15941 Hutton Lane
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Passing of Louise Whalley Rickard
Louise Whalley Rickard
June 8, 1944 - December 30, 2022
Louise Rickard was the former wife of Pat Rickard, who was the son of Fran & Ricke Rickard, and the grandson of Joe Sundt. She is the mother of David Rickard and Joelle Rickard.
To sign the online guest book, send a condolence or leave treasured memories and photos on the tribute wall, please visit:
www.fuitenrosehoyt.com/obituaries/Louise-W-Rickard?obId=26823900
Passing of Eric Sundt
Eric Sundt
It is with great sadness to share the news that Eric Sundt passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023 due to a ruptured aneurysm. Eric was the son of Bob and Frances Sundt, brother of Thea, grandson of Thoralf and Elinor Sundt, and was the husband of Karen and father of Eric Stout Sundt. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
Cards may be sent to:
Karen & Eric S. Sundt
619 S. Camino Sereno
Apache Junction, AZ 85219
Thea & Mason Myers & Bob Sundt
215 E. Brearley Dr.
Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Passing of Dewey Gale Pierce
Dewey Gale Pierce, age 79, of Texico, NM passed away December 2, 2022. Service will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 1501 South Sycamore St, with Jeb Archey officiating.
Dewey was born February 7, 1943, in Clovis NM. On May 27, 1966, Dewey married the love of his life, Alice F Mavis and from there they had three beautiful children. Dewey was a lay leader for the FUMC, was a Curry County Fair board member, a Curry County Fair Livestock announcer, a captain of the Curry County 42 League, a captain of the Curry County Mounted Patrol and involved with the High Plains Emmaus Community. Throughout his life, Dewey was a farmer, schoolteacher, counselor, and principal.
Survivors include his wife; Alice Pierce of the home, three children; Jubal Pierce (Laney) of Melrose, NM, Robin Miller of Texico, NM, and Penny Pierce of Paulden, AZ, one brother; Terry Pierce (AndaRee) of Pinon, NM, eight grandchildren; Justly Pierce, Jake Pierce, Kolten Miller (Hannah), Kyler Miller (July), Kaylee Miller, Kadence Dorman, Kyle Dorman, and Kreed Kasun, and 4 great grandkids; Kenzlie Miller, Kaidyn Miller, Jaxen Miller and Jensyn Miller. He is preceded in death by his grandparents; Forrest and Lena Lee, parents; Dewey Austin and Dorothy (George) Pierce Zelle, one brother; Johnny Pierce, and one sister; Dona K. Guy.
In lieu of flowers make memorial contributions to: New Mexico Boys Ranch 6209 Hendrix Ave. Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87110, CalFarley’s Boy Ranch at Calfarley.org, or St Jude at Stjude.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, www.muffleyfuneral.com, (575) 762-4435.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Dewey Gale Pierce, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Passing of John Siczka
John Siczka’s Obituary December 6, 1932 - June 4, 2022 John Siczka, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on June 4, 2022, in The Villages, Florida, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on December 6, 1932, in Wilmington, Delaware to Ukrainian immigrant parents, Katherine and Harry Siczka. John often shared fond memories of growing up in his Ukrainian community, learning Ukrainian dancing, hanging out with the Firemen at the Fire Station, participating in crazy antics with his many childhood friends, and playing basketball at the South Wilmington Ukrainian Club, as well as for the Varsity Team at Wilmington High School. As an adolescent and young man, John delivered papers and worked at his Cousin Charlie Siczka’s bakery in Wilmington. A lover of education and learning, John won the American Legion Award in junior high for the highest academics.
John was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1954 and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. After college, he served two years in the United States Army in Germany as a radio morse code operator. While serving, he continued athletics, enjoying track and field, especially the hurdles, in addition to traveling extensively around Europe. He met his wife, Christine Thea Sundt, when he returned to the University of Delaware for graduate studies. They enjoyed just shy of 62 years of marriage, raising 3 children in the far-flung states of Maryland, Delaware, Montana, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
For most of his career, John pursued manufacturing management in paper, plastics and chemicals. He began his engineering career at Haveg Chemical Corp. in Wilmington, DE and honed his skills at West Virginia Pulp and Paper (Luke, MD), Hoerner Waldorf Corp. (Missoula, MT), Royalty Industries (Miami, FL), and Hercules and Schneider (Pittsburgh, PA). Later in his career, John utilized his engineering experience by working in the IRS Engineering Valuation Department in Cincinnati, OH.
John loved outdoor recreation including: building and sailing his own Sailfish sailboat, snorkeling, teaching his kids to downhill ski, shooting baskets, and playing wiffle ball with his son and their dogs, Snuggles and Hannah. Other interests included Toastmasters, playing bridge, the Pittsburgh Wine and Dine Club, the Band Parents Association, pop up camper camping, and church activities. His favorite pastimes were traveling (recorded on his camcorder) and dancing with his wife. John was an active member of both Methodist and Presbyterian congregations over the years, teaching children’s Sunday School, serving as a deacon, and running the unemployment group. Upon retiring to The Villages in 2004, he enjoyed all types of social groups and was a Villages Senior Games participant. At his most recent church home, Northlake Presbyterian Church, he and his wife ran the Sunday Service greeters program for many years, started the couples bridge group, and volunteered with Operation Homebound delivering meals. Many will remember John for his ability to strike up in-depth conversations with anyone, and his uncanny ability to remember people and facts in detail from decades ago! In recent years, he could often be seen cutting his lawn, hot gluing something, or gleefully riding his bike through the neighborhood. His children will fondly remember his participation in all their diverse activities including: endless dance recitals and church choir performances, twirling, marching band, scouts, basketball, soccer, and skiing. John thoroughly enjoyed making Christmas magical for his children – the “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas! This is Santa Claus!” of Santa’s voice on the family tape recorder Christmas morning will never be forgotten, nor will wrestling matches in bed on Saturday mornings, or the many Disney adventures! His grandchildren will treasure the many trips they enjoyed together including large family reunions, overseas travel in England and Japan, beach holidays, and numerous local sightseeing adventures. John was a true family man, as he was proactively involved with his wife, children, and grandchildren in all of their activities!
John is survived by his wife, Christine Sundt Siczka, his daughters, Sharon Campbell (John) of Evanston, IL, and Debra Kropiewnicki (Bob) of Winterville, NC; his son, John S. Siczka (Annalisa) of Fox Point, WI; and seven grandchildren (Jack, Alex, Tyler, Ben, Jacob, Kellen, and Molly). He was preceded in death by his two sisters Estelle Wisniewski (Townsend, DE) and Anne Friel (Wilmington, DE).
A Celebration of Life service will be held on August 4, 2022, at 10 am at Northlake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake, FL, and his remains will be interred at 2 pm at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.