Richard Gene "Dick" Sarten
Marriages
Mary Ellen Shoffner - 1951
Edith Christensen - 1974
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B Obit - September 14, 2010
Richard Gene "Dick" Sarten of Lakewood passed away on
Wednesday, September 8 after a courageous battle with cancer. He
has left family and friends who will long remember him by his quick
wit, dry sense of humor, and rhyming tales. His peaceful garden,
complete with waterfall, squirrels, and birds will thrive thanks to his
efforts. He was an avid collector of rare rocks, arrowheads, and
coins.
Dick was born to Albert and Murle Sarten in Topeka, Kansas on
October 15, 1930, the youngest of five children. The family moved
to Leadville so that Albert could assist in the war effort, and Dick
finished high school there in 1948.
Dick married Mary Ellen Shoffner in 1951, and they had one son,
Rick. The couple later divorced, and in 1974 he remarried Edith
Christensen.
Dick's service during the Korean Conflict took him to Whittier,
Alaska, from 1951 to 1953. Dick's City Market career as store manager
started in Rifle and then it took him to Grand Junction. He and
his wife Edie later owned and operated several grocery and convenience
stores.
He was proud to be a founding member of the Rifle Creek Golf
Course, and he was involved in many community leadership roles
during his time in Rifle. His love of the game of golf will live
through many of his family members and friends, most especially
his son.
Dick will be missed by Edie, his wife of 36 years. He is also survived
by his sisters, Florence Pascal and Lila Crouch of Denver, and
brother, Donald Sarten of California. His sister, Elaine Porter preceded
him in death.
He is also survived by his son, Rick Sarten (Peggy) of Grand Junction,
and his step-children, Laura Kretschman (Chris) of Grand
Junction; Kip Christensen (Dani) of Battlement Mesa, and Kevin
Christensen (Shirley) of Denver.
His grandchildren treasure their conversations with Dick where he
reminded them so clearly to stay on the right path of life, and he was
dedicated to their activities. His grandchildren in Grand Junction are
Ryan Sarten (Heather), Shauna Nordine (Justin) and Travis Christensen
(Lacie). In Fruita, Cole Christensen (Lauren). In Battlement
Mesa, Ashley Christensen (Bruce Reese). In Aurora, Justine Cooper
Vigil (Chris) and Cheri Lopez Taylor (Darrell). Jason Christensen
preceded Dick in death in 1980 .
Graveside services will be held Friday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.
at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. In lieu of flowers,
please consider making a contribution in Dick's name to Collier
Hospice Center c/o Lutheran Medical Center Foundation at 8300 W.
38th Ave., Wheatridge, CO 80033 where he received very compassionate
care. Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown
Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, CO.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 8A - September 15, 2010
Richard Gene "Dick" Sarten of Lakewood passed away on
Wednesday, September 8 after a courageous battle with cancer. He
has left family and friends who will long remember him by his quick
wit, dry sense of humor, and rhyming tales. His peaceful garden,
complete with waterfall, squirrels, and birds will thrive thanks to his
efforts. He was an avid collector of rare rocks, arrowheads, and
coins.
Dick was born to Albert and Murle Sarten in Topeka, Kansas on
October 15, 1930, the youngest of five children. The family moved
to Leadville so that Albert could assist in the war effort, and Dick
finished high school there in 1948.
Dick married Mary Ellen Shoffner in 1951, and they had one son,
Rick. The couple later divorced, and in 1974 he remarried Edith
Christensen.
Dick's service during the Korean Conflict took him to Whittier,
Alaska, from 1951 to 1953. Dick's City Market career as store manager
started in Rifle and then it took him to Grand Junction. He and
his wife Edie later owned and operated several grocery and convenience
stores.
He was proud to be a founding member of the Rifle Creek Golf
Course, and he was involved in many community leadership roles
during his time in Rifle. His love of the game of golf will live
through many of his family members and friends, most especially
his son.
Dick will be missed by Edie, his wife of 36 years. He is also survived
by his sisters, Florence Pascal and Lila Crouch of Denver, and
brother, Donald Sarten of California. His sister, Elaine Porter preceded
him in death.
He is also survived by his son, Rick Sarten (Peggy) of Grand Junction,
and his step-children, Laura Kretschman (Chris) of Grand
Junction; Kip Christensen (Dani) of Battlement Mesa, and Kevin
Christensen (Shirley) of Denver.
His grandchildren treasure their conversations with Dick where he
reminded them so clearly to stay on the right path of life, and he was
dedicated to their activities. His grandchildren in Grand Junction are
Ryan Sarten (Heather), Shauna Nordine (Justin) and Travis Christensen
(Lacie). In Fruita, Cole Christensen (Lauren). In Battlement
Mesa, Ashley Christensen (Bruce Reese). In Aurora, Justine Cooper
Vigil (Chris) and Cheri Lopez Taylor (Darrell). Jason Christensen
preceded Dick in death in 1980 .
Graveside services will be held Friday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.
at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. In lieu of flowers,
please consider making a contribution in Dick's name to Collier
Hospice Center c/o Lutheran Medical Center Foundation at 8300 W.
38th Ave., Wheatridge, CO 80033 where he received very compassionate
care. Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown
Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, CO.
