George Wickstrom Obituary

Former Durango resident George Olaf Wickstrom died Monday, April 21, 2014, in Mesa, Ariz. He was 76.

Mr. Wickstrom was born to Alice and Arthur Wickstrom on June 18, 1937, in Boulder. He attended school from kindergarten to 12th grade in Boulder and joined the Army in 1956 after graduation. He was in the military from 1956 to 1958 and was stationed in Japan for part of his military service.

In 1967, he married Lorraine Flatten in East Grand Forks, Minn., and they had two sons while living in Mason City, Iowa. The family wanted to move back to Colorado and did so in 1974, when they moved to Durango. They have lived in Cortez since 1976.

Mr. Wickstrom studied education, earning a bachelor's degree from what is now the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, a master's degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, with further graduate work at Montana State University.

He spent 20 years as a teacher and school administrator, including two years as assistant principal at Durango High School.

He especially enjoyed working with junior high-age students, his family said, serving as principal of Cortez Junior High School for 10 years. "George also took joy in driving a tour bus in the Colorado mountains for many years," according to his family.

The Wickstroms purchased Bru's House of Color, a business that perfectly suited their family, in 1986. Upon retiring in 2000, they traveled extensively, and Mr. Wickstrom developed his love-hate relationship with golf. Lake Powell was a favorite family destination for years.

"He was always quick to be a friend in need and was a loving, generous husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather," according to his family.

Mr. Wickstrom is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lorraine Wickstrom, of Cortez; sons Craig Wickstrom of Dolores and Scott Wickstrom of Arvada; brother, Wendell Wickstrom, of Boulder; sister, Shirley Abbott, of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; and four grandchildren.

Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. today, April 25, 2014, at Ertel Memorial Chapel, 42 N. Market St., in Cortez. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 208 N. Dolores Road, in Cortez. A graveside service will be held at Cortez Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Preschool, P.O. Box 989, Cortez, CO 81321; or the American Cancer Society of Durango, 1800 East Third Ave., Suite 101, Durango, CO 81301.

Visit www.ertelfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.