Kathryn Tucker Obituary

Bayfield resident Kathryn Marie Tucker died Monday, June 6, 2011, at home. She was 96.

Mrs. Tucker was born to Fred and Anna Sheckler on Jan. 22, 1915, in Vallejo, Calif. Her family moved from California to Hanover, Kan., then to Enid, Okla., near Oklahoma City. Mrs. Tucker graduated from high school in Oklahoma.

She then moved to Summit Point near Monticello, Utah, where the family homesteaded.

She met Carl Tucker in Summit Point, and they were married Jan. 31, 1933, in Moab, Utah. After they married, the Tuckers lived in an original log cabin. They later moved to Colorado, where they mined and ranched in Meeker, Telluride and then all over the Western Slope. They lived for 30 years in Bedrock in the Paradox Valley and then, most recently, for 20 years in Bayfield.

Mrs. Tucker enjoyed quilting, cooking, bead crafts and sewing. She was known for winning ribbons for her collection of frogs made of a variety of materials at the La Plata County Fair.

"She was devoted to her family – her family was her life," her family wrote.

Mrs. Tucker was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Carl Tucker; and sons Dickie Tucker and Bob Tucker.

Mrs. Tucker is survived by her sons Tommy Tucker and Dave Tucker, both of Bayfield; daughters Mary Pedersen of Bayfield and Pat Tucker of Nucla; 18 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren, and four great-great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011, at the cemetery in Yellow Jacket, north of Cortez. A picnic for family and friends will be held at Robbie Tucker's home in Yellow Jacket immediately after the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.