Meeker, Obituaries

Obituary: Erika ‘Oma’ Flaherty

Longtime Meeker resident Erika Flaherty died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a long illness with dementia.

Erika was born in Bayreuth, Germany, to Emil and Babette Kurzdorfer. She was the youngest of four children.
Erika was preceded in death by; her parents; two brothers, Karl and Lothar; one sister, Elfriede, all from Germany; and her late husband, Dick Flaherty of Meeker.
Erika met and married Donald Wayne Ridgeway in Germany. Donnie and Erika were married Feb. 7, 1959. Two children were born from this union. Randy Wayne Ridgeway born in Neueremberg, Germany, and and Cheryl Renee Ridgeway (Mazzola) was born in Meeker, Colo. Donnie and Erika divorced in 1988.
Erika became a United States citizen in 1982 and was proud to call America her new home.
Erika worked very hard supporting and nurturing her family and made sure her children were taken care of. She worked cleaning houses, was self-employed and spent many years working as a CNA at Pioneer’s Hospital. Her love was caring for those in need.
She was very passionate and compassionate when it came to taking care of her patients, and anyone who was a recipient of her kindness benefited from her loving touch and kind words. She retired from Pioneers Hospital in 1996.
Erika married Dick Flaherty on Sept. 17, 1994. They were able to enjoy their retirement years traveling and spending time with family and friends. Dick passed away in 2008.
Erika was a wonderful wife, mother, Oma (grandmother), aunt, sister, sister-in-law and friend. She loved to garden and enjoyed the beautiful flowers; reaping the fruits of her gardening labor with her family and friends. She loved all the birds and fed them well (along with the deer and squirrels).
She spent many hours doing jigsaw puzzles, reading books, cooking wonderful meals, playing cards (especially Pitch) and loved to play penny slot machines every chance she had.
Erika is survived by: her two children Randy (Teresa) Ridgeway and Cheryl (Anthony) Mazzola; four grandchildren, DJ, Jason, Danny Ridgeway and Anthony “Bubba” Mazzola; seven great-grandchildren, Tanner, Macy, Madison, Dayton, Kayden and Kyler Ridgeway and, recently, Deklan Rose; and many family members in Germany and across the US.
Funeral services were held Wednesday June 1, 2016, at Meeker United Methodist Church, and interment followed at Highland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hope West Meeker at 575 3rd St., Meeker Colo. 81641, online at HopeWestCO.org or to the Walbridge Wing Activity Fund, c/o Pioneers Medical Center, 100 Pioneers Medical Center Drive, Meeker, Colo. 81641.

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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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