Obituary: Ivo Elmer Shults

Long-time Rio Blanco County rancher Ivo Elmer Shults died July 28, 2009. He was 100 years old.
Borm May 30, 1909, in York, Neb., he was the fourth child of Walter O. and Lola Eddy Shults. Ivo moved with his family by horse-drawn covered wagon to Otis, Colo., when he was 5 years old. His family moved to Grand Valley in 1923 before moving to Piceance Creek in 1926. Ivo attended country schools in Otis and Grand Valley. He was graduated from Rifle High School in 1928 and moved to Meeker shortly thereafter. Ivo worked for Ambrose Oldland delivering groceries with a team and wagon. He also worked for Loren Idol and the U.S. Forest Service.
In 1935, when he was working for John Oldland, Ivo met his future bride, Winnie Burke. They were married on Sept. 19, 1937, in Glenwood Springs and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary before Winnie’s death in 2003. They were the proud parents of a daughter, Lo Ann, and son Lonnie.
In 1938 Ivo and Winnie bought their ranch in Powell Park. It was located on a Colorado Conservation Corp (CCC) camp. Ivo looked after the camp’s needs and after the camp was disassembled, he built the Shults ranch. Ivo loved riding horses, his many dogs and fishing the White River.
Ivo was a dedicated public servant. He served as Rio Blanco County Commissioner from 1961 to 1969. He served on the Meeker RE-1 School Board and the Powell Park School Board. He was also a member of the Rio Blanco County Cattleman’s Association.
Ivo is survived by his daughter Lo Ann Klinglesmith (Lowell); his son Lonnie Shults (Peggy); four grandchildren, six great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Preceding him in death were his wife Winnie Shults; his parents; his brothers Earl, Claude, Philip, Walter “Buck”and Donald and his sisters Bessie, Winifred and Bernece.
Services were held July 31 at Highland Cemetery. Donations may be made in memory of Ivo Shults to Walbridge Activity Fund Cochran Memorial Chapel.