Mrs. Loretta Skeets Jane Loretta Jane Stauffer Jones

Loretta Jane Stauffer was born on July 25, 1932 to Juanita Daniels and Henry Thurman Stauffer on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. She was Juanita’s third child being preceded by Ernest Gendill and Luella Gendill and she was followed by her sister, Shirley Jean Stauffer. Loretta’s father was what is known as a jack of all trades, and he was good at whatever job he did. Henry also may have had a bit of gypsy blood in him in that he never stayed in any one place for very long. This caused the family to move often which led to many different living conditions (the family lived in tents during the summer months on more than one occasion as well as living in a gas station at one time.) They also lived at many locations with the majority being in the Boulder County area and in California.

Both of Loretta’s parents’ families had very strong ties to the Boulder area with many locations that she visited or lived at becoming well known to this day. While in the Boulder County area, Loretta’s family lived on the Martin Ranch in Lefthand Canyon, near the Slide Mine where her father worked. Loretta shared many stories also of visiting the Walker Ranch west of Boulder and a drive through Jamestown, Ward, Nederland and Eldora would encompass the area where much of Loretta’s life in Colorado was spent. She also had family in Buena Vista where she spent time in her youth.

Loretta’s family moved to California during the early years of World War II where many members of her family found employment at the Mare Island Navy Ship Yards. Loretta was not old enough to work at the yards during that time, but her experiences and memories of the sights, sounds and even smells were very vivid and became a very big part of her life. Following the war, Loretta’s family returned to the Boulder area where she lived until joining the United States Army in 1950. She served for two years during which time she was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, Ft. Lee, Virginia and Ft. Benning, Georgia. Upon her discharge, Loretta returned to her family home in Jamestown, Colorado. It was while living in Jamestown that Loretta met her future husband, Robert C. Jones Jr. (Bob).

Bob and Loretta were married on December 22, 1956 in Boulder, Colorado. Bob was going to school at the New Mexico School of Mines in Socorro, New Mexico during the school year and working at various mines and mills during the summer months. Their first home was a small house trailer which they would move between school and whatever work site. It was while Bob was attending school in Socorro that Loretta gave birth to their first child, Wendy Lou.

Upon graduation, Bob and Loretta moved their growing family to Buena Vista, Colorado and Bob began what would become a 26 year career with Amax Metals Corp. at the Climax Mine. While living in Buena Vista, Loretta gave birth to their second child, Robert C. Jones III (Bret). Shortly after Bret’s birth, Bob and Loretta purchased a home in Leadville, Colorado where they would remain for a number of years. During their time in Leadville, Loretta was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Elks Lodge in Leadville and also ready to help in any way with activities at Wendy’s school and then Bret’s when he began attending school.

It was while living in Leadville that Loretta was first diagnosed with cancer and she spent many weeks in Denver receiving treatments. This was the beginning of what would be numerous bouts with cancer as well as other health issues that would severely affect Loretta in many ways, some for the rest of her life. While Loretta’s cancer was found early and treatments were effective, Loretta would watch the same disease claim much of her family, including her father, a brother, a sister, a brother-in-law, an aunt as well as others.

In 1972, Bob was transferred to the Henderson Mine near Berthoud Pass so once again Loretta packed everything up for yet another move. This time Loretta, Bob, Wendy and Bret moved to Lakewood, Colorado west of Denver. As in the past, Loretta was always there to lend a hand with class activities when needed at Wendy’s and Bret’s schools. While living in Lakewood, Bob and Loretta became members of the travel club Ports of Call. This provided them with many chances to visit new and exciting destinations both within the United States and in foreign countries. Loretta had wanted to travel and see more of the world which this gave her that opportunity to do. Regretfully, Loretta still had many destinations which she was never able to visit.

Once again Loretta had to pack up her home for yet another move. Bob had been promoted to a position at the Climax Mine where he had started his career. And as if retracing their beginnings, Bob and Loretta purchased a home in Buena Vista. One of Loretta’s forms of entertainment at their home was to watch the deer that would pass by in the mornings and in the evenings moving between their forages. Her only complaint of the deer was constantly needing to clean the lower level windows because of the nose prints that the deer would leave when they would peak in the windows.

Following Bobs retirement from Amax in 1985, Loretta packed for what would hopefully be their last move. They purchased a home in Niwot, Colorado near Longmont. Loretta’s new home would give many opportunities to practice one of her many hobbies, this being redecorating as well as remodeling. Bob and Loretta would enlarge their home as well as make it a very welcoming and comfortable home. It would be here that Loretta would spend the last years of her life.

While Loretta’s life was filled with many high points as well as its share of lows, she found enjoyment in many crafts which she continued until her passing. One hobby that she took great pride and enjoyment in was her crocheting. She had even packed her crochet supplies with her when she went into the hospital hoping to do more work on the dress she was making for one more of many Barbie dolls. Other hobbies she enjoyed were knitting, cross stitch and sewing.

Loretta was also involved with many organizations throughout her life to include the Women in Mining, the Boulder County Republicans and the Mountain View Fire Protection District Advisory Council. In 1995 Loretta was honored with the Marguerite Sherman Award from the Boulder County Republicans for long and dedicated service. In 1996, Mountain View Fire Protection District presented her with an award for her dedicated service as a member of the council.

Loretta also enjoyed entertaining family, especially during the holidays. Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners were always great undertakings and one could always count on Mutton for Easter and Corned Beef and Cabbage for Saint Patrick’s Day. She loved having family around and always enjoyed visits from those both near and far. She also found great enjoyment in visits of her grand-children; Ashley Jones (12), Austin Jones (9) who’s parents are Bret and Carla Jones and Tariq Rogers (7), son of Wendy and Curtis Rogers.

She lived a full life in the short time that she shared with us, and she is and will always be greatly missed during our time in this life. Many loved her as she loved so many and our memories will always be held very close and very dear to us, as all blessings should be.

“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” - John 17:1-3