Local Obituaries for Families in Santa Fe, Espanola, Taos, and Los Alamos, New Mexico
Elke Ellen Winkler
Dec 25, 2025
Elke Ellen Winkler passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, at the age of 82. She will be remembered for her warm, resilient, and curious spirit and her love of animals and the outdoors.
She is survived by her husband of over 52 years, Karl-Heinz, with whom she shared a beautiful and full life. Together, they raised three children, Philipp,...
Arturo Montoya
Dec 24, 2025
Arturo Montoya, of El Prado, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2025. He touched many lives with his kindness and generosity. He is preceded in death by his parents JJ and Juanita Montoya, his wife Eufracia, son Dennis, infant daughter Loraine, sister Alice Loraine, and brother Ernesto.
Arturo will be fondly remembered by his daughter Michelle, son-in-law Kevin, grandson Nicholas, sisters Cora...
Lupe Barela
Dec 22, 2025
Lupe Barela, 78, a lifelong resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her home on December 22, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Lupe was born in Santa Fe on October 6, 1947. On December 15, 1962, she married Eduardo Barela, with whom she shared a lifetime of devotion, family, and cherished memories.
She was preceded in...
Sheila Louise Reinig
2025
Sheila Louise Reinig, 68, entered eternal life on December 22, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends’ love. Sheila grew up with an adventurous free spirit, a quick wit, beauty beyond compare, and a heart that loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother.
A devoted sister, daughter, and friend, Sheila had a gift...
Chetney Andrew Fornell
Dec 22, 2025
Chetney Andrew Fornell went home to the Lord Monday, December 22, 2025. He was the beloved son of the late Gerald Fornell and Karen Fornell. Chetney was born May 2, 1976 in Evanston Illinois. He grew up in Lake Bluff, Illinois and attended Lake Forest High School and Columbia College in Chicago. He is survived by his mother Karen and...
Olivar "Oliver" Maximiliano Rivera
Dec 21, 2025
Oliver Rivera (1936-2025)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olivar (Oliver) Maximiliano Rivera, 89 years old, from Nambe, NM and most recently Pojoaque, NM.
He was born in Nambe, NM on June 16/17, 1936 and is preceded in death by his parents, Sostenes and Bernie Rivera and his beloved brother Johnny Rivera. He was a loving husband,...
Arturo (Arthur) Romero
Dec 20, 2025
Arturo (Arthur) Romero passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025 at his home in Santa Fe surrounded by his family. Born April 28, 1933 in El Rancho, New Mexico, Arturo a long-time resident of Santa Fe graduated from Pojoaque High school. Upon graduation he was drafted into the Army and sent to Korea, where he served in a Signal Company....
Mary Sandoval
Dec 20, 2025
Mary Sandoval went to be with the Lord in heaven on December 20, 2025 after blessing this earth for 92 years. Mary was a lifelong resident of Cerrillos, New Mexico where she was born on June 19, 1933. She was a devout catholic and dedicated parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cerrillos where she attended mass daily. Mary was...
Leonard Van De Valde
Dec 19, 2025
Leonard E. Van De Valde was born in Albuquerque, NM on October 22, 1927, to Stella and Richard Van De Valde. He passed away peacefully in Albuquerque, NM on December 19, 2025, at the age of 98.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda Jean Van De Valde; his daughter, Vicky Van De Valde; and his sons: Jimmy...
Alexis (Lexus) Rivera
Dec 19, 2025
Alexis (Lexus) Rivera, age 33, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, December 19th. Though her life was far too short, the love she gave and the kindness she shared will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew her.
Alexis had a deep love for animals and a generous heart. She enjoyed creating art and...
John William Blaylock
Dec 19, 2025
John William Blaylock, 78, went to be with his Savior on December 19, 2025, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
John was born on April 10, 1947, in Miami, Florida, to Esther and John Blaylock. From an early age, he possessed a deep curiosity about the world that shaped the course of his life. His life was rich with adventure...
Clorinda M. Elmore
Dec 19, 2025
Maria Clorinda Elmore, a beacon of love and warmth in all who knew her, passed away on December 19, 2025, in the comfort of her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, surrounded by her cherished loved ones. Born on February 25, 1938, in Rinconada, New Mexico, Maria lived a life rich with memories, compassion, and generosity.
Maria's heart was always dedicated...
Natashia Serenity Marie Ortega
Dec 18, 2025
Natashia Serenity Marie Ortega, beloved stepmother, sister, niece, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025. Natashia was born on September 18, 1981, in the picturesque Santa Fe, NM, where she lived: adventurously, peacefully and stylishly, just like her signature smile.
Natashia is survived by her adoring mother, Yvonne Ortega, and stepfather Eloy Montoya. Her daughter, Amanda Esquibel (Mother...
Marsha Skinner
Dec 18, 2025
Remembrance By David L. Witt
“Marsha Skinner is not famous and the I Ching was really happy about that.”
Quote by Marsha Skinner, December 13, 2025
For those of us who knew Marsha this quote will seem very much in character. Arriving in Taos from Boston, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving night 1976, she returned to what she considered to be her home region. She...
Malcolm Johnson Schnitker
Dec 17, 2025
Malcolm Johnson Schnitker, 89, was born on October 7, 1936 in Jacksonville, Illinois to Norman Robert and Mae Eloise (nee Johnson) Schnitker. He attended Prescott High School in Prescott, Arizona. In 1960, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and Range Management from the University of Arizona, College of Agriculture. Upon graduation, he began his career with...
Malcolm Johnson Schnitker
Dec 17, 2025
Malcolm Johnson Schnitker, 89, was born on October 7, 1936 in Jacksonville, Illinois to Norman Robert and Mae Eloise (nee Johnson) Schnitker. He attended Prescott High School in Prescott, Arizona. In 1960, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and Range Management from the University of Arizona, College of Agriculture. Upon graduation, he began his career with...
Damian Vazquez
Dec 17, 2025
Damian Andres Vazquez, age 24, passed away on December 17, 2025, in Bernallilo, New Mexico, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born in Santa Fe on August 5, 2001, Damian grew into an outgoing and adventurous young man who lived life with passion.
Damian was known for his sweet soul and his willingness to help anyone who crossed his path....
Charles Stiles
Dec 16, 2025
Ross “Charles” Stiles was born December 9, 1938 in Plainview, Texas, and died December 16, 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico from Parkinson's Disease with accompanying dementia.
Although born in Texas, Charles spent most of his childhood in a small town on the edge of the Santa Rita Del Cobre (copper) mine near Silver City, New Mexico. It was an atypical...
Jose Leo Terrazas-Soto
Dec 16, 2025
Jose Leo Terrazas-Soto, 54, entered eternal rest with his children by his side on December 16th Jose was born in Santa Ana, Durango, Mexico September 28, 1971. He lived a life built on strong values & a profound love for his family. Those who had the pleasure of knowing him will remember his sharp wit, his endless stories, & his...
Sol Rivera
Dec 16, 2025
Solomon Anthony Rivera of Espanola, New Mexico, passed away at the age of 65 on December 16, 2025.
Sol was born on April 19, 1960, to the late Vicenta and Ben Rivera in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is survived by his son, Ben (Hailey); grandchildren, Thomas and Mikayla; brother, Eric (Julie); step-nieces, Moorea and Ava; aunts, Lorraine (W.T.) Baker, Bernie...
