Audrey Ruth Bixler Tycksen

AUDREY RUTH (BIXLER) TYCKSEN Audrey Ruth (Bixler) Tycksen was born January 3, 1927 in Ignacio, Colo. She passed away December 20, 2013 in Cortez, Colo. Audrey was raised on a family farm in Arboles, Colo. She came from a large family of 9 children and her parents. She always said that their family was lucky during the depression as they could trade farm goods and livestock for the staples they needed from the country store. Audrey and a younger sister rode the train to Aztec, N.M. each fall and boarded with a family there to attend high school. After graduating high school, she moved to Durango and worked at Parson's Drug Store. She met Walter Tycksen at a Grange Hall dance in Breen shortly after he had returned from serving in World War II, and they were married on January 5, 1949. They moved to Summit Ridge around 1952 and have made their home in this area since. Audrey and Walter were among the first to raise Registered Angus Cattle in SW Colorado, winning many awards at various state fairs. In 1973 they moved northeast of Cahone where they continued to raise Angus on their dry land farm. Audrey was very involved with their farm and ranch, working alongside Walter daily. She took a special interest in the genetics of their Angus herd. She named every cow, and they would come to her when she called them. Their cattle herd was sold during the drought of 2002. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Walter Tycksen, in 2011. Audrey is survived by their three daughters, Sandra Staley (husband, Charles deceased) of Alvin, Tex., Janet Corey and husband, Dave of Craig, Colo., and Sue McWilliams and husband, Slim of Lewis, Colo. Grandchildren include Sheryl Ronquille, James Staley and wife, Michelle, John Staley and wife, Amber, David J. Corey and wife, Janell, Roger Corey and wife, Alegra, Grant Corey and wife, Alisa, Jessie Jameson, and Erin Gray. Audrey is also survived by 11 great grandchildren, with another one on the way; and a sister, Devona Hostetter and husband, Bob. Audrey was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a life time member of the Southwest Cowbelles, and belonged to the Summit Ridge Women's Club and the Cortez Garden Club. Audrey loved spending time in her garden, and growing beautiful flowers and her roses. She grew a large vegetable garden, enjoyed working in their orchard and loved canning the food they grew. She was a wonderful cook, and we were always well fed. When it came to fishing, she always caught the biggest and most and enjoyed it as much as Walter. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 27, at 10 a.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery, with a lunch following for family and friends.