Helen L. Suckla

HELEN L. SUCKLA Helen was born in Cortez, Colo. on April 7, 1923 to Clair and Mary Bradfield. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. She was 87 years young. Helen met and later married James "Jim" Suckla in Aztec, N.M. on July 29, 1941. Jim and Helen founded the Cortez Livestock Auction, which continues to serve this area with weekly livestock sales. Surviving Helen are her children and their spouses, Jimmy Gene and Darline Suckla of Cortez, Larry and Donna Suckla of Cortez, Steve and Pam Suckla of Cortez and Disappointment Valley, and Toni and Dan Dorlarque of Cortez. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Helen spent her youth at Lewis, Colo. riding to school and helping her father with the livestock, tending their herd that ran from the Bradfield Bridge up the river canyon to Slickrock and on the Glade Mountain in the summer. Helen loved her ranching life and you could always find her on a horse as a young girl and then working alongside of her husband Jim and their children on the ranches they purchased in Disappointment and Gypsum Valleys and the San Juan National Forest. As if her life wasn't busy enough with four children, the livestock auction and the ranches, Helen served as Rodeo Cowboy's Association rodeo secretary/timer for many years. She also served as a secretary/timer for the American Legion Junior Rodeos. Helen was a member of Southwestern Colorado Cowbelle's and was President in 1969-1970. She was a member of the Colorado State and National Cattlewomen's Association and the Southwestern Colorado Cattlemen's Association. Jim and Helen were also members of the Colorado State and National Cattlemen's Associations, R-Calf, and Colorado Farm Bureau. Not only will Helen be missed by her family and friends but our community will miss her history of our area and its people. She always could tell us who was from what family, where they lived, what they did and how one family was connected to another or what business was here and when. To honor Helen's memory, the family suggests helping a neighbor or someone in need, or making a contribution in Helen's name with the Lewis-Arriola Fire Department, P.O. Box 10, Lewis, Colo. 81327. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held at a later date.