Laura Maye Stroud

LAURA MAYE "SNOOKS" STROUD Laura Maye "Snooks" Stroud, 77, passed away peacefully April 16, 2010 at Vista Grande Inn in Cortez, Colorado. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 22 at the Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 Highway 145 with burial following in Cortez Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held at the Elks Lodge at the conclusion of the services. Laura was born July 7, 1932, in Cortez, Colo., to James Addison and Elizabeth Anne Wheeler. She graduated from Montezuma County High School in 1950. Laura was married to her loving husband, William E. "Bill" Stroud on August 21, 1950. She worked at the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorders office until 1955 when she and Bill moved to Porterville, Calif. where she worked at a bank. In 1958 she and Bill returned to Cortez and opened The Cork & Bottle liquor store, where she worked part time until the birth of her son, Stuart A. Stroud in 1960. In 1970 Bill became the Golf Pro at the Cortez Municipal Golf course, where Laura worked in the pro shop until she was diagnose with breast cancer in 1982. Laura enjoyed skiing at Stoner Ski Area with all of her friends and their families, golfing, bingo at the Elks and later at the Ute Mountain Casino. Laura is survived by her husband, William E. Stroud of Cortez, her son Stuart Stroud and wife, Sherrie and of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandsons, Sawyer and Michael Stroud of Las Vegas and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Laura in death were her parents, James and Elizabeth Wheeler; her infant daughter, Julie Ann; her sisters, Helen Blackmer, Sue McNeil, and Elizabeth Williamson; and her brother James Wheeler. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Laura's memory to Susan G. Komen for the CURE.