Martha E. West

MARTHA E. “AUNT KEEK” WEST “Widow of a pioneer resident dies.” Wife of Elmer E. West of McElmo, Martha E. “Aunt Keek” West passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at her home in Cortez at the age of 99. Martha was born on October 4, 1905 in Decatur, Ill. the daughter of Robert and Marie (Adams) Hill. Graveside services for Martha will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14 at the Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, Calif. The Order of the Eastern Star will be officiating. In 1925 in Long Beach, Calif. Martha married Elmer E. West. They made their home in Southern California and spent their summers in McElmo, Colorado. Martha was a Gold Miner who owned her own gold mining claims. She enjoyed knitting, reading, cooking and fishing. She was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She maintained memberships in the Meridian Chapter #310 in Long Beach, and was a former Matron of the LaPlata Chapter #83. Martha moved permanently to Cortez one year ago to live with her great nephew, George West and wife, Halene. Aunt Keek is survived by her nephews and nieces, Jesse West, Sam Pinkerton, Cleo Gore all of Cortez, Ann Mae Johnson of Greeley, Colo., and Virginia Smith of Farmington, N.M.; and her great nephew, George West and wife, Halene of Cortez. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Elmer West; and her brother.