Oleta Buzzell Obituary

Oleta Thelma Buzzell, 75, passed away at her home in Grand Junction, surrounded by family, Aug. 30, 2011, after a valiant 11-year struggle with Parkinson's disease. Mrs. Buzzell was born March 9, 1936, in Cohutta, Georgia. She grew up on a farm, hand-picking cotton with her nine brothers and sisters. In 1956 she fell in love with and married Maine-native Harvey Buzzell, who was stationed with the Air Force at Lookout Mountain Radar Site near Chattanooga, Tenn. Mrs. Buzzell moved with her husband in 1961 to Colorado Springs, where she raised two children and worked as an elementary school librarian for more than 20 years. One of her proudest moments was when she climbed to the summit of Pikes Peak. After retiring from the school district, Mrs. Buzzell, with her husband, owned and operated a corn and wheat farm in western Nebraska for eight years. Mrs. Buzzell was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who devoted herself to her children and grandchildren. Her family and friends said she dealt with Parkinson's disease with grace, courage and dignity. Mrs. Buzzell is survived by her husband Harvey, daughter Susan Graham and son-in-law Scott Graham of Durango, son Steven Buzzell and daughter-in-law Sherry Buzzell of Colorado Springs, grandchildren Taylor and Logan Graham of Durango and Morgan, Brooke and Kloe Buzzell of Colorado Springs, and seven brothers and sisters. A celebration of Mrs. Buzzell's life will be held in Grand Junction later this fall.