Durango Herald
April 25, 2009
Longtime Durango resident Grace Verlie Kaster Shober died at Four Corners Health Care Center on Monday, April 20, 2009. She was 90.
Mrs. Shober was born to Howard and Stella Kaster on March 25, 1919, in Brighton. She grew up in Brighton during the Depression.
In school, she enjoyed drama, writing and attending school sporting events to show her support.
Her family said Mrs. Shober was a wonderful piano player who performed at a number of events and she was active in the church youth group.
In 1937, she graduated from Brighton High School and went on to attend college in Denver.
She worked for the U.S. Postal Service and the Internal Revenue Service.
Mrs. Shober worked for years for J. Stanley Weidman, the owner of the Weidman lumber mill, which was located on Sawmill Road.
She also was the co-owner of Great Scot Lumber Co.
In 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Joe F. Shober, in Brighton.
When he was transferred with the IRS to Durango, they rented a small apartment until they purchased land on Junction Street.
"The home they designed was the 'Entertainment Capital' of Durango," her family wrote. "Joe and Grace loved to entertain their many friends."
The Shobers were fans of the Spanish Trails Fiesta and would hold a party every year that was a high point of summer, according to Herald Editor-at-Large Morley Ballantine.
Ballantine wrote that everyone wore Fiesta costumes, and the Shobers had some of the best.
Mrs. Shober bought one of the first Mustang convertibles in bright red.
The Shobers traveled extensively, from China to Scotland to Hawaii and any place between.
They owned a cabin at Electra Lake so they could go fishing whenever the urge arose.
They enjoyed spending their time at their home in Sun City, Ariz.
"Grace had a contagious smile and personality," her family wrote. "She never met a stranger."
Mrs. Shober was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Joe Shober.
She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today, April 25, 2009, at St. Columba Catholic Church.
The Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld will officiate. A graveside service will take place after.e to edit.
Mrs. Shober was born to Howard and Stella Kaster on March 25, 1919, in Brighton. She grew up in Brighton during the Depression.
In school, she enjoyed drama, writing and attending school sporting events to show her support.
Her family said Mrs. Shober was a wonderful piano player who performed at a number of events and she was active in the church youth group.
In 1937, she graduated from Brighton High School and went on to attend college in Denver.
She worked for the U.S. Postal Service and the Internal Revenue Service.
Mrs. Shober worked for years for J. Stanley Weidman, the owner of the Weidman lumber mill, which was located on Sawmill Road.
She also was the co-owner of Great Scot Lumber Co.
In 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Joe F. Shober, in Brighton.
When he was transferred with the IRS to Durango, they rented a small apartment until they purchased land on Junction Street.
"The home they designed was the 'Entertainment Capital' of Durango," her family wrote. "Joe and Grace loved to entertain their many friends."
The Shobers were fans of the Spanish Trails Fiesta and would hold a party every year that was a high point of summer, according to Herald Editor-at-Large Morley Ballantine.
Ballantine wrote that everyone wore Fiesta costumes, and the Shobers had some of the best.
Mrs. Shober bought one of the first Mustang convertibles in bright red.
The Shobers traveled extensively, from China to Scotland to Hawaii and any place between.
They owned a cabin at Electra Lake so they could go fishing whenever the urge arose.
They enjoyed spending their time at their home in Sun City, Ariz.
"Grace had a contagious smile and personality," her family wrote. "She never met a stranger."
Mrs. Shober was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Joe Shober.
She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today, April 25, 2009, at St. Columba Catholic Church.
The Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld will officiate. A graveside service will take place after.e to edit.
