Florence Mildred DeSautell, 98

Florence M. DeSautell passed away surrounded by family on October 1, 2017.  Florence was born December 24, 1918 to Charles and Elizabeth Schwarzbeck at home in the Sargent Community.

A native of Monte Vista, Florence was a proud graduate of Sargent High School in 1937 and in July, 2017 was recognized as the oldest graduate at the 100th Anniversary of Sargent Schools.  She married L.F. “Bud” DeSautell on April 9, 1950 in Amarillo, Texas.  Florence and Bud settled in Monte Vista, Colorado, where she continued to work for the local telephone office as an operator and later as business office manager for Mountain Bell while Bud owned and operated Bud’s Radio and TV. She and Bud had two children, Ron and Shari.

Her career as a telephone operator and business office manager for AT&T/Mountain Bell spanned 41 years from 1939 until her retirement from the telephone company in 1980.  Her hobbies included crafts, ceramics, watching any baseball she could find on TV as well as attending Colorado Rockies games when she was able, and watching her beloved Denver Broncos.  Because of her beautiful handwriting she was continually asked to write invitations, programs, and other assorted written items.  She was a 50+ year member of Eastern Star Bethlehem Chapter #56, member of PEO Sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, and the Monte Vista United Methodist Church where she also taught Sunday School for 25 years.  She was a member of the Board and Chair of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls for many years, and volunteered at the 9 Health Fair for 15 years. 

Florence was preceded in death by husband, Bud DeSautell, parents Charles and Elizabeth Schwarzbeck, brothers Arthur, Harold and Ernest Schwarzbeck, and sister Evelyn Trimble.

She is survived by children Ron (Jan) DeSautell of Alamosa, Colorado, Shari (C.E. Glunz) DeSautell of Monte Vista, Colorado, grandchildren Kelly DeSautell of Monte Vista, Colorado and Angela DeSautell of Centennial, Colorado, and sister-in-laws Lucille Schwarzbeck of Pueblo, Colorado, and Texas Pasetti of Troy, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation was chosen and a celebration of Florence’s life will be held on Friday October 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Monte Vista United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations stay local and be made to the Eastern Star Bethlehem Chapter #56 (Monte Vista) through Rogers Family Mortuary.

If you would like to send online condolences or tributes please visit Florence’s obituary at www.rogersfunerals.com