Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Roy and Fannie (Zook) Pangborn, Burlington



FANNIE'S FAMILY

In Thurman precinct - then Arapahoe County - in 1900, Jonathan S. Zook is 52, Barbara Zook 44, Amy L. Zook 23, John J. Zook 19, Susanna Zook 17, Mattie A. Zook 15, Joseph Zook 13, Leah Zook 10, Levina Zook 7, Fanny Zook 5, and Barbara Zook 10 months.


"Jonathan S. Zook was born in Mifflin Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1847; died at his home near Thurman, Colo., Sept. 12, 1934; aged 87 y.
In Feb., 1876, he was united in marriage to Barbara Reber. To this union were born 9 children, 7 daughters and 2 sons. His wife, 1 son and 4 daughters have preceded him in death. At the age of 19 years he joined the Mennonite Church. He was for many years out of fellowship but two years ago he again made his peace with God and the Church and died rejoicing in his salvation. He leaves to mourn his departure 3 daughters and 1 son (Emma Wright, Thurman, Colo.; Susie Mills, Maybelle, Colo.; Fanny Pangborn, Burlington, Colo.; and Joseph Zook, Shaw, Colo.), 15 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted by N. M. Birky. Text, Rom. 6:23. Interment at the Mennonite Cemetery near Thurman, Colo."

ROY'S FAMILY

Herschell and Jane Pangborn were married the eleventh day of September, 1867, in Maquoketa, Iowa. To this union were born blacksmith. He was born March 29, 1842, and died in Flagler in 1919. His wife, Jane, was born the second of March, 1849, and died in Flagler in 1925.

Roy was born in Nebraska, October 16, 1886, and when he was a young boy, the family moved to Colorado and settled first in Thurman, Washington County, Colorado, and later in Flagler, Colorado.
Roy and Faye originally resided in Thurman and then later moved to Flagler, Colorado, and stayed with Roy's mother to help out after the death of his father. In 1924, they moved to Burlington, Colorado. He had two brothers and two sisters. In 1906, he went to work for the Rock Island Railroad as fireman. He continued in this work for two or three years until the wreck of the Rock Island Flyer near Omaha. He did not return to this job after the wreck. Roy was a skilled mechanic and in October of 1918, shortly after his marriage, he enlisted in the Coast Guard Artillery as a mechanic and served until his discharge on January 21, 1919. Roy worked as a mechanic in Flagler and again later in Burlington for the Anderson Motor Company and the Victory Garage. He played the violin and enjoyed music. He died of a heart attack in 1953.
Faye Pangborn Ferguson was born Fanny Zook - Roy and Fanny (Faye) Pangborn were united in marriage at Hugo, Colorado, June 27, 1917. They grew up together and attended the same country school. To this union was born one son, William E., on July 23, 1919, in the sod house of Faye's parents, Jonathan and Barbara Zook, at Thurman, Colorado. They lived on a farm, planted wheat, corn, she had a large family garden, and tended a herd of milk cows, as large as 21 head at one time. Each of the family members had their own jobs. Faye and her sisters were responsible for milking the school. Faye always enjoyed learning and her favorite subject was math. She used it too! In her mid eighties, she could still tell you down to the penny the balance in her checkbook. She was a good manager. She was very frugal and never wasted anything. She was a good neighbor and friend and always shared what she had with others. Her garden was a good sample of this. Her green thumb and hard work always produced a bounty of fruits and attest to her ability and are cherished heirlooms of the family. She also enjoyed crocheting and took up china painting in her later years. Music has always been a part of Faye's life. Her second husband, Maurice E. (Mack) applique work and colorful, artistic quilts enjoyrng an evening of music in the 1950's. PANGBORN, WILLIAM E. AND ELEANOR M. PENNOCK Colorado. The second youngest of nine children born to Jonathan S. and Barbara (Reber) Zook, Faye was raised in a sod house with her two brothers and six sisters. The family was Amish Mennonite and of Swiss, vegetables, which she canned. There was always plenty for her friends and neighbors. Her family looked forward to the harvest of sweet corn and homemade jellies and jams. She was an excellent cook, and for a few years worked at Beatty's Cafe in Burlington. Faye was well rounded in her abilities. Her home was adorned with beautiful flowers. She was an excellent seamstress and applied this skill though her efforts while working in the Sewing Room during World War II. Her Mack and Faye Ferguson and BilI Pangborn by Mrs. William E. Pangborn homestead in Thurman, Washington County, cows and separating out the cream. The crenm was then sold. The children attended a one room country Roy and Faye Pangborn with their son Bill on an and raised chickens and hogs. Mack passed away at the age of 88 in August, 1980. Faye continued residence at her home for another couple years. At 92 years old, she now resides in Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington. Zook on April 14, 1895, on the family barley, and oats, raised chickens, had '.\ over forty years. For many years, they farmed Ferguson was a musician, and together with her son, Bill, the three of them spent many an evening singing and playing their various instruments. Faye was proficient at the mouth harp, ukelele, and guitar. Mack and Faye purchased an acreage north of Burlington during the war and built their home with the help of Bill when he returned from the service in 1945. Their "place" was their pride and joy, and they lived there for many years.



In 1900 Washington County, Herschell Pangborn is farming, born March 1842 in Iowa, married 31 years to Jane E. March 1849 New York. Maud M. April 1872 in Iowa and Roy J. October 1886 Nebraska.
They're next to the Jonathan Zook family.

In 1910 Washington County, Colorado, Herschell N. Pangborn is 68, born in Iowa, with Jane E. 61 born in New York.

September 1914 - Thurman items in the Akron, Colorado paper "H. N. Pangborn left on August 24 to enter a Denver hospital to have his eyes treated."

ROY AND MARY

Roy J. Pangborn 22, married Mary Dolifka, 24, on June 2, 1909 in Hugo, Colorado.

Mary had been in Washington County, Kansas in 1900, born February 1883, with widow Josephine Dolifky April 1843, Joseph March 1876, and Julius Feb 1880, all born in Hungary.

Josephine 1843-1917 is buried in Marshall County, Kansas # 44329053, Joseph 1838-1890 in Osage County # 51837672.

Joseph Dolifka 1876-1905 is buried in Colorado Springs # 22492829.
" He died at Adams Crossing, and had been sick for 5 years. He was a photographer.

In 1910 Thurman, Mary is 27, born in Austria, Roy J. 23.

December 1913 Akron, Colorado "Mrs. Roy Pangborn is going to occupy a part of Mrs. Graves' house in the east part of town."

December 1914 Akron "Mrs. Pangborn is thinking of buying Walter Moore's property in Platner on north Main street, and if she does, she will put in a large stock of general articles."

They divorced in Washington County on February 23, 1916.

Mary is widowed in Pomona, California in 1930, 47, with Ruth M. 18 and Cecilia M. 16.

Mary is widowed in 1940 Los Angeles County,k 57, living alone, born in Moravia.

Mary O. Pangborn 1883-1971 is buried in Riverside County, California # 24753167.

Leroy and Mary had Ruth M., who married Edgar F. Kesel on July 5, 1930 in Iron County, Utah.
Ruth, born April 26, 1911, died in Los Angeles County on Octoer 30, 1970.

In 1940 Los Angeles County, Cecelia Whittington is 26, born in Kansas??, married to Woodwrow Whittington 28 born in Texas.

Cecilia M. Pangborn, 36, married Clyde Banta, 40 on May 16, 1950 in San Bernardino County.

Cecilia M. Lamp, born April 23, 1913 in Hillrose Colorado, died Febraury 20, 1997 in Los ANgeles.

ROY AND FANNIE

Roy J. Pangborn and Fanny Zook married in Hugo, Colorado on June 27, 1917.

"On June 30, 1918 the Flagler Baptist Church was organized, with the Rev. W.F. Henry as pastor and fourteen members. This is still being continued. Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Reade, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. H. Pangborn, Mrs. Amelia Miller, Mrs. Alma Williams, Mrs. Amelia Alexander, Mrs. Ella Stone, Mrs. Eunice Hughes and Mrs. Ethel "

In 1920 Flagler, Fannie is 24, married to Roy J. Pangborn, 33 born in Nebraska , a garage mechanic. William E. is 5 months old, and Roy's mother Jane 70 born in New York is with them.
Fannie and Roy divorced in Kit Carson County on March 31, 1934.
Faye Ferguson 1895-1989 is buried in Burlington # 89173254, with Maurice E. 1892-1980>

Roy Jason Pangborn 1886-1953 is buried in Burlington # 89617359.

"Bill Pangborn of Littleton – former longtime resident of Burlington – passed away at the age of 92, at Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011.
He was born William Earl Pangborn on the 23rd of July, 1919, in a sod house at the homestead of his maternal grandparents at Thurman north of Flagler.
At the age of 5, he moved to Burlington with his parents, Roy Jason and Fanny Zook Pangborn, where his father was employed as a mechanic and his mother was a homemaker. He attended school in Burlington until his graduation in 1937.
Bill learned the value of hard work early in his life. He lost his father through divorce when he was 11 and exhibiting the exemplary character of the man he would become, he willingly stepped forward and helped his mother make ends meet by shoveling coal in the furnace of their apartment building, taking odd jobs, and often baking biscuits to help with the evening meal.
Without bitterness, he accepted what he could not change and moved on. While a teenager, he secured a job with his drug-store mentors, Ed Weinandt and Joe Brown, the founding partners of W-B Drug, who taught him pharmacy and retailing.
Their common-sense approach to business made sense to Bill, and he took away valuable lessons that served him well, when he opened his own business years later.
Following high school, Bill was awarded a job as a page boy at the Capital Building in Denver. It was an eye opener for a naive, small town boy, and, although he recounted his experiences fondly, he knew his career choice was not politics.
Desiring to be a doctor but lacking the funds for medical school, he and a friend opened a duckpin alley in Holly. Successful though it was, it proved to be a short-lived venture.
Within 30 days of the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), the partners sold their business, and Bill was on a train bound for basic training at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He served as an airman in the Signal Corp of the Artillery, a charter member of " Company A, 440th Signal Battalion," and served in the Pacific Theater from July, 1942 until his return home in 1945.
His occupational specialty was "Lineman Telephone and Telegraph 238," and his job was setting up communications. Sgt. Pangborn's battles and campaigns included: Papua, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, Luzon, and Ryukyus (Okinawa). He received the following decorations and citations: The Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star. Bill's WWII military recollections are documented in the book, The 440th Signal Battalion, An Oral History, by James L. Hendricks, himself a member of the 440th during the Korean War.
Upon return to civilian life, Bill was eager to pursue his career. It was while he was attending Capital College of Pharmacy in Denver, that he met and married his life partner and wife of 65 years, Eleanor Pennock, known as Penny, daughter of Arthur and Iola Pennock of Fort Collins.
The happy newlyweds set up housekeeping in Burlington and were blessed with two children, Marcia M. (Marcie) in 1949 and Thomas William (Tom) in 1951.
The couple were a team in every way, first working together at W-B Drug, having secured an interest in the store for a time. Bill was a pharmacist at Stan-dish Drug, and Penny a checker at Save-U Market before opening their own business in 1966.
" Pangborn's Pharmacy" was a success from day one, thanks in large part to the loyalty and hard work of their employees (You know who you are, and we thank you.) and the support of the residents of Burlington and the surrounding area.
The pharmacy was in every way a family business. Bill filled prescriptions, and Penny helped in the front and kept the books.
Their daughter, Marcie, made deliveries after school and clerked in the store over the summer months.
Son, Tom, joined the business full time in 1975, following college, adding his expertise in electronics with the addition of a Radio Shack franchise. Their name grew with their business to " Pangborn's Pharmacy, Photo & Sound Center," also reflecting Bill's interest and expertise in cameras and photography.
Bill believed in the healthful benefits of vitamin supplements and promoted them. His customers took his advice, giving Pangborn's Pharmacy the distinction of being the second largest distributor of Nature-Made Vitamins west of the Mississippi. In this, he was ahead of his time.
Bill was a sports enthusiast. Watching, attending, or participating, it didn't matter; Bill loved them all. He and Penny bowled, golfed, and square danced. He was a loyal Burlington Booster, supplying cameras and film, as needed, in support of the school's athletic program.
He was a member of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and an active participant and supporter in promotions benefiting the town, the school, and its organizations.
He was known far and wide as a diehard Denver Bronco fan. His season tickets priority number was in the 7,000's, a testament to his long-standing sup-port.
For 20 years, every Sunday home game – rain, snow, sleet, or shine – found Bill in the stands at Mile High Stadium, cheering the Broncos with family and friends, stopped only by road closures and blizzards. Loyal to the last, Bill attended his final game at ‘Invesco Field at Mile High' at the age of 90.
Bill, Penny, and Tom sold their business in 1987. Bill continued to work as a relief pharmacist following his retirement for several years. In 1990, they moved to Littleton to be near their children, buying the house across the street from Marcie and her husband, John.
Bill retired the way he worked – setting goals and meeting them. He mowed the lawn until he was 87, spending as much time as he could outdoors. He never quit learning, actively embracing the computer and the Internet. He received an iPad for his 92nd birthday.
He possessed a keen mind and a kind heart, the perfect combination for a businessman devoted to serving others. In the middle of the day or the middle of the night – it didn't matter – when he was needed, he was cheerfully available. Holidays and holiday dinners were no exception. Fortunately, he had an understanding and supportive wife.
Practicing what he preached, Bill enjoyed good health throughout his long life, with the exception of the last four years.
With every medical set-back, he took his medicine and did whatever it took to recover, with determination and good will. As in any campaign, there is a battle that cannot be won.
Bill's final battle began on Sept. 24 of this year, with a stroke. He left this world 8 days later in the company of his family. The Denver/Green Bay game was on TV, a fitting send off for a man who loved the game.
On the family headstone in Fairview Cemetery at Burlington, his inscription – in his own words and written over 30 years ago – reads: " Here lies old Bill. He's dispensed his last pill."
Bill is survived by his wife Penny, son Tom Pangborn, daughter Marcie Smith, son-in-law-John A. Smith, and grand-dog, Mo, all of Littleton, in addition to close extended family and " family" friends.
He was genuinely liked by those who knew him. A good listener and a solid, supportive son, husband, father, and friend, he was slow to anger and quick to laugh.
He never judged and had a strong shoulder when it was needed. His family never once heard a bad word spoken against him, nor did they hear him speak ill of anyone during his long lifetime.
Possessing a fine sense of humor, Bill loved a good joke and shared them at every opportunity. With the advent of e-mail, he was unstoppable.
What may not be known about him is that he loved music and was a fine musician. In his younger years, he played guitar and ukulele with his mother, Faye Ferguson, and stepfather, Mac Ferguson, also musicians, and later during WWII for himself and five tent mates.
The last survivor of the six, Berni " Hooter" Wyman of San Francisco, relates how " Willie," as they called him, played the ukulele while they sang the old songs together.
Sadly, as the years flew by, Bill's family and business responsibilities in-creased, and his music took a back seat, relegating his ukulele to a decoration on the wall, a testament to an-other life and time.
Bill was, on occasion, superstitious-often placing his " lucky" blue sweater on top of the TV during Bronco away games, because he swore it helped them win. He made no apology for it.
He was comfortable in his own skin – fun loving, honest, decent, and a straight talker who knew what was important and acted on it. You always knew what he was thinking; there was no subterfuge. He gave more than was asked, and took pleasure in the giving.
He was not a man of great letters or an avid reader, but he enjoyed the sports section of the news-paper and his pharmaceutical magazines.
He typed with two fingers-the " chicken method" he called it, hunt and peck. It served him well. His office/TV room was always cluttered, not because he was disorganized (He loved his label maker.), but because he liked to be surrounded by what was important to him.
When asked, what he would have done differently in his life, he responded, without hesitation, " I would take my vacations and spend more time with my family." He may not have measured up in that area in his own estimation, but to his wife and children, he was the best, and they were blessed to have him in their life for so long.
In celebration of his life, a memorial open house will be held at the Littleton home of John and Marcie Smith, 10102 W. Ida Avenue, #227, Littleton, CO 80127, on Saturday, October 29, 2011, between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. All are welcome."


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