Zelda Locke *
Zelda Ann (Smith) Locke was born May 10th, 1932, on the family farm sixteen miles Southwest of Springfield, CO. Zelda was the third child of four born to Frank and Mary Smith. Zelda passed away Thursday November 21, 2024, at Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield, CO.
Zelda was raised on the family farm and attended school in Pritchett, CO. Here she met Ernie Locke. Ernie and Zelda were married January 15th, 1949. Ernie and Zelda had two children, Lucky Clyde Locke born on August 15th, 1949, and Leitha Gail Locke born on March 26th, 1951.
After their marriage, Ernie and Zelda lived in Pritchett, CO for a short time and traveled Colorado as Ernie worked for a construction company building grain elevators. After the employment with the construction company ended, Ernie, Zelda and Lucky moved to Garden City, Kansas in 1950. Ernie went to work as a milk delivery man and Zelda took on jobs of mending and pressing clothes. She often said it took lots of starch for the Dairy Queen outfits since they had to be stiff and pleated a certain way. After a short time, the family moved to Wichita, Kansas so Ernie could attend electrical college and work at Boeing. Zelda took care of the home and both children as Leitha was born now. Upon graduating the school, the family then returned home to Baca County, Colorado. They moved to Springfield and started their own businesses. Modern electronics repairing t.v.’s and radios and selling furniture.
In 1969 after both kids had graduated Ernie and Zelda moved to Denver, Colorado. Ernie went to work for Aamco Electric and Zelda went to work at Joslyns as a hair and wig stylist. Until the day she passed she loved to tell back then Joslyns said if you were ever late three times just do not come to your next day of work. After fighting people and traffic for a few years Ernie and Zelda moved home to Springfield, Colorado and started Tri-County Electric and Wax-Wigwam. Zelda ran Wax-Wigwam for several years doing hair, nails, ceramics, candles, and painting. Zelda loved helping the 4H kids over the years get into art and ceramics.
Ernie and Zelda both loved doing many things. Trips to Las Vegas with family and friends, card parties, family reunions, taking the grandkids camping or on vacation, or just babysitting grandkids and great grandkids.
Zelda was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years Ernie Locke, her parents Frank and Mary Smith, her children Lucky Locke and Leitha Stolebarger. Siblings Alma Brosseau, Curtis Smith, and Patricia Bisgard. She is survived by grandkids Kyle Stolebarger of Springfield, Kevin Stolebarger and wife Jody of Springfield, Heidi Shockey and Husband Bryan of Covington, Louisiana. Great grandkids Madison Meardon and Cooper Stolebarger of Springfield, as well as great-great grandkids Bodie Konkel, Rowan Konkel, Hayes Meardon and Bleu Meardon, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider a Memorial Contribution to Springfield EMS Association, 972 Kansas Street, Springfield, CO 81073 or to Southeast Colorado Hospital District, 373 E. 10th Avenue, Springfield, CO 81073. Please indicate “In memory of Zelda Locke” on any contribution.
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Maltbie Funeral Services – Springfield on Nov. 23, 2024.