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Earl Rudolph Ilgen (July 7, 1932 — July 6, 2017)

Earl Rudolph Ilgen went to be with the Lord on July 6, 2017, in Meeker, Colorado, after a long struggle with health issues.

Earl was born on July 7, 1932, in Byers, Colorado, to Clark and Iola Ilgen. At the age of eight, Earl moved with his family to Basalt, Colorado. He graduated from Aspen High School in 1951. He entered the United State Air Force on March 31, 1952, and served in Japan during the Korean War. He separated from the Air Force on March 30, 1956.

On June 8, 1957, he married Carrol Jeanne Robinson in Rifle, Colorado, where they lived until January 1962, when they moved to Buena Vista, Colorado. Earl began working at Climax Molybdenum in Leadville, Colorado.

In 1982, the family moved to Meeker, Colorado, and Earl started working for Rio Blanco County in the courthouse. He took particular pride in his upkeep of that facility. Earl retired in 1994 and eventually moved with Carrol to Greeley, Colorado. After about five years they moved to El Paso, Texas, to live with their daughter who took exceptional care of them.

His family was his first priority, and Earl engaged in many activities such as camping, fishing, hunting and supporting his children’s school and athletic activities.

He was preceded in death by his father Clark Ilgen, mother Iola Ilgen, brother Clark Ilgen, sister RenaMay Smith, brother Jack Ilgen, and brother Harry Ilgen.

He is survived by his wife Carrol Jeanne of El Paso, Texas; son David Earl (Rebecca) of Greeley, Colorado; son Daniel R. of Meeker, Colorado; daughter Connie Jean of El Paso, Texas; foster-daughter Gina Anderson of Denver, Colorado; brother Paul of Castle Rock, Colorado; sister Phyllis Smith of Carbondale, Colorado; and brother Marion of Evergreen, Colorado. In addition, he leaves grandsons Tannor and Tyler, and granddaughters Madeline, Brooke, Gabrielle, and Bristol. He has numerous nieces and nephews.

The memorial service with be held at the Rifle Funeral Home located at 1400 Access Road in Rifle, Colorado. A graveside service will be held immediately after at Rosehill Cemetery in Rifle. A reception will follow at the Silt Community Center located at 480 Grand Avenue in Silt, Colorado.


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