Berlena Montover Carturier of Grand Junction died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, at LaVilla Grande Nursing Home in Grand Junction. She was 98.

She was born Sept. 29, 1904, in Val d’Aosta, Italy, to Aline Lena Letey and Joseph Montover, the oldest of 12 children. When she was 4, her parents emigrated to the United States. They lived in the Snowmass-Capitol Creek area near Aspen. Mrs. Carturier attended the Billy Williams school.

She married James Carturier, an Italian immigrant, in December 1925. They ranched on Sopris Creek near Emma.

She made cheeses in round blocks, baked bread, made sausages, preserved all the meat, raised a huge garden, and drove teams and wagons or buggies for transportation. The family cut and skidded logs to erect a bunkhouse and a horse barn, and grew hay, potatoes and grains. Every fall, she ordered grapes from California to make wine for the family’s use.

In 1949, they sold the ranch and moved to Silt.

Mr. Carturier died April 2, 1951, and Mrs. Carturier moved to Glenwood Springs, where she worked as a nurse at the Valley View Nursing Home in Glenwood Springs.

She raised a large garden, enjoyed visiting people and loved Italian music and dancing.

Mrs. Carturier traveled with her daughters on a cruise to Alaska, rafted on the Colorado River, rode elephants and camels in circuses, and never knew a stranger. She always enjoyed dressing well and having her picture taken.

Later in life she moved to Grand Junction to be near her younger daughter.

She was preceded in death by brothers Fred Montover and Flavin Montover; and by sisters Estella Montover, Emma Montover, Edith Montover Arbaney and Mary Barnett. Her brother, Frank Montover of Silt, died March 3, 2003.

Mrs. Carturier is survived by daughters and son-in-law Stella and Mike Bianco of Silt, and Pauline Haller of Grand Junction; by grandchildren Michael and Karen Bianco of Longmont, and Lois and Dan Vetter of Clifton; by five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; by brothers and sisters-in-law Leno and Shirley Montover of Silt, and Paleno and Louise Montover of Clifton; by sisters Vera Diemoz and Alma Murdock of Glenwood Springs; and by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Cremation has taken place, and no services are planned.

Callahan-Edfast Mortuary of Grand Junction is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Grand Valley, PO Box 60307, Grand Junction, CO 81506.