Lura Nadine Reschke

Lura Nadine Reschke, born to Randolph T. and Helen Francis Detwiler Kerfoot in Crescent, Oklahoma, on October 20, 1930, passed away after a long and remarkable life. From an early age, Lura held a deep love for music. Gifted a piano at ten, she began playing piano and organ for her church at thirteen and continued sharing her musical gift until she was ninety-five.

She and her siblings rode horseback to a one-room schoolhouse for her early education. A dedicated student, Lura graduated as valedictorian of the Crescent High School class of 1949. That same year she married fellow musician Joe David Reschke. The couple moved to Denver in 1951 and were blessed with six children. In 1963, they settled on a property near Hotchkiss, Colorado, where they raised their family.

Lura’s music enriched countless lives throughout the Delta County community. She played regularly for the Kiwanis Club, senior citizens’ gatherings, the Delta County Hymn Sing, the Paonia Nursing Home, and many other programs and events. She also served as organist for the local mortuary and her church each Sunday. Her years of service earned her several honors, including Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1981, VFW Citizen of the Year in 1982, and the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society Good Samaritan Award in 1997.

Above all, Lura cherished making friends and helping others. She lived a life marked by genuine service and warm hospitality toward her family, friends, church family, and community, always ready to lend a hand, especially to seniors. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ with her whole heart and followed Him faithfully in love, service, and friendship. In her final days she said, “Just celebrate my life—I’ve had a good one! The six have been the best!!! The Lord is so good!!!”

Lura is survived by her six children: Louise (Barry) Beckley of Norwalk, California, Linda McDaniel of Hotchkiss, Larry (Sharon) Reschke of Eckert, Lois Hines of Wamego, Kansas, Luke (Frankie) Reschke of Paonia, and Leabeth Quinn of Calgary, Canada; two sisters-in-law, Melvina Kerfoot and Violet Bishop; fifteen grandchildren; and twenty-five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe David Reschke; her parents; her sisters, Helen and Corinne Kerfoot; her brothers, Howard, Lee, and Harold Kerfoot; and her son-in-law, Gaylon (Tiny) McDaniel.