Avis L. Lull

Avis Louise Lull, 89, of Montrose, CO, passed away after a brief battle of cancer at her home in Montrose on July 17, 2011 with her sons by her side. A graveside funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 26 at Hickory Grove (Blocker) Cemetery, Haddam. Avis was born February 11, 1922 to Stanley Nicholas and Mabel Frances (Stewart) Lallak in Haddam, KS. She was the youngest of three girls. All of her childhood schooling was in Haddam and she later received her bachelors and masters from Western State College, Gunnison, CO. Avis taught for 29 years. Her first assignment was a rural school outside of Haddam before she was 19 years of age. For most of her career she taught 1st grade for the Lincoln County school district in Waldport, OR. She also taught in the Montrose School district at Stone School in Olathe, Ridgway schools and Nucla schools, where her husband Kenneth, was superintendent. A longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma, teaching was her passion. This also included teaching her grand and great grandchildren a thing or two about life and love along the way. On August 1, 1942 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Delbert Lull in Salina, KS. They were blessed with twin sons, Rodney and Rodger. While living in Oregon during the school year and on the Gunnison River at the Cotton Hurst cabins during the summers, she managed to complete her education. After Cotton Hurst closed, they established a summer home above Pitkin, CO. There in Pitkin, Avis and her husband Ken summered “on top of the Green Mountain” in their rustic log cabin built by their two sons. For many years Avis was very involved in the Pitkin Community Church. She played piano often, sang with Ken and participated in many Christmas Eve worship services alongside her family. She and Ken also attended Jazz Festivals around the country, loving to dance. Their teaching career took the family to many parts of the country. They called Fort Collins, CO, Las Cruces. NM, Hesperis, CO, Dodge City, KS, Olathe CO, Ridgway CO, Nucla CO , Waldport, OR their home, and Avis’s final and favorite home, Montrose, CO. They moved back to Montrose Colorado in the fall of 1993, where she has resided ever since. Kenneth passed away September, 1997. Avis was initiated into the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BL and was already a member of Eastern Star from Ophel Chapter 115, KS. Avis was very active in the Montrose Women’s Club and actively involved in her local church. Avis had a great love for life and a special love for children. Her faith led her through her life and was obvious to all that knew her. We know we can say that her students and friends loved her as much as we do. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Selena Hiesterman. Surviving include her sons, Rodney Lull and Rodger Lull; sister, Christine Cooper; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The family wishes for Memorials to: First Presbyterian Church, Montrose, CO; P.E.O. Chapter BL, Montrose and the Pitkin Community Church or any charity of your choice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Avis L. Lull, please visit our flower store.