Ellen Friedman
Denver native Ellen Gail Friedman died on October 16, 2024, at the age of 88. A service was held on October 21 at Temple Emanuel, with interment at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Steven Foster. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in 1936, Mrs. Friedman grew up on Denver’s East Side and attended East High School. She graduated from DU with a degree in secretarial science.
While in high school Mrs. Friedman met Sheldon Friedman. They attended DU together and were married in March, 1958. They were a couple until Mrs. Friedman’s passing.
“She had a sharp mind, a wonderful sense of humor and excelled as a mother, homemaker and community leader,” Mr. Friedman said, who noted that his wife served on many charitable committees, including at Temple Emanuel.
“She was truly a woman of valor,” he said.
Survivors are Mrs. Friedman’s husband Sheldon; son Brad (Laurie) Friedman; sister Linda Heller; grandchildren Jack Friedman, Jordan (Katrina) Friedman, Brandon (Tayler) Friedman and Lauren Friedman (Gabriel) Suits; and great-grandchild Noa Friedman Suits.
Contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel, JFS or the Alzheimer’s Assn., Rocky Mountain Chapter.
Judith Littman
Judith “Judy” Anne Littman passed away on November 17, 2024, at the age of 81. A service was held on November 19 at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Rick Brody. Horan & McConaty Funeral Service made the arrangements.
Mrs. Littman (née Kidd) was born in North Platte, Neb., on April 25, 1943. She moved to Denver in 1963 and when attending a hairdressing academy one year later in Denver she met Larry Littman. They were married in November, 1966 at Beth Joseph, and remained a couple until Mr. Littman’s passing in 1999.
“Judy briefly worked as a hair stylist, realtor and office administrator for family friend, Dr. David Albert and Dove Valley Vision, but her actual job was serving as a mother and grandmother,” her family said.
“Judy spent countless hours cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her kids and grandkids — primarily on football, baseball and soccer fields, pools, golf courses and at other sporting events.
“She had a fantastic sense of humor and always provided a great punchline. She was a true mensch.”
Survivors are children David (Jennifer) Littman and Kelley (Andrew) Harris; grandchildren Cecilee (Colton) Barnes, Tate Littman, Mason Harris and Reese Littman; and great-grandchildren Hattie and Birdie Barnes.
Contributions may be made to the Dumb Friends League.
Lorraine Asarch
Former Denver resident Lorraine Barnett Asarch passed away on November 12, 2024. She was 85. Plans for a gathering in Sarasota, Fla., are pending.
An Illinois native, Mrs. Asarch, was born on December 30, 1938. She began her college education in Iowa, where she grew up. In June, 1969, she married Larry Asarch, and the couple lived in Denver until they moved to Florida in 1979.
While in Denver, Mrs. Asarch completed her degree in criminology at Metro State. She earned her degree in education in Florida.
Mrs. Asarch’s family said she was a small business owner, worked in the administration of Sarasota County Schools, and was a poll worker in Denver and Sarasota.
“She was also a notary public,” Mrs. Asarch’s family said. “That allowed her to perform numerous marriage ceremonies over the years.
“She was a lifelong learner, enjoyed attending the theater and musical performances.”
Survivors are Mrs. Asarch’s husband Larry; children Kristina Hynds, Michael A. Asarch and Laurie Asarch (Dale) Kline; grandchildren Richard (Shelbi) Hynds, Vanessa Hynds, Morgan Asarch Lureiro and Jordan Asarch (Peter Feira); great- grandchildren Serena, Emily, and Romi; siblings Sheldon (Merle) Rosenfeld, Butch Eisenberg and Casey “Marsha” Sierota.
Contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Sarasota County, Fla., or Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota.
Ruth Keusch
Ruth Pearl Rappaport Keusch died October 10, 2024. She was 90. A service was held the same day in Tel Aviv, with interment at Yarkon Cemetery.
Mrs. Keusch was the mother of Denver’s Leah Peer.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on June 8, 1934, she attended Brooklyn College, and married David Louis Keusch on June 12, 1955. The family made aliyah in 1970. The two were avid travelers and remained a couple until his death in 2014.
An artist, Mrs. Keusch created hundreds of drawings, oil paintings, water colors and statues, which she often gave away.
“She was a vibrant, creative person who rarely sat still,” her family said. “She took care of our household, worked together with my father in the family business — the post office-newsstand-card shop at Hebrew University on the Mt. Scopus campus — and still had time to paint, draw and sculpt.”
In her 70s Mrs. Keusch took up tennis and started performing with community theater. She also belonged to a senior group that created documentaries for Israeli public access TV, discovering the world of video editing.
Mrs. Keusch is survived by children Leah (Jeff) Peer, Nathan (Edit) Keusch, Paula (Udi) Keusch, Avram (Sarah) Keusch, and Tzvi (Sharon) Keusch; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother Mark Rappaport.
Contributions may be made to the HEA music fund.
© IJN 2024
