A. L. "Ace" Asa

A.L. "ACE" ASA Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident, Mr. A.L. Asa will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 14 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Al Strauss will officiate. Mr. Asa passed away on February 6, 2011 at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his only son, Charles Asa; his beloved wife, Kate Higman Asa; and by two grandsons, David Joseph McKenzie and Jonathan McKenzie both of Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Asa was a long time resident of Cortez and resided at Vista Mesa Assisted Living for the past four years. A.L. Asa was born in Brock, Neb. on May 14, 1920. He was the youngest of five children born to Dr. and Mrs. A.L. Asa. He was raised on a farm, graduated from high school in Morrill, Neb. and attended medical school until the war broke out and he was called to service in 1944. "Ace", as he was fondly referred to by family and friends, moved to Cortez in 1954. He worked for Lee Butane and eventually bought it out. Asa Welding Supply and the HONEYDIPPER septic tank cleaning business were principle occupations until his retirement in 1980. To remain active, he bought several old homes in the Cortez area, remodeled them himself and made them into comfortable rental properties. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and in his earlier years was an avid big game hunter. A.L. Asa was very active in the community. He was a Mason, past Commander of the American Legion Post in Cortez and a member of the Cortez Elks Club. He was also a member of the Cortez Methodist church. Mr. Asa is survived by his three daughters, Lanya Appy and her husband, Armand of Boulbon, France, Mrs. Moni Asa and Mrs. Michi McKenzie and husband, Douglas all of Tucson, Ariz.; also surviving are eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made in A.L. Asa's name to the Alzheimer's Association.