Lolita Ann (Burgard) Aulston was born in Cheyenne Wells, CO on April 30th, 1929. She lived on a farm all her life, and when younger she attended school in a one room school house for 8 grades, then onto high school. In May, 1944 she and a pen pal exchanged trips from Salina, KS to Cheyenne Wells, CO. On her way home from Salina on the train, she had an empty seat beside her that a “good looking” soldier kept “eyeing.” The soldier finally got the nerve to ask her if the seat was taken, and this started a slow, shy conversation. The soldier, her future husband Russel Aulston, was on furlough to Olympia, WA, so when the train stopped in Cheyenne Wells he knew her name and where she lived. He went to see her later that summer, but was transferred to Camp Atterbury, IN, then overseas to Germany, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was ultimately taken Prisoner of War for 4 mos.

Lolita continued onto high school and was baptized and confirmed into the Grace Lutheran Church in Cheyenne Wells. She helped her dad on the farm, driving tractors, and herding cows. Lolita was an active member of the 4-H Club raising a blue-ribbon steer, and received a blue ribbon and grand champion bread that was taken to the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, CO. Lolita played in the high school band and orchestra and sang in the chorus and glee club.

Lolita and Russel were married on Aug 17, 1946. They had two children Leta May and Gene before moving to Yellow Jacket, CO in 1950. After moving, they welcomed their second son, Duane. They lived and farmed in the Yellow Jacket area. Lolita and Russel drove the Yellow Jacket and Pleasant View school bus for 12 years. Lolita also worked at the Yellow Jacket Store for 10 years before becoming the Yellow Jacket Postmaster, to which she retired from in 1993. Lolita belonged to the Yellow Jacket Ladies Club and the Yellow Jacket Community Club. Lolita and Russel were charter members of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cortez, seeing many changes there.

Lolita leaves her son, Gene Aulston, sister Edith Koeller, along with grandchildren Stacy (Arlen) Kyhl, Dennis (Tammy) Aulston, Darrell (Kali) Aulston, Michael (Lacey) Albrecht, Stephanie (Willie) Trimble, Anna Aulston, along with several great grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Lolita was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Clara Burgard, husband Russel Aulston, daughter Leta May Uhl, son Duane Aulston, and brother-in-law Harley Koeller.

Services for Lolita Aulston will be held on Friday, October 2nd, 2026, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cortez, CO with interment to follow at Cortez Cemetery.