Alyson Johnson

Alyson (Pilcher) Johnson was born and raised in Rangely, CO, where she attended dental hygiene school after graduating high school. She started her dental hygiene career in Boise, ID, but soon moved to Rifle, where she lived the rest of her life. She married Chad Johnson in 2002, and gave birth to her only child, Kellen, in 2006.

Aly was passionate about everything she did, especially being a mother and wife. She volunteered at Graham Mesa Elementary, was a member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Rifle Middle School, and both a member and president of the Bears Booster Club. She also volunteered as a track coach at the middle school, at the kids’ programs at New Creation Church, helped score 4-H shooting sports at county shoots, and was always there to help wherever and whenever she could. She exemplified the volunteer spirit, particularly in supporting the youth of the community.

Robert Flohr

Robert was born and raised in Kansas and after graduating North Central Kansas Vo-Tech, he met the love of his life, Joann Bunker. They married in 1972 and would eventually move to New Castle, Colorado in 1977. They settled on a ranch outside of Rifle, Colorado in 1982. Robert and Joann made a life together farming the hay fields, ranching, and raising three children, five grandkids and one great-grandchild.

Robert could be seen driving tractors and equipment through the towns of Rifle and Silt. He was an active member of the community and past president of the Garfield County Fair Board, the Colorado Quarter Horse Association, and Northwest High School Rodeo Club. Robert’s tradition of hard work and western lifestyle still lives on through his family.

Matt Nieslanik

Matt was a lifelong resident of Carbondale. He took pride in working hard on the ranch he leased and continue the family legacy of ranching that his parents started in 1956. As a young man, Matt participated in 4-H with his livestock eventually winning the grand champion steer. Matt attended Northwestern Community College on a baseball scholarship and then transferred to Mesa State College. He met his wife Heather at Mesa State and together they raised two wonderful boys.

Matt had a passion for horses and was a gifted horseman. He loved to ride and raised many good horses from his breeding stock. Team roping was one of the events Matt loved and was also successful at. His collection of buckles and saddles are a reminder of his dedication to the sport of rodeo. When Matt was not roping at the rodeo he worked as a pickup man for the Snowmass and Carbondale rodeos, as well as several high school events. He was nothing short of a cowboy’s hero.

Matt was well-known throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. He had a contagious smile and a quick wit that is dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.