Loretta Eloise Callahan (Bland), of Kingman, died January 29, 2024. Loretta was born on April 11, 1942, in Kingman, AZ.
Her parents were A.T. and Fern Bland. She was one of 11 children who grew up on the Big Sandy. Loretta attended area schools in both Wikieup and Kingman, then graduated from Mohave Union High School. She met Dennis H. Callahan, Sr., when she worked for her dad at the Wikieup Store and Bar, and he came into town looking for a job. They married in 1961 at the Wikieup Schoolhouse.
The couple went on to have five children who were raised in Kingman. Loretta went on to work at local grocery stores, later retiring from Smith’s Food and Drug. She was involved in 4H horse and livestock events for many years where she made many lifelong friends. In her retirement, Loretta enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cooking, baking, quilting, and making chocky-milk for all.
Her passing follows her husband, two brothers, three sisters, and two sons, Dennis Callahan Jr and Daniel Callahan. Loretta is survived by four sisters: Sharon Francis, Lois Simonson (Rick), Nancy Blake, and Phyllis Blankenship; one brother, Bill Bland; her son David Shawn Callahan and two daughters Dawn (Tim) Parker, and Denna “Jo” (Lance) Cencelewski; eleven grandchildren Derrick (Tiffany) Callahan, Danielle (Jordan) McMillon, David Shawn Callahan, Jr., Drew (Mike) Diaz, Dustin (Danielle) Callahan, Dylan (Derrick) Mack, Chad Callahan, Dakota (Trey) Dupee, Serena (Chase) Parlanti, Delanie Cencelewski, Drayson (Sydney) Cencelewski, and nineteen great-grandchildren.
A service will be held Friday Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Funeral Home. She will be missed by a large extended family and all who knew her.
