Camille Besse

Camille Besse

The Gunnison Valley has lost one of their own. Camille Besse passed away on April 28, 2025 at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 28 days.

Graveside service will be Friday, May 16, 2025 at 11 am. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Gunnison Elks Lodge.

Camille was the only daughter of George Peter Besse and Jean McKee Besse. She was born in Gunnison on June 26, 1937. On December 9, 1939 her brother, George Martin Besse, was born. She is survived by her brother George (Joy), niece and nephew Margaret and Pete (Kari), great nephews and niece Connor (Chelsea), Tanner, Riley, and great great nephew, Tollen.

For most people in the Valley, they associate Camille with the Gunnison Schools. She graduated from Gunnison County High School in 1955. After graduating, she moved to Denver with her grandmother, Winona Allen McKee, to attend Barns Business College (no dorms or safe places to live alone). Upon graduation, she was hired to work in the office to do secretary work and keep the books. She must have loved her job, as she stayed for 50 years.

As an adult, she was a member of Rebekah Assembly of Colorado and one of the first ladies to join Gunnison Elks 1623. She was a Trustee for 4 years.

Camille spent most of her life on North Iowa Street. When her grandfather, Fred McKee died, her grandmother Winona McKee, left the ranch in Ohio Creek Valley and moved into their house. Since there were no school buses, the McKee children stayed at the Besse’s home during the week. Thanks to their generosity Ann, Marcia, and Keith McKee had a place to stay. Bud served in the military and married early.

Camille was named after her immigrant Swiss grandfather, who came to the Gunnison Valley in 1891. Her grandmother, Antionette Metroz, came in 1892 from another village in Switzerland. She met Camille in Gunnison and were married at St. Peter and had 5 children, Helen Zugelder, Alfred, Hazel Murray, George, and Marguerite Kyffin, while living on their ranch on Wiley Lane. The log house is still standing.

The family thanks all of her friends that were loyal visitors during her final days. A special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and all the staff at the hospital and the Gunnison Care Center.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Gunnison Animal Lovers or the Gunnison Pioneer Museum.