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- Juan “Bermeo” Urdaneta left this world after a long illness to reunite with his father on Friday, December 30, 2016. Juan was born in Bermeo, Viscaya, Spain on October 28, 1945. He came to the United States in 1964 to herd sheep in the Idaho/Oregon desert for Bill and Vaughn Stringer. After being a sheepherder for 9 years, Juan moved to Elko to help build the Holiday Inn. After that, he began his bartending career at the Stockmen’s Hotel and Casino. His next stop was the Commercial Hotel where he worked at the front bar for 18 years. Juan also bartended at the Biltoki and Toki Onas until his retirement in 2010.
Juan enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing Mus with his friends. In 1988, Juan and Txapo Leniz won the United States Mus Championship in Los Angeles and went on to represent the North American Basque Organization in Argentina.
Tio took great pride in teaching his son, daughter, nieces and nephews how to fish.
Juan is survived by his wife of 30 years, Adrienne, daughter Rebeca Urdanteta of Reno; son, Joseba Urdaneta of Elko; granddaughter, Mercedes Hartman of Elko; grandsons, Avery Baker of Reno and Carter Kepa of Elko; mother Teo Dora Larranaga and sister Mari Carmen (Antonio) Canteras of Tulsa; nephews, Javier (Jael) Canteras of Portland, OR., Brandon Gignac, Kellen Morris and Angelo Jones; nieces, Chelsea Gignac and Kassi Morris; great nieces and nephews, Jacob, Zachy, Jayla, DeQuan, J’rue, and Parker; sisters-in-law and family in Spain.
Elko Daily Free Press Jan 4, 2017
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