June Louise Franzoy Lytle Rutherford
August 26, 1924 — November 21, 2023
June Louise Franzoy, Lytle, Rutherford, known as “Nano” to her loved ones went to her eternal rest at
the age of 99 on Tuesday November 21, 2023, in Las Cruces, NM. She was born at the family home in
Salem NM on August 26, 1924, to Giuseppe Carlo and Celestina Lena Franzoy who were immigrants
from Sporminore Austria.
June married her high school sweetheart Ja...
June Louise Franzoy, Lytle, Rutherford, known as “Nano” to her loved ones went to her eternal rest at
the age of 99 on Tuesday November 21, 2023, in Las Cruces, NM. She was born at the family home in
Salem NM on August 26, 1924, to Giuseppe Carlo and Celestina Lena Franzoy who were immigrants
from Sporminore Austria.
June married her high school sweetheart James (Jim) Albert Lytle on July 4, 1942. They had three
children, Jimmy Joe, Carolyn Joyce, and Sherry Ann. June and Jim followed in the family tradition of
farming. They farmed 36 acres in Salem NM where they built the first red chile dehydrator, green chile
processing plant and certified chile seed production company. The Lytle’s soon became one of top
producers of chile pepper seed in the United States. They worked alongside Dr. Roy Nakayama and New
Mexico State University to produce a new experimental chile pepper the ‘NuMex Big Jim’ now known as
the Big Jim chile pepper. The pepper was named in honor of James Lytle who was known as “Big Jim.”
After Jims untimely passing, June went on to run the family business and became one of the first women
business owners in the chile industry. She was also instrumental in the organization of the very first
Hatch Chile Festival.
June later remarried SP (Payne) Rutherford. June and Payne bonded over their love of hunting and
nature. They were married until his death in 2000.
...June Louise Franzoy, Lytle, Rutherford, known as “Nano” to her loved ones went to her eternal rest at
the age of 99 on Tuesday November 21, 2023, in Las Cruces, NM. She was born at the family home in
Salem NM on August 26, 1924, to Giuseppe Carlo and Celestina Lena Franzoy who were immigrants
from Sporminore Austria.
June married her high school sweetheart James (Jim) Albert Lytle on July 4, 1942. They had three
children, Jimmy Joe, Carolyn Joyce, and Sherry Ann. June and Jim followed in the family tradition of
farming. They farmed 36 acres in Salem NM where they built the first red chile dehydrator, green chile
processing plant and certified chile seed production company. The Lytle’s soon became one of top
producers of chile pepper seed in the United States. They worked alongside Dr. Roy Nakayama and New
Mexico State University to produce a new experimental chile pepper the ‘NuMex Big Jim’ now known as
the Big Jim chile pepper. The pepper was named in honor of James Lytle who was known as “Big Jim.”
After Jims untimely passing, June went on to run the family business and became one of the first women
business owners in the chile industry. She was also instrumental in the organization of the very first
Hatch Chile Festival.
June later remarried SP (Payne) Rutherford. June and Payne bonded over their love of hunting and
nature. They were married until his death in 2000.
June is survived by, daughter, Sherry Ann Lytle-Russell, Don Russell, Cody, Casey, Ryan & Felicia Russell
and their children Wesley & Riley; daughter-n-law Josephine Lytle and her children Rhonda & Fred
Cabrales and children, Jacque (Trip) Robson and children; daughter-n-law Patsy Lytle Neal; Faron &
Rosie Lytle and their children Amy & Javier Marquez & family, Candace & Josh Barret & family, Melanie
& Darnell Spears & family; Vernon & Tim Lytle; Mindy Montez & children Skylar, Christopher & Mary
Montez & Family , Kayla & Mark Baraibar & Family, Megan, Adam, & Brianna. Dusty Garland, Misty &
Patrick Peck and children Wiliam & Hailey; Cheryl & Danny Ray Fifer, children Danica & Nathan Gonzalez
and family, Gregory & Kelly Garland and children Gabriel & Jesus Sanchez and family, Devon Garland,
and Teya Garland. Larry Don Rutherford (Stepson) and his family Debbie & Frank Ames and their
children Desmond, Travis & Shantey & family, Miranda & Kenny Frederickson; Terry Kinsfather and
children Trevor & Lindsey & family, and Kalie & Kieran Keenan, Ricky Rutherford and daughter Michelle.
June is also survived by her sister in-law Kathren Franzoy and family.
June is survived by many great & great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
June was proceeded in death by Guiseppe Carlo & Celistina Lena Franzoy; husbands, James Albert Lytle
(Big Jim), S.P. Rutherford (Payne); Son Jimmy Joe Lytle; daughter, Carolyn Joyce Garland; daughter in-law
Carla Rutherford, grandson Tiger Kinsfather; sisters, Rose Riggs (Fred); Irene Riggs (Earl); Fanny Fragile
(Frank & Cornelius Franzoy); brothers, Albert Franzoy (Viola, Maggie & Hazel); Alex Franzoy (Tessie); Joe
Franzoy (Naoma); Charlie Franzoy (JoAnn); Fred Franzoy (Aileen) and Frank Franzoy (Mary.)
Nano we will miss you! You are loved by many. Your legacy will live forever!
Funeral Services will be held at Our Lord of Mercy Catholic church, Hatch, NM. Rosery @ 9:30 am and
funeral services immediately following. The burial will be held at the Salem Catholic cemetery, Salem,
NM. A meal and celebration of life will be held after the burial at Our Lord of Mercy Catholic church
event hall.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Faron Lytle, Vernon Lytle, Patrick Peck, Danny Ray Fifer, Greg Garland, Cody
Russell, Casey Russell, & Ryan Russell.
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