AUGUST 2003
Ruby J. Claudson ~ August 5, 2003
Edith P. Coughenor ~ August 6, 2003
Edward J. Singer ~ August 10, 2003
Vera Betters Ferguson ~ August 11, 2003
Russell W. Moore ~ August 13, 2003
Maryellen Sheridan ~ August 17, 2003
H. Earl Capellen ~ August 17, 2003
Cade Jakson Black ~ August 17, 2003
Pearl I. Harris ~ August 28, 2003
Margaret Ann Halbur ~ August 29, 2003
Loretta M. Gilbert ~ August 29, 2003
Ruby J. Claudson, 79, died Tuesday, Aug. 5 at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody.
She was born April 21, 1924, to John and Anna Ferguson in Powell. She married Charley L. Claudson on Feb. 13, 1946. They made their lifelong home in the Heart Mountain community, ranching and farming.
She is survived by three children in Cody: her son, Earl Claudson, and his wife, Phyllis; her daughters and their husbands, Rita and Stephen Corns and Shelia and Paul Blough; her grandchildren, April Corns, Randal Corns, Amber Blough, Rusty and Krista Blough; and great-grandson, Noah Blough. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Kaup of Forsyth, Mont., and nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Charley, and her brother, John Ferguson, preceded her in death.
At her request, cremation has taken place, and a family memorial service was held.
A Ruby Claudson memorial has been set up for the "Serenity Garden" at West Park Hospital in Cody.
Edith P. Coughenour, 89, Powell, died Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Powell Hospital after a prolonged bout with cancer.
She was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on Dec. 1, 1913, to Leroy B. and Edith G. Hagen. She married Arthur G. Coughenour in Syracuse on Sept. 21, 1935. In 1941, they moved to Uniontown, Pa., where they resided until 1988 when they retired to Powell.
She was a devoted wife and mother. She was an avid gardener, and enjoyed reading, needlework and music in her spare time. She was a member of the Third Presbyterian Church in Uniontown and taught both adult and children's Sunday School classes for many years. In Powell, she was a 15-year member of the Union Presbyterian Church and Women's Circle.
She was active in the Menallen Grange for over 30 years. She was employed as a sales manager for the Houze Glass Corp. in Point Marion, Pa., for 17 years and retired in 1972.
Survivors include her children and their families, son Art and wife Bernadette of Powell and their children: Tim; Steve and wife Sheri, Kelly and wife Tiffany and Aimee and husband Brian; daughter Carol Paquette of Arlington, Va., and her children: Laura and husband Charles; Quentin and wife Mary; Guy; and Hugh and wife Khadija; son Glenn and wife Katherine of Bryn Mawr, Pa., and their children: Corinne and husband Mike; and Evan; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother and three sisters.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and her husband, Arthur G.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell. Burial of cremains will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Former Powell resident Edward J. Singer died Sunday, Aug. 10 in Phoenix, Ariz., at the age of 65.
He was born July 30, 1938, in Powell, son of Edward and Margaret Singer, former pioneers of the O'Donnell community. He attended Powell schools and graduated from Powell High School with the Class of 1956, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
After his discharge, he continued his education at Northwest Community College and the University of Wyoming. He chose a career in education and taught in several Wyoming schools.
When he retired, he made his home in Phoenix. Family members said he would be remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to "save a buck."
He is survived by his wife, Terry, of Phoenix; two sons, Scott and Shawn; his sister, Bobbie Tschida, in Tacoma, Wash.; two grandchildren and nephews and nieces, Donnie and Mark Kranz and Janice, John and Glen Stewart.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Karen Kranz.
Vera Betters Ferguson- August 11
Vera Berdena Betters Ferguson, 88, died Aug. 11 in West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody.
She was born April 17, 1915, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. She graduated from Bagley High School in 1933 where she played center on the girls basketball team. She traveled to Wyoming to visit her sister and brother-in-law, Leta and George Gibson in Powell, and met her future husband, Leo Betters.
They were married on Sept. 7, 1943, in Cour'd Alene, Idaho, where he was stationed while in naval training. After honeymooning in Mexico, Mr. Betters went on to serve in World War II, and she returned to Powell to run the family business, Leo's Cleaners.
Upon her husband's return from service, they continued operating the cleaning establishment from 1945 until his death in 1972.
Later, Vera worked as a secretary/receptionist for Dr. Glenn Watters at his optometry office for a number of years. She then married John Ferguson and they were together until his death in 1984.
During her life, she was a member of Eastern Star and the First United Methodist Church in Powell for over 50 years. She received the Professional Business Woman of the year award in 1981.
She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed golf and skiing for most of their life.
Her family will remember her as an incredible seamstress who could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear without a pattern. Camping and traveling with her dog, Gigi, were among her favorite pastimes.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Pam Betters of Cody and Bill and Karol Betters of Ft. Collins, Colo.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services were held Aug. 18 at First United Methodist Church in Powell.
Russell W. (Russ) Moore, 82, Powell, died Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Aspen Meadows Health Care in Billings, Mont., after a short illness.
He was born May 28, 1921, at Walnut Ridge, Ark., to Charles E. and Alma Smith Moore. After the death of his father, the family moved to Wewoka, Okla., where he finished school and then attended the University of Oklahoma at Norman.
He married Wanda G. Coble in Woweka on Nov. 25, 1944. To this marriage were born two daughters: Cheryl Ann Carlisle and Patricia L. Cook. His wife, Wanda, died in Powell July 5, 1992.
Mr. Moore began working for Standard Oil & Gas Company in 1946, to become Pan American Petroleum Company and finally Amoco Production Co. He worked for the company in Oklahoma, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota before retiring early at Casper on May 1, 1979. He returned to Powell in retirement.
He was Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Powell and a life member of the Consistory and the Shrine in Sheridan.
Survivors include his daughter, Patricia L. Cook of Billings; grandson Kevin and his wife Cristy Cook and two great-granddaughters, Taylor Lynn Cook and Brianna June Cook, all of Billings.
He was preceded in death by his mother, sister and daughter Cheryl of Tulsa, Okla.
He spent many happy years coordinating Shrine Club children's hospital travel activities. He was also active in promoting the Powell school student golfing program.
At his request, cremation has taken place and no memorial service will be held.
Maryellen "Doodle" Sheridan, 79, died peacefully Sunday morning, Aug. 17 surrounded by her loved ones in Bakersfield, Calif.
Memorial services will be held at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Cut Bank, Mont., on Friday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Memorial Cemetery. No visitation is scheduled.
One of 12 children, she was born Sept. 23, 1923, to Joseph and Mary Lohof in Hysham, Mont. The family lived in Lovell from 1938 to 1946, east of town on the Looper place, and Maryellen graduated from Lovell High School in 1941.
She then graduated from the St. Alphonsus Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. In 1952, she married A.E. Sheridan, and they shared 35 years together, raising their children.
Survivors include her children: son Jeff Sheridan and wife Roxi of Powell, son Dennis Sheridan and wife Deb, daughter Kim Hoefner and husband Dean, and son Mark Sheridan and wife Veronica, all of Bakersfield; her brothers, Don Lohof of Red Lodge, Mont., and Al Lohof of Lincoln City, Ore.; her sister, Trisha Schaeffer and husband Roy of Cut Bank, Mont.; 12 grandchildren, Jenni Skalsky and husband Jeff, Deidre Hoefner, Jaycee Sepulveda, Katie Sheridan, Erica Hoefner, Chance Sheridan, Jared Sheridan, Rachel Sheridan, Patrick Sheridan, Dane Sheridan, Bridget Hoefner and Colby Sheridan; three great-grandchildren, Shelby McMahan, Karson Skalsky and Karter Skalsky; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Those who knew Maryellen know her grandchildren were the light of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband. Memorials to a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
Funeral services for H. Earl Capellen of Cody will be Friday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody. Mr. Capellen, 66, died Sunday, Aug. 17 at West Park Hospital.
He was born Oct. 13, 1936, in Red Lodge, Mont., to Howard Earl and Georgia Edith (Maddox) Capellen. He graduated from Cody High School in 1955 and served a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Germany.
He married Esther Johnston April 15, 1966, in Cody. He was employed at Celotex in Cody as a mill operator and later as a night watchman. He retired from Celotex after 32-1/2 years.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, the outdoors and his 15 grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of Eagles, a league bowler and a reader of Western books. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Esther of Cody; his children, Jerry (Donna) Capellen of Lovell, Candi Tryon of Powell, Chuck (Valerie) Price of Lander, Peggy (Dennis) Cheatham of Pine Bluffs, Harvey (Marianne) Capellen of Havre, Mont., and Virgil (Cassie) Capellen of Cody; his brother, Virgil Capellen of Cottontown, Tenn.; and 15 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother; and a sister-in-law, Nellie.
Viewing will be at Ballard's from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Cody.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eagles Lodge #818, 1001 13th St., Cody, WY 82414.
Cade Jakson Black, infant son of Ty and Kelli Black, was stillborn at Powell Hospital Sunday, Aug. 17.
Private family funeral services will be held.
In addition to the parents, survivors include a brother, Zak Black, 2-1/2, of the family home; grandparents Janice and Scott Gormley and Nancy and Ted Grant, all of Powell; great-grandparents, Earl and Opal Jones and Joanne Gormley, all of Powell, and Barbara Black of Billings, Mont., and Betty Mollet of Cody; great-great grandfather, Lyle Sheets of Powell; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Honorary pallbearers for the child's funeral will be Nate Nix, Chase Nix, Colt Nix, Dillon Nix and Morgan Black.
Richard Jacob Kragler- August 26
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Powell for Richard Jacob Kragler, 91, who died Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Powell Hospital.
Pastor Larry Veland will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Kragler, who most recently lived at the Heartland assisted living facility in Powell, for many years owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store, and later, Kragler's, a variety store in the same downtown Powell location.
He was born May 1, 1912, in Omaha, Nebr. During some 50 years in Powell, he was active in the business community and civic life. He often spoke of his enjoyment from participating in Powell's parades where he portrayed various characters.
He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Lions Club, Eagles, the Kiwanis Club, the Senior Citizens Center, and, previously, the Big Horn Basin Boat Club.
He enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, reading and especially having a cup of coffee with friends. Travel was important to him, whether to see the world or to see his family. His many trips took him to China, Australia, Europe, Mexico, the Panama Canal and Africa, among others. But coming home to his beloved Powell and Wyoming brought him great happiness.
Survivors include his daughters, Shirley Kelley and husband Jerry of Canton, Mich., Sharon Ross and husband Read of Lansing, Mich., Sherry Kragler and a special friend, John Talue, of Muncie, Ind., and Janice Ellis and husband Richard of Willard, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Kurt, Scott, Todd, Jill, Sean, Brad and Erica; and four great-grandchildren, Skylar, Mitchell, Rilyn and Erin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Tervo Kragler; a son, Richard A. Kragler; and a grandson, Mitchell K. Kelley.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Northwest College Foundation or a charity of choice. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A private interment will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery.
The mother of a Powell woman died Thursday, Aug. 28 in Cody. Pearl I. Harris, 81, died at West Park Long Term Care Center.
She was born Dec. 8, 1921, in Bismarck, N.D., daughter of Martin and Emma Nelson Norum. She grew up and attended schools in Bismarck.
She and her family moved to Mississippi when she was 18 years old. In 1950, her family moved to Alaska where they lived for six years and then moved to the Seattle/Tacoma area in Washington state. They remained there until 2000 when she moved to Wyoming to be near her daughter.
She enjoyed painting, an activity she began at age 62.
Survivors include her daughter, Judy Kukuchka of Powell; a sister, Jeanette Meuller of Minnesota; grandchildren Penny and Chuck Johnston, Keith and Brenda Mead, Tracy and Steve Steffgen, Harry and Tami Mead, and Albert and Sara Kukuchka, Jr.; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Martin Norum, Jr. and Arthur Norum; and a sister, Myrtle McLean.
Cremation has taken place. In accordance with her wishes, no services are planned.
Margaret Ann Halbur- August 29
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Margaret Ann Halbur, who died Friday, Aug. 29 at her Powell home. She was 63.
Father Pete Johnson will officiate at services. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.
She was born July 18, 1940, at Wagner, S.D. She married Marlowe E. Halbur on July 20, 1959, and together they raised five children.
She will be remembered by many for her volunteering services, humor and loving smile.
Most of her final years were spent enjoying her children and grandchildren while living in Powell.
Survivors include her husband Marlowe of Powell; their five children and their families, Renee and John Kurth of N. Richland Hills, Texas and their two children, David and Matthew; Mark and Linda Halbur of Powell and their three children, Zach, Andrew and Hannah; Paul and Jennifer Halbur of Cottage Grove, Minn., and their three children, Jonathan, Brianne and Noah; Ann and John Lindahl of Boulder, Colo., and their son, John Eric; and Ted and Amy Halbur of Lino Lakes, Minn., and their son, William.
She is also surved by her sister, Marian Orton and husband Don, and brother, Gerry Soukup and wife Bonnie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Charles Soukup; her sister, Mary; and her brother, Ernie.
Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 6 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home and from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Barbara's Church. Christian Wake Services will begin at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday morning at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Loretta M. Gilbert, 83, who died Friday, Aug. 29 at Powell Valley Care Center.
Father Peter Johnson officiated, and burial followed in Powell's Crown Hill Cemetery.
She was born Dec. 10, 1919, in Minot, N.D., to Edward C. and Margaret (Frost) Schaefer. She attended Afton Township School in North Dakota.
She married Harvey Gilbert in Minot, N.D., on Sept. 21, 1942. They farmed and made their home in Minot until 1952 when they moved to the Powell area and farmed on Ralston Bench. They moved into Powell in 1985.
She was a member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church, The Altar Rosary, Rock Club, Art Guild and was also a 4-H leader. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her rock jewelry, artwork, painted rocks and smiley faces.
Survivors include her husband, Harvey Gilbert, of Powell; sons Dwight Gilbert and his wife Dawn of Powell and Doug Gilbert of Moorcroft; daughters Diane Peterson, DeLaine Lamb and husband Curt, Dorene Gilbert and Deborah Karst, all of Powell; her brothers, Bernie Schaefer and wife Elaine of Minot, N.D., and Lawrence Schaefer and wife Lucille of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; her sister, Mary Kay Whitted and husband Glen of Minot, N.D.; her sisters-in-law, Evelyn Schaefer and Edna Schaefer; brother-in-law Dick Burnham; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son, Doyle Gilbert; her parents; a grandson, Mitchel Lamb; brothers Ted, Harold, Francis, Edward and Leonard Schaefer; sisters Eleanor Schaefer and Margaret Burnham; and son-in-law Richard Peterson.
Pallbearers at the funeral were Dusty Gilbert, Derek Gilbert, John Gilbert, Justin Schrage, Rusty Karst and Cody Karst. Honorary pallbearers were Claude Rivera, Dan Rivera, Desiree Wainscott, Travis Schrage, Scott Schrage, Monique Walls, (Mitchel Lamb), Heidi Tryne and Pepper Gonzales.
Should friends desire, memorials to the St. Barbara's Foundation, P.O. Box 818, Powell, WY 82435 or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home handled arrangements.