Anna Mary Grooms ~ Feb. 2, 2005
Willard L. Lindsay ~ Feb. 4, 2005
Ruth Bassett Bryant ~ Feb. 5, 2005
Ruth M Wenger ~ Feb. 7, 2005
Raye Fred Marsh ~ Feb. 12, 2005
Dorothy Eleanor Johnson ~ Feb. 12, 2005
Deanna Jacqueline Strecker ~ Feb. 15, 2005
Frederick W. Zier, Sr. ~ Feb. 16, 2005
Amelia June Ries ~ Feb. 17, 2005
Hiram H. Beaver ~ Feb. 20, 2005
Robert C. Kimmett ~ Feb. 22, 2005
Clifford (Jack) Sanders ~ Feb. 25, 2005
Anna Mary Grooms, 93, of Billings, Mont., died Wednesday,
Feb. 2, surrounded by her Friends in Christian fellowship. Formerly Anna Mary
Phelps, she grew up near Cody, living at the family homestead on Monument Hill,
and also near lower Sage Creek. After attending Billings Business College,
she moved to a ranch on the Southfork.
Anna gave all she had to give to everyone around her and lived a life of devotion
to God and the gospel. Many people, including family, friends, and acquaintances
were moved by her kindness and compassion in life, and will mourn her death
as they honor her passing.
She is survived by her son, Lynn David Grooms; her daughters, Anna Gail Bloom
and Kyna Libbie Weaver; her grandchildren, Thane Grooms, Troy Grooms, Tye Grooms,
Todd Grooms, John Connett, Sharyl Clapp, Blywyn Weaver, and Dayne Weaver; and
her great-grandchildren, Brandon Grooms, Ashley Grooms, Katie Grooms, Skieler
Grooms, Trever Grooms, Hanna Connett, and Loren Connett.
A service will be held Monday, March 7 at 10 a.m. in the Smith Downtown Chapel,
120 N. 26th Street, in Billings, immediately followed by a luncheon in Billings
and a 3 p.m. graveside service in Cody.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m.
at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home for Willard LeRoy Lindsay, 63, who died Monday,
Jan. 31 at Powell Valley Care Center.
Visitation will be today (Thursday) from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
He was born Sept. 25, 1941, at Powell, son of James W. and Verna (Chamberlain)
Lindsay. He graduated from Byron High School in 1960.
He served two tours in the U.S. Navy and later lived in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He was a member of the LDS Church and the American Legion.
He was fond of bowling, pitching horseshoes and gardening
Survivors include a son, William B. Lindsay of Salt Lake City; two sisters,
Virginia (Neil) Madsen in California and Georgena (Ervin) Andrews of Powell.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister, James T. and Vernon
H. Lindsay and Darlene Lindsay.
Pallbearers at the funeral will be Tom Langton, John Patrick, Ray Exley, James
Krei, Elden Sanders and Andrew Krei.
Burial will be in the Byron Cemetery.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 5 at 11
a.m. at the Lovell LDS Church for Ruth Bassett Bryant, 52, who died peacefully
in her sleep at her home in Lovell on Saturday, Jan. 29.
She was born in Powell on Dec. 31, 1952, the fifth of seven children of Fred
and Barbara Bassett. She lived in Lovell on a small farm until she graduated
from Lovell High School in 1971. Then she moved to San Diego, Calif., and met
the love of her life, Donald, a Seabee in the United States Navy.
They had their oldest daughter, Solatare, while they were living in San Diego.
After Donald was honorably discharged in 1976, they moved back to Lovell where
they had their second daughter, Aurora. They wanted to live in Lovell which
they felt was a nice town to raise their children.
Although her life on this earth was short, it was fulfilling. She was extensively
involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having many church
callings. She loved living in Wyoming with its abundant wildlife. She loved
the Big Horn Mountains and Yellowstone Park, always looking for "floras
and faunas."
She pressed and dried many flowers and leaves, hoping to make cards and flower
arrangements for her family and friends. Just about every year, when she felt
well enough, she joined her father, Fred, and her sister, Donella, on the National
Bald Eagle survey. She did many crafts. She made cards with her extensive stamp
collection. She crocheted occasionally, and she did manay beaded crafts, including
necklaces and bracelets. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren,
letting them work with her on any of her craft projects.
Survivors include her husband, Donald R. Bryant of Lovell; their daughters
and families, Solatare and James Kerwin and their son Pryor of Powell, and
Aurora and Daniel Owens and their children, Audrya, Abigayle, Donovan and Angylena
of Vernonia, Ore.; her father, Fred T. Bassett of Lovell; and her siblings,
Irene Swensen and husband Robert in Utah, Fred C. Bassett and wife Louise in
Texas, Donella Pease and husband Michael of Powell, Bruce C. Bassett and wife
Marie in Utah, Jason C. Bassett and wife Della in Washington and Carlos C.
Bassett and wife Connie in Laramie. She also leaves behind many close friends
who will miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara C. Bassett; two nieces, Jennifer
Rikke Swensen and Elaine Bassett; and a nephew, Randal Swensen. She was also
preceded in death by her best friend, Sue Walker, who was loved and missed
deeply.
The viewing will be Friday, Feb. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Haskell Funeral Home
in Lovell. After Saturday services, burial will be in the Lovell Cemetery.
An account has been set up at Lovell First National Bank & Trust, in care
of the Ruth Bryant Memorial Fund, for those who want to help Don and girls
with expenses.
Ruth M. Wenger, 97, of Owatonna, Minn., died Monday Feb.
at Cedarview Care Center.
She was born July 29, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa, the daughter of Lloyd and Ada
(Easter) McCorkle. She attended Maple Grove country school in Madison County,
Iowa as a child and graduated from high school in De Soto, Iowa in 1924. She
entered Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) at Cedar
Falls, earning a two-year teaching certificate. Needing more money for college
expenses, she taught for two years at Kelly, Iowa, and returned to Cedar Falls
in 1929. She completed her music education degree in 1931 by correspondence
and summer school while teaching full time at Bedford, Iowa.
She met Harry Wenger playing cornet duets in a summer school ensemble class,
and they were married Aug. 27, 1932. They taught music in Le Mars, Iowa until
1936 when they moved to Owatonna where Harry had accepted the job as music
director of the Owatonna Public Schools. She continued to assist with private
instrumental lessons as needed. They were forever grateful that they were able
to find jobs during the depression and dust bowl years. Ruth taught band for
three years in Claremont, Minn., and from 1946 to 1954 she taught all levels
of music at Medford, Minn.
Ruth began doing Christmas parties for Wenger Company employees and their families
in 1953 in their home, cooking the dinner and buying gifts for everyone. As
the company grew and the parties moved to larger quarters she continued to
plan the menus and personally picked the gifts for all the children, often
with the help of her own grandchildren. Ruth enjoyed writing, publishing a
book "My Dear Grandchildren "in 1982, a cookbook "Cooking At
Grandma's House "in 1989, a collection of her newspaper columns for the
Owatonna People's Press, "Reflections By Ruth" in 2001, and "Tales
Of A Long Ago Childhood" for her great grandchildren in 2003.
She was an active member of United Methodist Women, serving several years as
president of Southeast Minnesota Women's Society Of Christian Service. She
was a member of 19th Century Club and a charter member of the Woman's Club
of Owaotnna and the Owatonna Arts Center. In 1999 she was honored to be named
Owatonna's "Woman Of The Century" by Business and Professional Women
Of Owatonna.
Ruth wrote in her book, "My home is my castle, and I am happy there cooking,
tending my flower garden, or stretched out in the afternoon reading books,
books, and more books." She attributed her long life to faith, hope, love
and a two-mile walk every morning. Her family will cherish the memory of her
adventurous spirit.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Dr. Roger) Benjamin of Owatonna; her
son Jerry (Sonja) Wenger of Powell; eight grandchildren, Brent Benjamin of
St. Louis, Mo, Brian Benjamin of Eagan, Ann Benjamin of Eagan, Todd Benjamin
of Saratoga, Calif, Jeff (Ann Hobbie) Benjamin of St. Paul, Kari Wenger of
Ely, Kirsten (Ronald) Johnson of Stillwater and Wendy Wenger of Wayzata; six
great-grandchildren, Henry and William Benjamin of St. Paul and Hanna, Inga,
Ada and Lars Johnson of Stillwater; and one brother, Paul McCorkle of Sac City,
Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harry; her parents, Lloyd and Ada
McCorkle; and one brother, Hugh McCorkle. Visitation will be held at Michaelson
Funeral Home on Friday from 3-7 p.m. and on Saturday at United Methodist Church
from 12-1 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. at
United Methodist Church in Owatonna. The Reverend Pat Hinker will be officiating.
For those who wish, theamily would appreciate memorials to the Owatonna Public
Library, the Owatonna High School Museum Project or the United Methodist Church
Choir.
Dorothy Eleanor Johnson - Feb. 12
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today (Thursday)
at the LDS Church in Burlington for Dorothy Eleanor (Oxley) Johnson, 85, who
died Saturday, Feb. 12 of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident southeast
of Powell.
She was born Jan. 30, 1920, in Gilmore City, Iowa, the eldest of eight children
born to Millard and Clara Gaffron. At an early age, she moved with her family
to Decatur, Ill., where she grew up and graduated from high school.
She married John L. Oxley on Feb. 26, 1938. They had four daughters, Delores,
Dorothy, Joyce and Kay.
Eleanor was a devoted wife and mother, a homemaker and a professional seamstress.
After their four daughters left home, John and Eleanor made their permanent
residence in Billings, Mont., until his death in 1968.
A few years later, Eleanor gained a second family when she married long-time
family friend, George Johnson. They made their home in Burlington.
One of the high points of Eleanor's life was when she and George were sealed
in the LDS Temple in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Throughout her life, she found happiness,
not only in friends and family, but in her activities at church.
She also enjoyed her flower gardens, making quilts for her great-grandchildren
and knitting beautiful afghans for adult family members and friends. She showed
her love for those she cared about in many ways.
Survivors include her husband, George Johnson of Burlington; three daughters,
12 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and numerous members of her blended
family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; her sister, Geraldine;
and her daughter, Kay.
Raye Fred Marsh, 58, longtime Cody resident and businessman,
died Saturday, Feb. 12 at Fitzgerald Veterans Hospital in Denver, Colo. Raye
was born Jan. 12, 1947, in Trinidad, Colo., son of Ralph and Lois Marsh. The
family moved to Cody when Ralph was transferred to work on the Buffalo Bill
Dam in 1960. Raye graduated from Cody High School in 1965, and continued his
education at Northwest College in Powell. He was proud to serve his country
in the Navy in Vietnam. Upon returning, he fulfilled his dream of owning and
successfully running his own business Raye's Plumbing and Heating. He
was passionate about hunting, fishing and his bird dogs and went hunting and
fishing with them whenever he could. He will be missed by all. He was preceded
in death by his parents Ralph and Lois Marsh.
Survivors include his siblings, Lucille Marsh of Blackhawk, S.D., Linda Marsh
of Billings, Mont., Ralph Marsh of Cody, Leah (Melvin) Andren of Kim, Colo.,
and John (Judy) Marsh of Cody. He also leaves seven nieces and nephews, as
well as six great-grandnieces and nephews.
Raye's life will be remembered and celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23,
at the VFW Hall in Cody, 808 12th St. Come as you are and share in a service,
lunch and wake. For those who wish, donations to the VFW or West Park Long
Term Care Center would be appreciated by the family.
Deanna Jacqueline (Winterholler) Strecker - Feb. 15
Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 15 at St. John's Episcopal
Church in Lovell for Deanna Jacqueline Winterholler Strecker, 67, who died
Friday, Feb. 11 at her home in Lovell, surrounded by family.
She was born Nov. 20, 1937, in Worland, daughter of Albert and Mollie Osborn.
She married Edwin Winterholler June 30, 1956. He died in 1979.
She then married Chuck Strecker in 1987. He died in 2001.
Survivors include four children, Susan Madsen and Mike Kelly of Colorado Springs,
Colo., Gene Winterholler and Linda Novack of Powell, Karen Hytreck and Charlie
Loman of Byron and Danny and Ida Winterholler of Bozeman, Mont.; three step-children,
Dean and Jan Strecker of San Diego, Calif., Kathy Magstad and Mike of Missoula,
Mont., and Cindie Berg of Polson, Mont.; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She loved to embroider and collect baby dolls, elephants, Tweetys and angels.
She also loved bird watching and being with family and friends.
Burial was in the Lovell Cemetery.
Frederick Walter Zier - Feb. 16
Funeral services were held Monday at Ballard Funeral Home
in Cody for Frederick Walter Zier, 73, Deaver, who died Wednesday, Feb. 16
surrounded by loves ones at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, of complicatons
from a blood clot in the brain.
He was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Bridger, Mont., to German-Russian immigrants,
Katherine Margaret Reichert and Heinrich Zier. He grew up and attended schools
there.
Fred worked as a driller in the oil fields and then moved to New Mexico, where
he married Dorthy Christine Davis on Aug. 11, 1951, in Aztec, N.M. For the
next eight years, his work took them to North Dakota in the towns of Williston,
Ray, New Town, Tioga and Kildeer, and then to East Glacier, Mont.
In 1960, the family moved to Powell, and they lived in several surrounding
communities before settling permanently in Deaver. In Powell, he bought and
ran the Standard Service Station, followed by a new career as a car salesman
that became his niche. He started at O.K. Chevrolet and then worked many years
for Whitlock Volkswagen.
This led to his love for buying and selling cars and car parts, which prompted
him to start his own auto salvage business at Deaver. He loved to buy and sell
just about anything. He was hard working and never idled.
In later years, he attended Garland Community Church of God. He was also involved
in the Men's Christian Breakfast Organization. In the last 14 years, he was
a dedicated Gideon, distributing Bibles, giving service and sharing his love
of the Saviour. This provided him much joy and satisfaction. One of the highlights
of his life was a Gideon extension action service mission to Venezuela. He
led an active life to the end.
Survivors include his children, Sharon (Dennis) Reilly of Idaho Falls, Idaho,
Freddie (Joanie) Zier of Deaver and Jermy (Naomi) Zier of Billings, Mont.;
seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his
brothers, George Zier of Topack, Ariz., Dan (Jean) Zier of Deaver and Dick
Zier of Billings, Mont.; his sisters, Kay (Frank) Lazard of Sparks, Nev., Louise
Sekora of Billings, Clare (Al) Marchesani of Lavellette, N.J., Lydia (Conrad)
Kercher of Laramie; Ala Zier of Warren, Ohio, Dorothy Strickland of Casper;
Lillian Wood of Burbank, Calif., and Eva (Bubbles) Pickett of Casper.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 46 years, Dorthy, in 1998;
and his sister, Lizzie Bird.
Burial was in the Deaver Cemetery.
The family woulld like to thank the Gideons and the Garland Chruch of God and
many others for their support and assistance. For those who wish, contributions
can be made to Gideons International, Heart Mountain Camp, P.O. Box 642, Cody,
WY 82414.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb.
24 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Powell for Amelia June Ries, 86, who died
Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Powell Nursing Home.
Pastor Brett Balfour will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday.
She was born in Shepherd/Billings, Mont., on June 9, 1918, to William and Elizabeth
(Michael) Lehman. She grew up in the Belfry-Bridger region of Montana and graduated
from high school in Bridger in 1935. After high school, she worked for a year
as a nanny, then worked in the Golden Rule Store in Bridger until her marriage
to Joe E. Ries on May 2, 1942.
She moved to Powell and worked with her husband on their farm for the next
50 years. She also worked as a cook in the Powell Public Schools for several
years before retiring. She enjoyed family gatherings, gardening and canning
and was an excellent cook.
Amelia was baptized June 23, 1918, in the German Congregational Lutheran Church
in Billings. She was confirmed May 27, 1934, in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Bridger. She continued her life-long membership in Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Missouri Synod, Powell, where she belonged to the Ladies Aid Society
and taught Sunday School for many years.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Joseph E. Ries of Powell; a son,
Ronald Ries and wife Ann of Cody; a daughter, Betty Beaver and husband Michael
of Laramie; one granddaughter, Lori Beaver of Aurora, Colo.; and three grandsons,
David Beaver and wife Colleen of Newark, Del., Ryan Ries and wife Leanne of
Wadena, Minn., and Rod Ries of Lakewood, Colo.; three great-grandchildren,
Isaac Ries, Emma Ries and Zachary Beaver; one sister, Marie Pfeiffer of Windsor,
Colo., and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Sophie, Hermina, Jenny and
Minnie; and brothers Bill, Henry and August.
A small lunch will be served at Immanuel Lutheran following interment. For
those who wish, memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 223 E. 5th St., Powell,
WY 82435, or the Powell Senior Center, 248 N. Gilbert St., Powell, WY 82435
would be appreciated by the family.
Memorial services will be Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
at the Deaver Methodist Church for long-time Deaver resident Hiram H. Beaver,
91, who died Sunday, Feb. 20 at New Horizons Care Center in Lovell after a
short illness of cancer.
He was born Dec. 24, 1913, in Agee, Nebr., youngest of three children of Ernest
M. and Juliette E. Beaver. In 1918, he moved with his family to Deaver.
He attended schools in Deaver and went on to the University of Wyoming where
he met his first wife, Ruth E. Collins of Powell. They were married in October,
1933. They were blessed with two children, Ruth Marilyn and Gerald Hiram.
He began his life on the farm three miles west of Deaver in 1934 and continued
to farm until 1970. After Ruth's death in 1971, he sold the farm and moved
into Deaver. In 1972, he went to work for Great Western Sugar Co., retiring
in 1979.
In March, 1978, he married Lucille Brooks of Lovell, a schoolmate for all 12
years in Deaver.
After their marriage, Hiram went to work for S.E., Inc. of Deaver. He and Lucille
traveled on the job for a few years and then continued to work for S.E., Inc.,
doing odd jobs until 1999 when he developed some health problems and again
retired.
Lucille and Hiram enjoyed many years of traveling with the Alpen Lite Travel
Club and Good Sam. After Lucille began to need more care than he could give
her at home, she moved to the assisted living in the New Horizons Care Center
Assisted Living. In the fall of 2003, he decided it was time to sell the house
and join Lucille at New Horizon Care Center.
He was active in area affairs, serving on the board of the Deaver Irrigation
District, the School District No. 30 board, Deaver Town Council and served
on the official board of the Deaver Methodist Church most of his adult life.
Survivors include his wife, Lucille of Lovell; his daughter, Marilyn (Gerald)
Freitag of Billings, Mont.; daughter-in-law, Shirley A. Beaver of Loveland,
Colo.; step-son Warren (Myra) Brooks of Eaton, Colo.; sister-in-law, Mrs. Eleanore
Beaver of Cheyenne; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great
grandson; and several nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ruth; his son, Gerald
H. Beaver; and his brother and sister.
Burial will follow Saturday services. For those who wish, the family would
appreciate memorials to the Deaver Methodist Church, c/o Molly Yates, Deaver,
WY 82421, or to a charity of choice.
A lifelong resident of Powell, Robert C. Kimmett, 90, died
Tuesday, Feb. 22 at his Powell home.
He was born April 13, 1914, in Powell to William Fredrick Kimmett and Ethel
Virginia (Barrett) Kimmett. He graduated from Powell High School and farmed
until his retirement.
He was a member of the Catholic Church and loved the outdoors and enjoyed traveling.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic
Church. Father Pete Johnson will officiate at services and burial in Crown
Hill Cemetery.
He is survived by a son (name withheld); a brother, Leo Kimmett; and a sister,
Virgie Alvey. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one
sister.
Clifford (Jack) Sanders - Feb. 25
Clifford (Jack) Sanders, formerly of Powell, died Friday,
Feb. 25 in Billings, Mont., at the age of 81.
He was born in Platteville, Colo., on July 11, 1923 to William M. and Mary
Elizabeth (White) Sanders. The family moved to Powell when he was 12 years
old. They settled on Whistle Creek. Jack received his first schooling in Byron.
He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served all his
time on the USS Lexington, better known as the Blue Ghost; they were 18 months
on the water. Jack was very proud of his service record.
He married Kathryn J. Rudquist on Jan. 7, 1952, in Anaconda, Mont.
He was a life member of the V.F.W. #5054 in Powell, the American Legion post
#44 in Worland, Worland Elks #208, and Eagles # 3096; He was the Wyoming State
Arie Father of the year in 2002-2003 and Wyoming State traveling ambassador.
His hobbies included darts, fishing, and playing pool.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Ruthetta; his parents; sisters May
Jackson, Dovie Wigham, Bertha Beerline and Mary Umberhower; and brothers Buford
and Andrew Sanders.
He is survived by his wife Kathryn of Billings; daughters, Clarice (Terry)
Hoffman of Billings, Jackie Niederkofler of Billings; son, Jack Sanders Jr.
and wife Mary of Belgrade, Mont.; sister Ruby (Johnny) Sinner of Billings;
five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 2 at 10 a.m. from the Bryant
Funeral Home Chapel in Worland. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Crown
Hill Cemetery in Powell, with the Powell Veteran's Honor Guard in charge of
military honors. Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, March
1 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.