JANUARY 2001
Verne K. Stevens ~ January 2, 2001
John T. (Jack) Dixon ~ January 2, 2001
Robert J. Vawter ~ January 3, 2001
Myrtle Mary (May) White ~ January 4, 2001
Larry A. Litton ~ January 4, 2001
William (Bill) Zaharko ~ January 5, 2001
Mary Patricia Bolmeier ~ January 6, 2001
Lane W. Frazier ~ January 6, 2001
Tiny Dell Cole ~ January 8, 2001
Herbert R. Wojahn ~ January 16, 2001
Duane F. Wroe ~ January 18, 2001
Carma Jean (Spomer) Simon ~ January 19, 2001
Audrey F. Edgar ~ January 19, 2001
Lillian Wagner ~ January 21, 2001
Glenn H. Lancaster ~ January 21, 2001
Norma Dee Gillett ~ January 29, 2001
Funeral services are scheduled Friday at 10 a.m. at the Ballard Funeral Home in Cody for Verne K. Stevens, 90, who died Tuesday, Jan. 2 at the Powell Hospital of natural causes.
Mr. Stevens was born Oct. 26, 1910, in Chatfield, Minn. He left home in 1919 at the age of 19 to join the navy, but found work in Cody instead.
He met his future wife, Gay, in the Oregon Basin oilfield. They were married Aug. 12, 1930, in Cody. They enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, rock hunting and archery.
Mr. Stevens worked for Cody Gas Co. for 46 years, retiring in 1975. After retirement, they enjoyed several cruises and added to their already long list of friends.
He was a long-time member of the Cody Elks Lodge.
Survivors include a sister, Mary Bell and husband Norman; two nieces, Mary Lou Hurt and husband Lee and Marlene Ward and husband Dave; one nephew, Ned Dunn and wife Jeannie of Powell; and grand nephews Sean and Michael Dunn and grand niece Tiffanie May.
He was preceded in death by his wife Gay in July of 2000. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.
John T. (Jack) Dixon ~ January 2
Memorial Mass for former Powell resident John T. (Jack) Dixon, 74, was celebrated Monday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper, with the Rev. Carl Beavers as celebrant.
Mr. Dixon died Jan. 2 at his home in Westminster, Colo.
He was born Oct. 3, 1916, in Casper, the son of John Phillip Dixon and Mary Ellen (Morrow) Dixon.
He began his law practice in Casper in 1953 and moved to Powell to establish a private practice of law in 1956.
He was appointed as judge in the Fifth Judicial District in January, 1969, and served until retiring in June, 1988.
Mr. Dixon served in other capacities in city and county government, including one term as mayor Powell from 1960 to 1962. Additionally, he was administrative assistant to the mayor of Casper before moving to Powell, and he served as police judge in both Casper and Powell. He was deputy county attorney in Park County and served as a justice of the peace.
He was a member of numerous community organizations in Powell and served two consecutive terms as president of the Powell Chamber of Commerce in 1958-1959. He was active in Rotary, the Elks and the Republican Party. He was a Past Exalted Ruler of BPOE 2303 and was state vice president of the Elks.
He coached Powell's first Little League Baseball state championship team with his son, Pat, as a player on the team.
Survivors include a son, Pat Dixon of Casper; five daughters, Janet Flynn of Broomfield, Colo., Donna Dixon of Reston, Va., Shawn Sims of Powell, Terry Harley of Spokane, Wash., and Margaret Sato of Boise, Idaho; a brother, Michael Dixon, of Littleton, Colo.; nine nieces and nephews; and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William P. Dixon.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Metro Denver, 3399 S. Eagle St., Aurora, CO 80014; or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Burial of cremains was in Highland Cemetery, Casper.
Memorial services were held Tuesday at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody for former Powell resident Robert J. Vawter, 85, who died Wednesday, Jan. 3 in the West Park Hospital emergency room in Cody of pneumonia.
He was born prematurely on Oct. 31, 1915, near Meeteetse to A.O. and Edith M. Potts Vawter. The family moved to Powell in 1921, and Bob attended schools in Powell, graduating from Powell High School in 1933.
He worked at various jobs, including the Project Telephone Company until 1943. He servedin the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1945. Following his discharge, he went to work for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in Cheyenne. He was employed by the phone company in various capacities in different places for 31 years. He spent several years as a lineman in Yellowstone Park, then worked in Cody until his retirement.
He married Esther Williams Campbell on Dec. 18, 1959, in Cody. She died on Dec. 25, 1994. Following her death, he lived with a companion in the family home. He moved to West Park Long Term Care Center when his health worsened.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting and boating and the time spent at the cabin above Meeteetse. He enjoyed children, his family and friends.
Survivors include his twin sister, Ruth V. Moore of Powell, and sisters Mary V. Duggleby of Cody and Dorothy V. Reed of Bellingham, Wash.; six stepchildren, Bernard Campbell of Eau Claire, Wisc., James Campbell of Powell, Paul Campbell of Cody, Donna Lee Cody of Meeteetse, Barbara Lundvall of Cody and Ora Mae Gonzales of Gardnerville, Nev.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; a brother, A.L. (Mike) Vawter; two sisters, Marjorie V. Larsen and Rachel V. Gentle; and a stepson, William Campbell.
Those wishing to make memorial donations may do so to Cody Senior Center, 613 16th St., Cody, WY 82414.
Myrtle Mary (May) White ~ January 4
Funeral services were conducted in Gallup, N.M., on January 9 for Myrtle Mary (May) White, 99, who died Thursday, Jan. 4 at the Powell Nursing Home.
She was the mother of Minnie Cozzens of Powell.
Myrtle Mary Merrill White was born May 13, 1901, in Colonia Dublan, Mexico, to Thomas Allen Merrill and Mary Eliza (James) Merrill, the second of 10 children. The family moved to Ramah, N.M., from Mexico.
On Nov. 17, 1919, she married Richard Kennedy White in Gallup, N.M. They worked in Ramah for five years, then moved to Gallup and started The White Elephant Storage and Transfer business. In 1936, they bought the store and post office in Ft. Wingate, N.M. and were Indian traders for five years before buying a ranch at Ramah where they ranched until retirement.
She was a hard worker all her life and enjoyed many hobbies. She liked to sew, knit, crochert and quilt, sharing with her children and grandchildren. She spent many hours working at the Ramah, N.M., Cemetery. She kept busy up until a few months before her death.
She was buried in the Ramah Cemetery.
Former Powell resident Larry A. Litton, 63, died Thursday, Jan. 4 in Gainesville, Fla.
He was born April 14, 1937, in Powell. His parents were Arthur G. Litton and Velma Anderson Litton. In 1945, his stepfather and mother, Calvin and Velma Darling, adopted him. He was graduated from Powell High School in 1956. In November, 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years.
In August, 1958, he and Joanne Taylor were married in Pittsburg, Pa. Their four children were born in Wyoming. Joanne died in 1995.
In 1961, he began his career with Bell Telephone Co., and in April, 1999, he retired from Bell South. He married Janice Sulcer in St. Augustine, Fla., on Oct. 31, 1998. Survivors include his wife, Janice, of Holly Hill, Fla; his mother, Velma Darling of Powell; his four children, Laurie Szarmack and Kelly Colburn of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Michael Litton of Miami, Fla., and Joseph Litton of Pennsylvania; two sisters, Elieen Nicoll and husband Bruce of Kennewick, Wash., and Vickie Yale and husband Craig of Salt Lake City, Utah; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
No services are planned. Memorials may be made to the American Liver Foundation, Cedar Grove, NJ, or a charity of choice.
William (Bill) Zaharko ~ January 5
Memorial services will be conducted Friday at 1 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home in Powell for William (Bill) Zaharko, 92, of Powell, who died Friday, Jan. 5 in Lewistown, Mont.
He was born Nov. 4, 1908, in Yorkville, Ohio, the second of 12 children of Paul and Katherine Zaharko.
He made Powell his home in 1950.
In 1968, he married Rena Rogers in Moore, Mont. She preceded him in death.
Survivors include a son, Rodney Zaharko and wife Vonnie of Helena, Mont.; a daughter, Darlene Miner and husband Steve of Lewistown, Mont.; a brother, Jake Zaharko of Melstone, Mont.; a sister, Elizabeth Brewer of Roundup, Mont.; and several grandchildren.
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Burial of cremains will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Mary Patricia Bolmeier ~ January 6
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge, Mont., for Mary Patricia Bolmeier, 75, who died Saturday, Jan. 6 in San Francisco, Calif.
Rite of committal will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Mrs. Bolmeier was currently living in San Francisco and maintained homes in Palm Desert, Calif., and Red Lodge. The Bolmeier family had previously resided in Powell for a number of years.
Survivors include her daughters, Beth Ann Bolmeier of Conrad, Mont., and Nancy Bolmeier Fisher and husband, Ian, of San Francisco; and two grandsons, Michael Bolmeier and Ryan Fisher.
Pat spent her life committed to her family, friends and her church. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to St. Agnes Catholic Church, Box 1067, Red Lodge, MT 59068.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. today (Tuesday) at the LDS Church in Powell for Lane W. Frazier, 74, who died Saturday, Jan. 6 at home surrounded by his family, following a lengthy battle with diabetes.
He was born June 29, 1926, in Milford, Utah, the youngest of nine children of William P. and Jesse White Frazier. He married LaDawne Muncey on Sept. 14, 1947, in Milford.
Mr. Frazier served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945, stationed mostly in the South Pacific during World War II.
He worked for the Union Pacific Railfroad for about 20 years and moved to Powell in 1961 where he worked for his brother, Alvin, at Powell Ready Mix. Later he managed the batch plant until he retired in 1986.
He was a member of the LDS Church. He spent his spare time raising and training horses and building saddles. He enjoyed hunting and camping with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, LaDawne Frazier of Powell; and eight children, Jacquie Myers of Littleton, Colo., Janet and Levi Adams of Elko, Nev., Russell and Jaci Frazier of Anchorage, Alas., Elane and Martin Timmons of Powell, David Frazier of Sheridan, Susan Nielson of Missoula, Mont., Michael and Sherri Frazier and Bradley and Linda Frazier, both of Anchorage, Alas. He enjoyed his 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. His sister, Sarah and husband Ken, still reside in Milford. He has many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his siblings. He was loved by all and will be dearly missed.
Cremation has taken place. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Cody Dialysis Unit at West Park Hospital or the Valley Home Care.
Memorial services will be held for Audrey F. Edgar, at 11 a.m. Saturday (May 26) at Penrose Cemetery.
She was born Jan. 7, 1931 and died Jan. 19, 2001.
She was the niece of Harley and Marvel Anderson. She was preceded in death by sons Bill Park and Harry Edgar.
She is survived by husband Harry U. Edgar; children Eddie Park, Larry Edgar, Lenna Zickefoose and Vivian Solano; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are scheduled Friday at 1 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery for Tiny Dell Cole, 89, who died Monday, Jan. 8 at the Powell Nursing Home.
She was born Aug. 21, 1911, in Pocahontas, Okla., the daughter of James Allen and Dama Tuttle (Kelly) Allen.
She married Everett Cole on July 27, 1928, and they engaged in farming most of their married life. He died May 4, 1997.
For the past several years, she has lived at Rose City West in Lovell where she enjoyed many good friendships.
Survivors include one son, Everett Cole, Jr. of Powell; two brothers, Rupert Kelly of Nampa, Idaho, and Albert Kelly of Glena, Mo.; two sisters, Edna Wood and Pauline Graham, both of Cabool, Mo.; four grandchildren and four step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Herbert R. Wojahn ~ January 16
Memorial services were held Wednesday at Platte Valley Lutheran Church in Saratoga for a former Powell area homesteader, Herbert R. Wojahn, 78, who died Tuesday, Jan. 16 at Carbon County Memorial Hospital in Rawlins.
Mr. Wojahn was proud of his history as a homesteader in the Heart Mountain area in 1950. He was a veteran of World War II combat in Europe.
He was born July 17, 1922, in Beach, N.D., a son of Herman and Emma Wojahn. He married Ferrell Thomas in Aurora, Ill., on Dec. 2, 1945.
Since 1960, he had been a resident of Saratoga. He was a charter member of the Platte Valley Lutheran Church and was a member of the American Legion.
He owned the Gambles Store in Saratoga for 16 years and then had a Montgomery Ward catalog sales agency. From 1978-79, he was Wyoming District Governor of the Lions Club. In March, 2000, the International Association of Lions Clubs bestowed on him LIfe Membership.
Survivors include his wife Ferrell of Saratoga; three adopted children, Kathi Sorenson of Spring Creek, Nev., Sandra Rowland of Byhalia, Miss., and James Wojahn; two brothers and three sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to Platte Valley Lutheran Church, Box 385, Saratoga, WY 82331, or to the Saratoga Senior Center.
Memorial services for Duane F. Wroe, Powell's first full-time city administrator, were conducted Monday afternoon at Union Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wroe, 71, died early Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Powell Hospital.
The Rev. David Hunter officiated at the 4 p.m. memorial services. A reception followed in the Powell City Council chambers across the street.
Mr. Wroe was the first administrator hired after the city council reorganized the structure of city government in 1990. He served as full-time administrator from April of 1990 until his retirement in September of 1995. He returned as interim administrator from November of 1996 to February of 1997.
Mr. Wroe was born June 26, 1929, in Manley, Minn., the oldest of three children of Floyd W. and Inez O. (Egge) Wroe. He was raised in South Dakota, graduating from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D.
At the age of 17, he joined the Army Air Corps and flew in the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War as a figher pilot in the 190th fighter-bomber squadron. After his military service, he moved to southern California and attended college, majoring in public administration.
He worked as a police officer in Los Angeles and as a parks and recreation director and assistant city manager in southern California. His first city manager's job was in Placerville, Calif., where he met his future wife, JoAnne Reed. They were married on Nov. 5, 1965, in Placerville. They had four children, daughters Casey, Jenny and Amy and son Nels.
They moved to Wyoming in 1973 where he was the city manager in Jackson and Douglas before his tenure in Powell. The family also spent three years in Polson, Mont., operating a small business.
He was a past member of the Jaycees and Rotary, and held memberships in the professional organizations of Wyoming Spaces City Managers Association (a founding member) and International City Managers Association.
He will be remembered for his cutting wit and colorful use of the English language. He was a frequent contributor to the letters to the editor column in many newspapers with pointed observations.
He learned to value the great open spaces of Wyoming and was never afraid to speak in defense of the environment.
His family notes that he lived his life according to one of his favorite sayings, "Don't sit down; you ain't staying long."
Survivors include his wife JoAnne of Powell; one son, Nels A. Wroe and wife Teresa of Longmont, Colo.; three daughters, Casey J. Lee and husband Richard of Liberty Lake, Wash., Amy J. Bechtel and husband Steve of Lander, and Jenny O. Newton and husband J.W. of Laramie. Amy Bechtel has been missing since July of 1997 when she disappeared while running in the Wind River Mountains west of Lander.
Other survivors include two sisters, Delores Shanks and husband Harold, and Jeanne Abbott and husband Richard, both of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and two grandchildren. His parents preceded him in death.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Amy Wroe-Bechtel Recovery Fund, in care of Central Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 70, Lander, WY 82520 or to the Powell Hospice, 777 Avenue H, Powell.
Carma Jean (Spomer) Simon ~ January 19
Graveside services will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell for a former Powell resident, Carma Jean (Spomer) Simon, 64, who died Friday, Jan. 19 at the Powell Nursing Home.
Memorial services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Thermopolis, with Pastor John Christensen officiating.
She was born Nov. 10, 1936, at Kane, to Benhart Hei Spomer and Katharine (Miller) Spomer. She was a graduate of Powell High School in 1955 and then attended flight attendant training in San Francisco, Calif.
On April 26, 1958, she and David Clarence Simon were married in Powell. For over 40 years, they owned and operated Simon's Welding and Repair in Billings, Mont., and then in Thermopolis where they moved the business.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Thermopolis and active with the Lutheran Women Missionary League, St. Paul's Lutheran Prayer Group, ESA Sorority, The Lunch Bunch, Aide Association for Lutherans, the St. Paul's Building Committee and St. Paul's Choir.
Her hobbies included attending auction sales and having lunch at the stockyards, collecting snow-babies and sterling salt and pepper shakers, gardening, doing counted cross-stitch projects and bragging about her grandson. She was also a member of the Thermopolis Booster Club and was a valued volunteer for many organizations. Most recently, she completed courses at Central Wyoming College, maintaining an A grade point average.
Her special place was Virginia City, Mont., and she loved touring the mansions.
Survivors include her son, Benhart Joseph Simon of Thermopolis; daughter Staci Joy Gillilan and husband Andrew J. of Nightmute, Alas.; mother Katharine Spomer of Powell; brothers John Spomer and wife Diane and Dale Spomer and wife Joy, both of Powell, and Carl Spomer and wife Judi of Thermopolis; sisters Donna Menning and husband Clem of Powell and Brenda Ruckman and husband Bob of Henderson, Nev.; grandson Kane David J Gillilan of Nightmute, Alas., and sister-in-law Shirley Spomer of Atlanta, Ga.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David C. Simon in 1996; her father, Benhart Spomer in 1986 and a brother, Dan Spomer.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Northern Rockies Cancer Center at 1041 N. 29th, Billings, MT, the American Cancer Society, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Thermopolis or a charity of choice.
Graveside memorial servides will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Deaver Cemetery for Lillian Wagner, 89-year-old Powell resident who died at the Powell Hospital Sunday, Jan. 21.
Bishop Leroy Collins of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lovell Third Ward will officiate.
She was born March 28, 1911, in Fort Rice, S.D., to Lawrence and Mary King. She traveled with the family-owned carnival which is now the Meeker Shows out of Tacoma, Wash. She had many stories and experiences to tell the children as they grew up. In 1980, Meeker Shows was featured in the movie, "Bronco Billy," starring Clint Eastwood. She later moved to the family ranch near Penrose.
She married William Wagner in Billings, Mont., on Jan. 19, 1943. They moved to Lovell where they made their home. Three sons were born, Landal and Jurn and Joseph, who died at birth.
In 1993, she moved to the Powell Nursing Home to be with her husband after ill health made it impossible for her to care for him.
She was a devoted wife and good mother to her boys. She loved raising a big garden and canning for the family. She was proud of her big strawberry patch and also enjoyed needlework. Her greatest joy was making rag rugs, often in the shape of different animals.
Survivors include her two sons, Landal Wagner of Evanston and Jurn Wagner and wife Gayle of Worland; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, one sister and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Joseph; three brothers and three sisters. Memorials may be made to the Powell Nursing Home in care of Bryant Funeral Home, Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.
Glenn H. Lancaster ~ January 21
Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. today (Tuesday) at Olinger-Woods Chapel in Golden, Colo., for former Powell resident Glenn H. Lancaster, 81, who died Sunday, Jan. 21 in a Fort Collins, Colo., hospital.
Mr. Lancaster, former Elk Basin oilfield superintendent for Amoco in Powell, underwent heart surgery in Fort Collins on Nov. 29. He remained hospitalized in the intensive care unit there until his death on Jan. 21.
He was born Aug. 18, 1919, in O'Neill, Neb. He earned an engineering degree at Colorado Schools of Mines in Golden in 1941 and did post-graduate study at Yale University before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1942.
He served as a First Lieutenant during World War II, flying 35 missions and 410 combat hours in B-29s over Japan, Burma and Malaysia. He was shot down over Burma, bailed out and was subsequently rescued. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross with gold clusters.
Mr. Lancaster had a long and distinguished career with Amoco. He headed Amoco Powell operations in the 60s. He was a member of the Powell School Board from 1964 until his transfer from Powell in 1967.
After the death of his first wife, Dorothy, he married Margaret (Peg) Olson in Fort Collins on Feb. 24, 1996.
He was a member of the Meeker, Colo., AF&AM and Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his wife, Peg Lancaster of Golden; a step-daughter, Tana Stewart of Vail, Colo.; a brother, Donald Lancaster of Lakewood, Colo.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; and two daughters, Karen Lancaster Johnson and Glenda Lancaster Alleman. For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, or the Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation, 1024 S. Lemay, Ft. Collins, Colo. 80524, to benefit either the intensive care unit or the volunteer Pitkin Houses.
Cremation has taken place. Burial of remains will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Colo.
Norma Dee Gillett ~ January 29
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Cody for Norma Dee Gillett, who died Monday, Jan. 29 at her Cody home. She was 50.
The Rev. Mary Barbee officiated at services. Burial followed Wednesday afternoon at Monument Hill Cemetery in Thermopolis.
She was born Norma Dee VanPetten on Jan. 24, 1951, in Thermopolis, daughter of Matthew and Loyce (Loughlin) VanPetten. She was raised in Powell and attended Powell schools, graduating from Powell High School in 1969.
She married George E. Gillett on Oct. 4, 1969, in Powell. The couple has made Cody home for the last 21 years. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Survivors include her husband, George Gillett, of Cody; two daughters, Stephanie Eisenhauer and husband James of Sheridan and Teresa Gillett of Cody; a granddaughter, Megan, and a grandson, Matthew; her father, Matt VanPetten of Powell; and a brother, Thomas VanPetten of Portland, Ore.
She was preceded in death by her mother.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Optimist Foundation, c/o George Gillett, P.O. Box 728, Cody, WY 82414.