January 2008
Mary Ruth Blackburn- January 3, 2008
Richard G. (Dick) Borcher- January 4, 2008
Ruey “Opal” Johnson- January 5, 2008
Benjamin Brunko- January 7, 2008
Alcidene L. Trees- January 10, 2008
Ben Reifer- January 10, 2008
James Ruben White- January 13, 2008
Mignon “Minnie” Earhart- January 19, 2008
Frances V. (Francee) Farmer- January 21, 2008
Wanda L. Henrichs- January 22, 2008
Howard R. Sanders- January 23, 2008
David Anton Pollard- January 25, 2008
Michael Troy Broadway- January 26, 2008
James Thayer- January 27, 2008
Graveside services and burial were conducted Monday, Jan. 7 at Riverside Cemetery in Cody for Mary Ruth Blackburn, Heart Mountain homesteader, who died early Thursday, Jan. 3 at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody. She was 94.
She was born May 9, 1913, near Bazaar, Chase County, Kans., the youngest of five children of Seward H. and Josepha (Tinkham) Baker. Her schooling began at Baker School, a rural school near her home. She rode her pony, Queenie, to school each day. Mary attended Chase County High School in Cottonwood Falls, Kans., graduating in 1932.
Following her high school graduation, she married Chester A. Blackburn on May 25, 1932, in Cottonwood Falls. They were one month short of being together for 64 years when Chester died in 1996.
Three children were born to their union: Richard Arthur, Ruth and Jane Ellen.
After World War II, the Blackburn family moved to Wyoming, homesteading on the Heart Mountain Reclamation Project in 1947. Mary and Chester were active in the Heart Mountain community. Mary was instrumental in forming the Heart Mountain Extension Club and was a charter member. She was involved in the day-to-day activities on the farm and was always proud of her animals, enjoying the livestock and taking great delight in showing and working with her sheep.
Survivors include her daughters and their husbands, Ruth and George Pfaff of Las Vegas, Nev., and Jane and Charlie Chelberg of Powell; her grandchildren and their spouses, Nancy and Darrell Kessler of Lander, Richard and Sandi Pfaff of Gillette, Julie and Dan Groves, Kay Pomeroy, Steve and Julie Thompson and Jerry and Ruth Thompson, all of Powell, John and Becky Chelberg of Pollock Pines, Calif.; 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chester; son, Richard; two brothers and two sisters.
For those who wish, memorial donations to a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family. Ballard Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at the First United Methodist Church in Powell for Richard G. Borcher, 83, who died quietly Saturday, Dec. 29, at the Alzehimer’s Unit of the Powell Valley Care Center.
He was born Dec. 19, 1924, in Sidney, Neb., son of Theodore and Dorothy (Bales) Borcher. He moved to the Powell Valley at the age of 11 with his parents, who homesteaded on the Willwood Division of the Shoshone Reclamation Project.
About the same time, the Walters family also homesteaded on the Willwood, and the families were close neighbors. Verlee Walters became his childhood sweetheart.
Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946 during World War II. Richard married Verlee Walters March 9, 1946, in Billings, and their love story lasted through 56 beautiful years of marriage. She died in 2002.
The couple farmed on the North Willwood until about 1958 when Richard took a job with the Deaver-Frannie schools and moved the family to Deaver. They lived, worked and farmed there until their retirement in 1998, when they moved back to the Powell area.
Richard truly loved farming, raising registered Columbia sheep, his music and helping and watching over his children and grandchildren through their competitions and successes in life. He devoted his life to his God, his family and his work in that order.
Survivors include his children, Carol Addy of Big Water, Utah, Lynn Borcher and wife Kathy of Powell, Ken Borcher and wife Debbie of Powell, Gene Borcher and wife Rhonda of Powell and Kathy Nies and husband Jim of Gillette; his brothers, Ralph Borcher and wife Marlene of Powell, and Merlin Borcher and wife Elaine of Powell; and sister, Mildred Emery of Ralston; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine; and wife, Verlee.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Powell Valley Hospice at 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435 or to Alzheimer’s research.
Cremation has taken place. Thompson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Former Powell resident Ruey “Opal” Johnson died at her Prineville, Ore., home on Jan. 5. She was 86.
She was born in Powell on Dec. 1, 1921, to Albert Roy and Ruey Melba (Goodwin) Burns. She was raised and educated in Powell, graduating from Powell High School. She married Hershel H. Claudson in Red Lodge, Mont., on Aug. 24, 1943.
After the end of World War II, they farmed on Heart Mountain until her husband died in 1963.
Years later, she and a childhood friend, Albert Johnson, finding themselves alone, rekindled an old friendship and were married in Kinnear, Wyo., on Aug. 1, 1968. They moved to Prineville in May of 1969.
Opal was a member of the First Baptist Church, but in later years regularly attended Prineville Community Church with her family. She was active in the Christian ministry, playing the piano, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also involved in Child Evangelism and Christian Women’s Club.
Opal was a homemaker. She enjoyed growing and arranging flowers, listening to Gospel music, crocheting and spending time with her family.
Survivors include her husband, Albert E. Johnson Jr. of Prineville; sons, Rommie Claudson and wife Joyce of Cody, Garen Claudson of Prineville and Rick Claudson and wife Tina of Prineville; daughters, Claudean Green and husband Tom of Prineville and Beverly I. McKinnley and husband Steve of Soldotna, Alas.; 112 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, twin sons and her first husband.
Memorial contributions may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, Ponderosa Chapter, PO Box 737, Gilchrist, OR 97737.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 12 at the LDS Church in Burlington for Benjamin Neil Brunko, 20, who died Monday, Jan. 7 in Cody.
He was born in Cody, along with his twin brother, Jacob, on Oct. 16, 1987.
He will be remembered by family as a kind and sensitive person, always looking out for another’s interest. He was loved by a large family and many friends. His contagious smile and sense of humor lightened many anxious moments. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors incude his parents, Gary and Cathy Brunko, formerly of Burlington, now of Orem, Utah; brothers Dan (Marie) Brunko of Wyoming, Aaron (Brooke) Brunko of Utah and Jacob Brunko of Utah; sisters, Holly (Bryan) Mickelson of Nebraska, Krista (Brian) Seifert of Wyoming, Melanie (Justin) Partridge of Utah and Candace (Keenan) Clark of Wyoming; grandparents, Neil and Donna Stanger of Wyoming and Elaine Brunko of Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his grandpa, Willard Brunko, and sister, Amy Brunko.
Burial was in the Burlington Cemetery under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Joliet, Mont., Cemetery for Alcidene L. Trees of Basin, who died Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Wyoming Retirement Home. She was 93.
She had been a resident at Wyoming Retirement Home since 1998.
The Rev. Richard Trees will officiate at services and burial in Joliet.
She was born Dec. 5, 1914, to Earl Kenyon and Blanch (Kellogg) Kenyon in a one-room cabin built by her father north of Park City, Mont. She was 15 when she moved with her parents to Boyd, Mont. She graduated from high school in Joliet.
She married Dwayne Trees in 1932. They had three sons, Gene, Bill and Larry, and a niece, Ellen Kenyon, who lived with the family for 15 years. Alcidene moved with her family to Thermopolis in 1939 where her husband worked for Holland Furniture Co. They moved to Greybull a short time later and lived there until 1970 when Dwayne was transferred to Powell with Pure Gas & Chemical Co.
After Dwayne’s retirement in 1972, the couple traveled extensively, including two trips to the Holy Land and numerous trips throughout the United States and Mexico. They moved to Riverton in 1989 and then to Basin in 1998.
She enjoyed painting, reading and church work. She was an active member of First Baptist Church for many years.
Survivors include a son, Bill Trees of Kinnear; two grandsons, Roy Trees of Riverton and Rodney Trees of Cheyenne; four great-granddaughters; her niece, Ellen Kenyon of Thermpolis; a brother, Arche Kenyon of Joliet, and a sister, Mildred Boehm of Livingston, Mont.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwayne; two sons, Gene and Larry; her parents; two brothers, Leland and Lyle Kenyon; two sisters, Bernice Leimback and Buehla Warita.
Atwood Family Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
Ben Reifer
Ben Reifer, a native Montana son who lived for a time in Powell, died Thursday, Jan. 10. He was 78.
He was born to Matt and Regina Reifer in Sumatra on Feb 10, 1929. Ben received his early schooling in Jordan, Mont.. The family bought land and moved to Carbon County near Fromberg when Ben was 9 years old. He graduated from Fromberg High School in 1947 and married Edna Onken of Silesia in 1948.
Ben and Edna served a draft in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956. They were last stationed near Chicago. Ben had said that the thing he liked most about Chicago was leaving.
Ben spent the greater portion of his life farming, ranching and raising kids. Edna passed away in 1995.
Ben married Judy Syndergaard and they moved to Powell in 1998. He called Wyoming the “lucky” state — lucky to be close to Montana. Ben and Judy provided care for foster children, raised garlic, trucked garden vegetables and Dorper sheep. Judy passed away in 2006.
Ben relocated to the Fromberg/Bridger area in 2007 and was happy to be back in Montana.
Ben is survived by the seven children that he had together with Edna, Malinda Reifer of Wichita, Kan., Joreen (Scott) Mills of Denver, Jake (Penny) Reifer of Baker, La., Karl Reifer of Wichita, Kim Reifer of Powell, Joe Reifer of Oswatamie, Kan., and Mj Reifer of Powell; a half-brother, Joseph Fielder of Tempe, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Amanda Scharen, Benjamin McMurray, SKelly, (Kevin) Adkins, Sonya (Chad) Miller, Danny Reifer, Jeremy Reifer and Nicki Jo Jimenez, and six great-grandchildren, John and Morgan Miller, James and Dianna McMurray, Leilani Erice and Tucker Adkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives, Edna and Judy; his brothers, Kent and Raymond, and his sisters, Jaunita and Margie.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 16 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bridger with burial in Gebo Cemetery at Fromberg.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 305 Pryor Ave, Bridger, MT 59014.
James Ruben White, 94, died Sunday, Jan. 13 at his home in Lovell.
He was born Oct. 16, 1913, in Romance, Ark., the ninth of 12 children born to James Thomas and Ruthie Ellen (Baldwin) White.
Ruben married Helen Ann Threet July 6, 1941, in Red Lodge, Mont. Born to this marriage were three children: Ruthann (Jim) Holzer, James R. White Jr. and Jerry (Peggy) White.
Survivors include his wife, Helen, and children Ruthann (Jim) Holzer and Jerry (Peggy) White, all of Lovell; six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James R. White Jr.; great-granddaughter Amy Louise Florez; eight sisters and one brother.
Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at Haskell’s Funeral Home in Lovell. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. at the LDS Church in Lovell. Burial will be in the Lovell Cemetery.
Mignon “Minnie” Earhart, 95, of Powell, died Saturday, Jan. 19 at Powell Valley Care Center.
She was born Mignon Marie Murphy in Wapato, Wash., on June 30, 1912, to Miles Edward Murphy and Jessie Alberta Garling Murphy.
The family moved to the Shoshone Reclamation Project in 1916 where they homesteaded. Minnie attended the Lateral “A” school and then Powell
schools, graduating from high school in 1931.
She met Roland J. Earhart while working in a local law office. They were married on July 16, 1936.
Roland and Minnie homesteaded on the Willwood Division of the Shoshone Project and made their home on the farm. They raised four sons: Darrell, Neil, Larry and Dennis. They enjoyed watching their family grow.
They were faithful members of the Union Presbyterian Church and participated in the life of the church.
Music was always an important part of Minnie's life. She sang in the church choir, the community choir and provided music for many weddings and other services in the church and community.
Minnie belonged to the Willwood Women's Club and the Rebekahs. Cooking, sewing, gardening and her flowers were a large part of her life.
Minnie and Roland enjoyed many family vacations and trips to Yellowstone. In their retirement years they enjoyed RV-ing with the Polecat Ramblers, and they traveled to Hawaii, Australia, and Europe.
Survivors include her four sons and their spouses, Darrell (Freda) Earhart of Philadelphia, Pa.; Neil (Bonnie) Earhart of Powell; Larry (Sharon) Earhart of Powell; and Dennis (Shaun) Earhart of Henderson, Nev. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; her five brothers, Elson, Nelvel, Raymond, Gerald, and Harold; and her husband, Roland.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Union Presbyterian Church in Powell. Visitation is at 9 a.m. prior to the service at the Thompson Funeral Home.
Minnie will be buried in the family plot at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Memorial gifts to the Union Presbyterian Church or to a charity of choice in Minnie's name would be appreciated by the family.
Long-time Powell resident Frances V. (Francee) Farmer, 75, died Monday, Jan. 21 in Billings, Mont.
Ron Lytle and Megan Woods will preside at funeral services Friday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Francee was born Sept. 5, 1932, in Worland, to Glendon and Vivian (Hayes) Laird. She was educated in the Worland schools and attended Stephens College in Missouri and the University of Wyoming.
She married Jacques Maggard on Feb. 14, 1951, in Worland. They made their home in Powell in the mid-1950’s. After his death, she married Harold Farmer in Santa Maria, Calif., on June 3, 1975.
She was a homemaker, a member of PEO Sisterhood and Powell Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church Vestry.
Playing bridge was a special hobby, and she treasured her bridge club friendships.
Survivors include sons, Jay Maggard (Christie) and grandchildren Kellen and Ali of Seattle, Wash., Phil Maggard (Janice) and grandchildren Deacon and Dixon of Cheyenne and Mark Farmer of Pittsburg, Kans.; daughters, Cindy Fulton (Pidge) and grandchildren Nick and Beau of Powell, Renee Thomas (Steve) and grandchildren Anna and Isaac of Presho, S.D., and Rachelle Wright (Scott) and grandchildren Shawn and Raelle of Cody; and her sister, Eloise Shaw of Worland.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jacques Maggard and Harold Farmer; her brother, Lee Laird; and her sister, Margie Pisto.
Pallbearers at the funeral will be grandchildren Kellen Maggard, Ali Maggard, Deacon Maggard, Dixon Maggard, Nick Fulton and Beau Fulton.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Harold Farmer Memorial Scholarship, in care of the Northwest College Foundation, or the Powell Valley Hospital Volunteer Services at Powell Valley Hospital.
Services are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Deaver Town Hall at 10 a.m. for Wanda L. Henrichs, 61, who died early Tuesday, Jan. 22 at her home in Deaver.
Pastor Roger Slack will officiate at services. Burial will be in the Deaver Cemetery.
Her 13-year battle with cancer was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Wanda was born April 20, 1946, at Lovell, daughter of Edwin Beall and Rose Dukehart. She was educated in the Deaver-Frannie schools.
She married Darrell L. Henrichs on Dec. 29, 1970, at Lander. Deaver was her home for virtually all of her life, though she and Darrell spent recent summers at the Big Horn Basin Boat Club west of Cody.
Wanda loved being a waitress. She operated the Trailways Cafe at Deaver from 1986-1995 and later worked at the Skyline Cafe in Powell and took great pride in being a great waitress.
She was also a homemaker, school custodian and school cook. She was an avid collector of glassware. She loved to travel with her husband of 37 years and to spend time with her grandchildren.
Wanda was a member of the Garland Church of God, the Big Horn Basin Boat Club of Cody and the Good Sam’s Club.
Survivors include her husband, Darrell L. Henrichs of Deaver; sons and daughters-in-law, Shawn R. Henrichs of Tom’s River, N.J., Darren J. Henrichs (Angela) of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Chris Pendergraft (Jill) of Riverton; daughter, Kim M. Henrichs of Stanfordville, N.Y.; brothers, Robert (Kay) Beall of Cody and Larry (Debbie) Beall of Deaver; sister, Beverly Beall of Edgerton, Wyo,; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Pallbearers at the funeral will be Gary James, Floyd Derry, Denis Brothers, Charles Fletcher, Larry Ostermiller and Charlie Chelberg. Honorary pallbearer is Frazier Moore of Greeley, Colo.
Thompson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Former Powell resident Howard R. Sanders died Wednesday, Jan. 23 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Wash., following a long illness. He was 79.
He was born in Broadwater, Neb., on March 2, 1928. When he was 5, his family moved to Wyoming, settling in the Whistle Creek community southeast of Powell. The family then moved south and followed seasonal employment.
On the night of his 17th birthday, Howard enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Philippines for two years.
He married Evangeline (Vangie) Schmidt in Lovell on June 23, 1948. To that union were born six children. Howard and Vangie lived in Powell for 37 years before moving to Camano Island, Wash., where they have resided for the past 23 years.
Howard worked in the oil fields most of his life, many of those years as an independent welding contractor. While in Powell, Howard was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church. In Washington, Howard was a member of Camano Lutheran Church. Howard was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed boating and spending time in the mountains. He loved to help people, and his devotion to the Lord was evident to the end.
Howard is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Evangeline, of Camano Island, Wash.; two sons, Howard (Ann) Sanders of Powell, and Eldon (Cat) Sanders of Ralston; four daughters, Mary (Fran) Vande Veegaete and Jan (Terry) Cronin of Powell, Jeanette (Tony) Reed of Seattle, Wash., and Judy (Earl) Otto of Sierra Madre, Calif.; 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorothy and Shirley. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, and one grandson.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be conducted in Powell at a later date. Memorials may be given to Camano Lutheran Church, 850 N. Heichel Road, Camano Island, WA 98282.
David Anton Pollard, 74, executive director of the Powell Medical Foundation, died Friday, Jan. 25 at the Powell Valley Hospital.
He was born April 16, 1933, in Schuyler, Neb. He had been a resident of Powell since 2003 when he came to work as the lead fundraiser for the medical foundation.
During his time in Powell, he participated in and helped to organize several community projects, including the Gihon Project, an interdenominational charity in which parishoners donated money to assist with medical expenses for those in financial need. He also assisted with the establishment of the free medical clinic which is coming into being in Powell.
Before moving to Wyoming, David dedicated most of his life to working for the Catholic Church. An ordained Franciscan priest, he took leave of the priesthood and worked for many years as the director of Catholic Charities and as a lobbyist for the Catholic Bishops of California.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann of Powell; his children, John Pollard of Quebec, Canada, and Rachel Pollard of Waukeshaw, Wisc.; his sister, Leona, and brothers, Jack, Ron and Tony.
Vigil will be Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., with funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church. A reception will follow. Thompson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Michael Troy Broadway died peacefully at his Powell home Saturday, Jan. 26. He was 43.
He was born in Casper June 8, 1964, to Barbara Broadway and the late Ronald Broadway of Powell. Mike and his family lived in Phoenix, Ariz., for 16 years where he was a department manager for Dillards Department Store. They moved to Powell in 2001 to be close to his parents.
Mike was injured on the job with Prime Power in August of 2003 and has been disabled since then. He lived with a great deal of pain, but was a man with a unique personality and everyone who knew him, grew to love him. His family will remember him as a hard working man, who always had time for his sons, playing basketball or just hanging out.
He is survived by his sons, Troy Ray Broadway and David Joseph Broadway of Powell; a lovely grandson, Aaron Ray Broadway of Powell; his mother, Barbara Broadway of Powell; two brothers, Ricky Dean Broadway (Linda) of Byron and Ronnie Joe Broadway of Powell; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mike was a very loving person, and his family was his life.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ron Broadway, in December of 2004.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
For those who wish, memorials to help the family with expenses would be appreciated in Mike’s name in care of Thompson Funeral Home at P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.
James Thayer, 49, formerly of Powell, died instantly Sunday, Jan. 27 in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the result of injuries when he was struck in a pedestrian crosswalk by a passing pickup truck.
He was born Nov. 13, 1958, in Billings, Mont., the eldest son of Ronald and Ella Thayer of Roundup, Mont. He grew up in Powell and graduated from Powell High School in 1977. He earned an A.A. degree from Northwest College and attended the University of Wyoming.
After his schooling, Jim worked in oil exploration and the oilfield contracting business. Most recently, he was employed as a laboratory chemist and a housing contractor.
His family will remember him for his great sense of humor and for various personal talents, including his skill as an actor. He made a lasting impression on people who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his daughter, Jennifer of Grantsville, Utah; his mother, Ella Dillon of Powell; his brothers, Ron Thayer (Kelly) of South Jordan, Utah, Rod Thayer (Toni) of Boise, Idaho, and Todd Thayer of Powell; stepbrothers, Dan (Teri) Dillon of Billings, Tom (Gina) Dillon of Bullhead City, Ariz., and James Dillon of Tucson, Ariz.; and stepsisters, Judy (Mitch) Williams of Powell and Ginny (Mark) Ude of Mountain Home, Idaho.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Billings, 925 South 27th St. He will be interred at the Ballantine, Mont., Cemetery at a later date.