JUNE 2002

Merle "Jake" Rimbey ~ June 4, 2002
Ellanora Margaret Jacobson ~ June 4, 2002
James Andreas Hart ~ June 4, 2002
Leona A. Schow ~ June 7, 2002
Richard "Dick" Hedderman ~ June 9, 2002
Robert Ambrose Nelson ~ June 10, 2002
Pauline Tunnel ~ June 14, 2002
Ruby Wilma Koonce Creamer ~ June 16, 2002
James M. Johnson ~ June 25, 2002
Christopher Alan Floyd ~ June 28, 2002
Martha Rebecca Fehlman ~ June 30, 2002
Reece Bradley Schleich ~ June 30, 2002

Merle "Jake" Rimbey ~ June 4, 2002

Merle "Jake" Rimbey, 89, died June 4 at Powell Hospital. He was born June 4, 1913 in Deerfield, Mo., the son of Oscar M. and Anne Lewis Rimbey.
Jake's family moved to Powell when he was 3-years-old. He grew up in Powell and attended schools here. Following graduation, he served in the Navy from 1934 to 1938 on submarine duty.
He married Irene May Malde on April 26, 1941 in Billings. The couple farmed in the Powell area until their retirement in 1964.
Following retirement, they moved to Cody until recently, when they returned to Powell. Even though Cody was considered their home base, they traveled extensively and worked at several places, including Lake Tahoe, Pahaska for four years, Squaw Valley and with the Heart Mountain Irrigation District for eight years.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing and guided for Roy Coleman and Bob Adams. Jake also enjoyed watching boxing and football. He was a life member of the Powell B.P.O.E. (Elks) and the Powell F.O.E. (Eagles).
He is survived by his wife, Irene, of Powell; a son and his wife, John and Nancy Rimbey; a granddaughter and her husband, Amy and Dave Tardiff; and two sisters, Thelma Churchill and Wilma Groen, both of Powell.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Dorothy Farmer, Doris Shaulis and Delores Rimbey.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place.
No services are planned.

Ellanora Margaret Jacobson ~ June 4, 2002

Ellanora Margaret Jacobson, 91, died June 4 at the Powell Nursing Home.
Mrs. Jacobson was born in Champion, Neb., July 8, 1910 to Bert and Eva Steck. The family moved to Powell in 1910. She graduated from Powell High School in 1929.
During the early 1930s, she sang and played piano for a radio station in Davenport, Iowa. For many years, she worked as a seamstress, specializing in men's clothing.
She married Kermit G. "Jake" Jacobson and while he served in World War II, she returned to Powell where she worked as a seamstress for Leo's Cleaners.
After the war, the family moved to California for several years before returning to Powell in 1947. They purchased the Ralston Store and Post Office which they owned for many years.
During their ownership of the store they made many friends among the Heart Mountain homesteaders and those friendships have continued through the years.
Mrs. Jacobson loved to sew, crochet, knit and share her creations with others. One of her creations was a 17-piece crocheted nativity set, which she made for many family members and friends.
She was a member of the Union Presbyterian Church in Powell, a charter member of the Powell Does Lodge, and she and Kermit were active in establishing Powell's Elk Lodge.
She loved music and was an accomplished pianist, spending many hours sharing her talent with family and friends. She was extremely proud of the musical talent displayed by her grandchildren. She loved sharing with others and was a devoted and loving friend.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna C. Redman of Laurel, Mont.; a brother, Dick W. Steck of Cody; two sisters, Donna Irestone and Collette Gimmeson of Powell; four grandchildren, Jeff Nelson of Glenwood Springs, Colo., Coleen Sandman of Kansas City, Mo., Scott Nelson of Bozeman, Mont., and Doug Nelson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; step grandchildren Jim Redman of Camarillio, Calif., David Redman of Billings, Mont., and Laurie Gaustad of Scobey, Mont.
She was preceded in death by a son, Billy Pert; parents Bert and Eva Steck; husband K.G. "Jake" Jacobson, son-in-law Jim Redman and brother Bud Steck.
A memorial service will be held at Union Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on June 10.

Leona A. Schow ~ June 7, 2002

Leona A. Schow, 82, died June 7 following a traffic accident east of Powell.
She was born May 15, 1920 to Abel and Laura T. (Kristoffersen) Olson in Wessington Springs, S. D. She completed high school and two years of Teachers College in South Dakota.
On November 13, 1943, she and Dale Butler Schow were married in Billings, Mont. They made their home in Billings.
She helped in the family business, a radio repair shop, and most recently provided daycare at the Bowling Alley. Many will remember her as "grandma." She enjoyed gardening, knitting and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Leora Wood and husband Ray of Powell and Diana Miller and husband David of Billings; brothers, Orville Olson of Arkansas and Vernon Olson and wife Berniece of Minnesota; 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and a brother.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and memorial services in Billings are pending.

James Andreas Hart ~ June 8, 2002

James Andreas Hart, 94, died at the Powell Nursing Home on June 8.
He was born on Nov. 8, 1907 in Brunswick, Neb., to Frank G. and Anna Theresa (Brechwald) Hart. He graduated from high school and attended one year of college.
On Aug. 14, 1974, he and Ruth Bygren Grossnickle were married in Laurel, Mont. He was a member of the East End Club and the Powell Senior Citizens.
He is survived by his wife Ruth of Powell; one stepson, John L. Grossnickle and wife Virginia of Keizer, Ore., three stepdaughters, Jeannie F. Bennett of Parma, Idaho, Shirley Hall and husband Raymond of Ontario, Ore., and Charlotte Domenico and husband Joe of Parma, Idaho; a brother, Hubert E. Hart of Powell; sister Clara Mae Laddusaw of Billings, Mont.; nine step-grandchildren, and eight step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Edith, brother Howard L. Hart, and sister Mildred Huggins.
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 13, at 1:30 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery, with Father Tom Ogg officiating.
Following the graveside service, the family will greet friends at St. Barbara's Catholic Center for refreshments and fellowship.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard J. "Dick" Hedderman ~ June 9, 2002

Richard J. "Dick" Hedderman, 74, of Cody and Fountain Hills, Ariz., died June 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
He was born March 12, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, the fourth child of nine sons and two daughters born to Raymond and Ursula Hedderman. He is survived by his wife Dolly; son Larry (Gloria) Hedderman of Powell; daughter Terry (Craig) Hanson of Yorktown, Va.; granddaughters Josie Hedderman of Cody, Anne Hedderman of Powell and Laramie, and Alexandra and Cody Hanson of Yorktown, Va.
Dick was an educator, outdoorsman, backcountry outfitter, telephone lineman, woodworker, runner, golfer and licensed pilot. At an early age he began riding bulls and traveling the country on the rodeo circuit. It was while he was in Cody for the July 4, 1948 Stampede that he met his future bride, Dolly. They were married Nov. 25, 1949 in St. Anthony's Church in Cody.
Dick worked for 14 years as a lineman for the Bureau of Reclamation and also as an outfitter.
He completed high school by earning a GED and in 1962, moved his family to Laramie, where he and Dolly pursued their degrees. He graduated in 1965 with a double major in education and English and earned his Master of Arts in Education Administration the following year. He was on the dean's list throughout his time at UW, all the while working in the registrar's office and running the Happy Jack Ski School in winter.
The Heddermans returned to Cody in 1966, where Dick taught for five years in the junior high and coached Cody High School's ski team. In 1971, he and Dolly accepted teaching positions on the North Slope of Alaska, where they remained for the next 14 years. He also served as principal and assistant superintendent. They summered in Cody and Hawaii, and while in Hawaii he earned his pilot's license.
He and Dolly retired in 1983, splitting time between Arizona and Cody. He spent his retirement golfing, running and biking, traveling, visiting his children and grandchildren, all the while fighting the progressive effects of Parkinson's Disease. His demeanor throughout that time reflected the attributes for which all who knew him loved and respected him: total selflessness, unbounded patience, understated good humor, unqualified love for family and friends and a quiet demeanor.
A memorial service is planned for June 19 at the Church of Ascension in Fountain Hills, with a second service to be held in early August in Cody.
Memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation.

Robert Ambrose Nelson ~ June 10, 2002

Memorial services will be conducted Friday at 10 a.m. at Cabre Gymnasium on the Northwest College campus in Powell for Robert Ambrose Nelson, 92, who died Monday, June 10 at the Powell Hospital.
A reception will follow at the NWC John DeWitt Student Center.
Mr. Nelson, born in the back of the Powell Tribune building on Powell's main street on April 28, 1910, was the son of Severt (S.A.) and Sedona (Fesenbeck) Nelson. A lifelong resident of Powell, he was graduated from Powell High School in 1926 and from the University of Washington in 1933.
His father was the first publisher of the Powell Tribune in 1909 and founded First National Bank of Powell in 1912. R.A. Nelson followed his father into the banking business. After high school graduation, he began working at First National to earn money for college, and after his college graduation, he became cashier of the bank as the nation endured The Great Depression.
Upon his father's death in 1937, R.A. Nelson assumed the presidency of First National Bank and served in that capacity until his son, Dick Nelson, became bank president in 1974. He continued to serve as chairman of the board until the year 2000, a 74-year active association and management career with First National.
In 1937, he married Evelyn Pehl, and to this union two children were born: Dick in 1940 and Julie in 1948.
He married Elsie M. (Stylen) Olson on Dec. 28, 1967, in Casper. They made their home in Powell, spending many winters in Hawaii. They enjoyed traveling together.
Mr. Nelson was active in civic affairs in Powell. He was a charter member of the Powell Rotary Club and a Rotarian for nearly 60 years. He helped found the Powell Country Club and Golf Course in 1946 and was the first chairman of the City of Powell Planning Commission in 1964. He was also the founder and first president of the Northwest College Foundation in June of 1966 and served 33 consecutive years as foundation president until Dec. 31, 1999.
He was a member of the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce and was named the chamber's Community Builder of the Year in 1975.
Mr. Nelson contributed substantially to economic development activities in Powell. In 1971, he donated $10,000 to the chamber of commerce and suggested the money be used to purchase land for an industrial park. That gift led to the formation of the Target Powell Valley organization and establishment of the TPV industrial park east of town. He also was an early incorporator of Powell, Inc., the private sector business development group that has helped assist many business projects.
He was a member of the Wyoming Bankers Association and served as WBA president in 1955. He was a member of BPOE Elks and in 1971 was awarded the Elks Distinguished Citizen Award.
He enjoyed golf and fishing and time spent at the family cabin in the Crandall area.
Survivors include his wife Elsie of Powell; a son, Dick Nelson, and his wife Jeanne of Powell; a daughter, Julie Sullivan, and her husband John of Canandaigua N.Y.; a stepson, Johnny Olson, and his wife Debbie of Billings, Mont.; a sister-in-law, Pauline Nelson of Cupertino, Calif.; a niece, Anna Ghandour, and her husband Ed of Santa Rosa, Calif.; and four grandsons, Ty Nelson of Cody and Andy Nelson of Powell, Johnathan Sullivan of Canandaigua, N.Y., and Jeffrey Olson of San Jose, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard B. Nelson.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to the Northwest College Foundation.
Cremation has taken place.

Pauline Tunnel ~ June 14, 2002

Pauline Tunnel, 68, died at the Powell Hospital on June 14. She was born Sept. 14, 1933 in Meeteetsee to Arthur and Minnie Mary (Cameron) Argento.
She was a first generation American, her mother immigrating from Scotland and her father from Italy. Her father was a member of the possee that was sent to capture Earl Durand. He was killed while storming Durand's hideout near Clark.
Pauline and Hermon L. "Tim" Tunnell were married in Worland on Sept. 29, 1948. During their many years together, they lived in Meeteetse; Tehran, Iran; Cairo, Egypt; Evanston, Kemmerer and finally Powell. S
he loved the great outdoors of Wyoming. She loved to fish, enjoyed hunting and camping, and playing card games, including canasta, pinochle and rummy.
She is survived by her husband Tim of the family home, son Dale Lynn Tunnell and wife Debbie of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter Karolyn Lee Tohamy and husband Tohamy of Corona, Calif.; brother Allen Argento and wife Verna of Lander; and four grandchildren.
Her parents, three brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 19, at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home with Pastor Stan Rieb officiating.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 4910 S. Ash Street, Casper, WY 82601.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Wilma Koonce Creamer ~ June 16, 2002

Ruby Wilma Koonce Creamer, 94, died June 16 at the New Horizons Health Care Center in Lovell.
Mrs. Creamer was born March 5, 1907 in Yalobusha County, near Coffeeville, Miss., to Mary Elizabeth Chapman and Lee Ohnless Koonce. After graduating from high school in Water Valley, Miss., she went to Wakefield, Neb., where she met Walter Creamer.
They were married Feb. 9, 1932 in Dakota City, Neb. She lived in Nebraska until 1988 when she moved to Cody to be near family. In 1993 she entered the New Horizons Care Center where for nine and a half years she was given loving care.
Wilma enjoyed reading, oil painting, gardening, crocheting, sewing and her family. She believed in the importance of an education and was proud that all her children were able to attend college.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Edmond Creamer, infant son Leo Parkus Creamer, and grandson Charles David Rose. She is survived by her children, Faunia DeWitt (Paul) of Gering, Neb., Sonia Clingerman of Scottsbluff, Neb., Larry Creamer (Reva) of Lenexus, Kan., Judy Kruger (Gary) of Reno, Nev., Leola Morton (Charles) of Cody, and Rosemary Ley (Harry) of Powell; 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in Bridgeport, Neb., at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the New Horizons Care Center in Lovell, in Wilma's name.

James M. Johnson, Jr. ~ June 25, 2002

James M. Johnson, Jr., 76, died at the Powell Nursing Home on Tuesday, June 25.
He was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Jacksonville, Ill. In 1972, he and Ruth A. Fenton were married in Reno, Nev. They lived in Nevada, California and Montana before spending the past 10 years in Powell.
Mr. Johnson made a living by doing auto body repair. He served in the U.S. Navy, enjoyed fishing and working on cars and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ruth, of Powell; a son, James Johnson III; a daughter, Denise Crottle; and sisters-in-law June McGary of Powell and Lila Peal of Cody. His parents and one brother preceded him in death.
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are scheduled. Should friends desire, memorials can be made to the family.

Christopher Alan Floyd ~ June 28, 2002

Christopher Alan Floyd, 29, of Casper died June 28 at his residence.
He was born June 28, 1973 in San Diego, Calif., to Bruce and Vickie Parker Floyd.
Surviving are one son, Andrew of New Mexico; one daughter, Victoria Floyd of Reno, Nev.; his mother and stepfather Tommy Johnson of Princeville; his father of Powell; and his sister Jennifer Floyd of Peoria, Ill.
He was a student at Casper College.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Martha Rebecca Fehlman ~ June 30, 2002

Martha Rebecca Fehlman died June 30 at the Powell Nursing Home.
She was born Jan. 1, 1905 in a log cabin at Big Piney. She was the oldest of three children of Mae (Bess) and George Whitman. Her father came from Texas in March 1888 traveling across the plains with 25 people and 400 head of hroses.
She lived on a homestead at LaBarge until she was 7 and ready for school. Her folks moved to Big Piney. They had no electricity and no running water. They burned coal and had kerosene lamps. Her father brought the first automobile to the area. She graduated from Big Piney High School in 1923.
In 1921 she and her sister Mae had a candy store and ice cream parlor. They later added groceries. This was the beginning of a collection of recipes she used to write two cookbooks. She wrote "Martha's Wyoming Cookbook" in 1977 and a "Wyoming Centennial Edition" in 1990.
She married Byron H. Fehlman Nov. 7, 1925. They lived a short time in Moab, Utah, and Casper before moving to Frannie in 1931, where they lived in the Standard Oil of Indiana camp.
Two children were born; Joan in 1929 and Byron in 1935.
In 1940 they bought a piece of prairie land in Cody and built the Covered Wagon Motel, now known as the Carriage House Motel. She sold the motel in 1972 and moved to Powell where she resided for 30 years.
She was a member of the Cedar Chapter Order of Eastern Star for over 50 years. She liked to china paint, oil paint, sew and play bridge. She raised beautiful roses that many people in Powell enjoyed for years. She belonged to Union Presbyterian Church.
A native of Wyoming, she loved the state and was proud to have spent her life here.
She is survived by her daughter Joan Bartels of Worland; son Byron H. Fehlman and wife Sue of Tucson, Ariz.; sister-in-law Charlene Whitman of Pinedale; grandchildren Mark D. Bartels and wife Elizabeth of Little Rock, Ariz.; Scott J. Bartels and wife Patricia of Las Vegas, Nev.; Krista L. Luhrs and husband John of Ketchican, Alaska; and Clint Bartels and wife Jennifer of Rifle, Colo.; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Her parents, husband in 1964, brother Arnold Whitman and sister Mae Cly and brother-in-law Charles Clyde preceded her in deawth.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. July 8 at Riverside Cemetery in Cody, with Pastor Tim Trippel officiating.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Reece Bradley Schleich ~ June 30, 2002

Reece Bradley Schleich, 15, died near Newcastle on Sunday afternoon while participating in the InyanKara Enduro Motorcycle Race.
He was born Feb. 26, 1987 at Powell Hospital to Larry Dean and Terry Kaye (Funke) Schleich. He had completed the ninth grade at Powell High School this spring. He was baptized in the Catholic faith.
He was a member of the USA Wrestling team, a member of the Powell High School football and wrestling teams, Powell Baseball, Powell 4X4 club and the Big Horn Basin Motorcycle and ATV Club. He was a member of the class of 2005.
He was awarded the eighth grade Male Athlete of the Year, 2001 USA Wrestling state champion at 120 pounds and second place in Roman Greco wrestling. During his freshman year in wrestling at Powell High School, he was voted "Most Valuable Freshman Wrestler" and "Most Improved Freshman Wrestler."
His family remembers him with these thoughts:
"Reece was a delight from the very beginning. As he grew, his interests grew. He was a natural at so many things. His father taught him weight lifting techniques at an early age and he was proud of his muscles - always flexing to make sure they were still there!
"He loved dirt biking, football, wrestling and baseball. As we watched him in all these events, you could tell he was always giving 110 percent. He was a loving son and brother, sometimes he would disrespect his mother and take her down with a wrestling move!
"His brother and his friends took Reece under their wings and helped make him what he became. He loved his family, friends and his dog, Maggie. He was never afraid to show his love. He had so much heart!
"He lived his life to the fullest. Now that he is gone, we have him in our hearts and so many wonderful memories of him bringing pride to the family. His life was taken while he was doing what he loved most ... dirt biking. Everyone that knew Reece will remember him for his heart, his personality and his love of life."
He is survived by his loving parents, brother A.J. Schleich; grandparents Nadine Schleich and Babe Funke, all of Powell; aunts and uncles Dan and Marueen Funke of Boca Raton, Fla., Jim and Glenda Baird of Red Lodge, Mont., Sandy and Jerry Ellis of Cedaredge, Colo.; great-aunt Terry Hilliard of Casper; great-uncles and great-aunts Frank and Grace Anania of Omaha, Neb., and Walter and Pauline Cox of Seattle, Wash.; cousins Mike, Tanya and Mikey Funke, Laura and Greg Devine, Amy Baird, Brian, Jody, Josh and Jacob Baird, Kyle, Darcy and Brett Ellis; god-mother Ann E. Bancroft of Scandia, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Harry Schleich, grandmother Mary Jane Funke, god-father Frankie Anania and great-aunt Helen McIntosh.
Visitation was Wednesday at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home in Powell. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday at the Powell High School gymnasium with Father Pete Johnson officiating. Coaches Jim Zeigler and Jim Stringer along with Larry Akin will assist at the service. Cremation will follow the Friday services.
Should friends desire, memorials might be made to the Powell USA Wrestling Club in care of Karen Sullivan, the Powell 4X4 Track in care of Larry Akin or the BHBMAC in care of Randy Burke Sports.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home of Powell is in charge of arrangements.