MARCH 2001
Blanch Whitney Klindt ~ March 4, 2001
Geraldine M. "Gerry" West ~ March 5, 2001
Judy Marie Rickard Young ~ March 6, 2001
James E. McDaniel ~ March 10, 2001
Patricia June McGrady Lanchbury ~ March 11, 2001
Edward H. Hill ~ March 12, 2001
Verne Gimmeson ~ March 12, 2001
Harley A. Neuenschwander ~ March 15, 2001
Shirley Jane Frank ~ March 17, 2001
Maurice L. Hannum ~ March 19, 2001
Dixie Jeanne Dorothy Thompson ~ March 19, 2001
Harry Edward Strange ~ March 24, 2001
Diane E. Bonner ~ March 26, 2001
Blanche Whitney Klindt ~ March 4
Memorial services will be conducted Friday in Walnut Creek, Calif., for a former Powell resident, Blanche Whitney Klindt, 91, who died Sunday, March 4 in Pleasant Hill, Calif.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell.
She was born Dec. 20, 1909, in Cowley. During her lifetime, she was a self-employed real estate developer, owner-operator of a drive-in movie theater and a rancher. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Soroptimist Club and Republican Women's Club. She enjoyed reading.
Survivors include her daughter, Susan Randall of Martinez, Calif.; sisters Joyce Wilson of Texas, Bonnie Ann Dore of Utah and Alberta Willis of Montana; five grandchildren and 18-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Fredrick Klindt; a son, Fredrick Klindt; and two daughters, Lynette Klindt and Sylvia Klindt.
Geraldine M. "Gerry" West ~ March 5
A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday at First Southern Baptist Church in Worland for the mother of a Powell woman.
Geraldine M. "Gerry" West of Worland died Monday, March 5 at Washakie Medical Center in Worland. She was 70.
She was born Aug. 22, 1930, in Worland, daughter of James Elijah and Stella Florence (Williamson) Carneal. She was raised in Worland where she attended schools, graduating from Washakie County High School in 1948. She married and raised her family.
After her children were grown, she went to work for Cloud Peak Manor in 1970 as a cook. She took dietary courses and eventually became the dietitian for the nursing home, retiring in 1992.
She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and the Worland Senior Citizens Center where she donated her time. Her hobbies included playing pinochle, oil painting, knitting, crocheting, crafts and travel.
Survivors include her husband, Gene West of Worland; two daughters, Gloria Brazelton and husband Roy of Powell and Janet West and husband Jerry Martin of Billings, Mont.; a brother, Cline Carneal and wife Sally of Worland; two sisters, Dora Hunt and husband Harold and Juanita Garner and husband Bill, both of Casper; and two grandsons, Jayme and Casey Brazelton, both of Powell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, David A. West in 1986; two sisters and an infant brother. Cremation has taken place, and the ashes will be buried at Riverview Memorial Gardens prior to the memorial service. In keeping with her wishes, a portion of her body was donated for organ transplant.
Judy Marie Rickard Young ~ March 6
Powell native Judy Marie Rickard Young, known to loved ones as "the Salmon Queen of the Copper River," died quietly in her home in Glennallen, Alas., on Tuesday, March 6. She was 56.
Her quest to retrieve the largest possible number of salmon from her fish wheels in the Copper River was widely known. Those close to her knew as well that she lived her life with laughter and fun and always to the fullest, never stopping for a moment to let life's serious matters get in her way. Her life was devoted not only to her own children, but to any child with whom she came in contact.
She was born Oct. 24, 1944, in Powell to Hugh and Audrey (Shoemaker) Rickard. She attended Powell schools, graduating from Powell High School in 1963.
After completing studies at Northwest Community College, she was graduated from Eastern Montana College in Billings, Mont., with a degree in business education.
She and Ed Tollman were married in Powell on March 6, 1965. That fall, they loaded up their pickup truck, heading for her first teaching position in Glennallen, Alas. She taught business and computer education in the public schools and at Prince William Sound Community College off and on for the next 33 years.
In 1991, Judy returned to Powell and worked as administrative assistant at the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce for three years, as well as instructing computer courses at Northwest College. When she returned to Glennallen in 1994, she assisted her oldest daughter as a pre-school teacher at the Copper Valley Learning Center.
She traveled whenever and wherever the opportunity arose, most recently having spent considerable time in Spain, Canada, Australia and Mexico.
On Jan. 4, 2000, Judy married Rick Young in Glennallen, gaining stepdaughters Angie, Shawna and Leah Young.
Her first love was people - her family and friends and her two grandbabies. She also enjoyed food, traveling, four-wheeling and preserving and cooking the huge quantities of salmon retrieved from her fish wheels in Alaska.
Survivors include her husband, Rick Young in Glennallen; son Dan of West Hollywood, Calif., daughter Suzie and husband Chris of Glennallen; daughter Casey of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; her father, Hugh Rickard of Powell; brother Ron Rickard and wife Delores of Cody; sister Terry Peterson and husband Bob of Woodland, Calif.; grandchildren Jody and Julia of Glennallen; her aunt, Vesta Phelan of Powell; five nephews; and Lynda King, "favorite 'ol cousin" of Powell.
A memorial service has been conducted in Glennallen. Her remains will be placed in the Copper River near her fish wheel.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial donations in the name of Judy Young at the National Bank of Alaska in Glennallen, AK 99588.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Powell for James E. McDaniel, 78, who died Saturday, March 10 at the Powell Hospital.
Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.
He was born in Spencer, S.D., on Jan. 16, 1923, to Frank and Isabelle (Hamaker) McDaniel.
He entered military service and served in the U.S. Marine Corps with the Spearhead Fifth Division in World War II and saw limited action on Iwo Jima. He married Margaret Unzicker, and together they had five children.
He managed the GTA grain elevator for 17 years in Mitchell, S.D. He sold GTA feeds in North Dakota, Idaho and for Big Horn Co-op in Powell.
He enjoyed visiting at the coffee shop, relaxing on his deck, working in his yard and playing with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Margaret; three sons, Wes McDaniel and wife Cathy of Williston, N.D., Tim McDaniel and wife Karen of Powell and Todd McDaniel and wife Karen of Williston, N.D.; two daughters, Linda Meier and husband Bob of Whitewood, S.D., and Tracy Smith and husband Greg of Powell; 11 grandchildren: Mike Meier and Melisa Meier, Jason, Justin and Christopher McDaniel, Kaitlin and Ryanne McDaniel, Jared McDaniel and Shelby Pederson, Hailee and Chandler Smith; and two great-granddaughters, Cierra and Marquie Meier. He is also survived by two brothers, Richard and Wayland, and one sister, Lenor, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Condolences may be sent to 530 S. Ingalls in Powell. A memorial has been established.
Patricia June McGrady Lanchbury ~ March 11
Funeral services will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Powell for Patricia June McGrady Lanchbury, 73, who lost the battle to ovarian cancer Sunday, March 11.
Her family affirms: She was born, she lived, and while she lived, she loved and was loved and throughout all of life, she laughed.
Born on June 4, 1927, in Billings, Mont., she was the daughter of James A. and Grace (Luckow) McGrady. She was educated in the Billings public and parochial schools.
On Dec. 17, 1942, she married John Lanchbury, Jr. in Seattle, Wash. They lived and worked in Poplar, Mont., for a number of years, then returned to Eagles Nest west of Powell. The marriage lasted 43 years until his death in 1986. To this union were born three children, James Lawrence, Jay Edward and Melody Lee.
She loved to read and do arts and crafts, was a member of many organizations and worked at a variety of jobs from waitress to cook to her last job as office manager at the Barrows Co. in Ralston. She took great pride in her Irish heritage and preserving the family history of Eagles Nest, an old stage station between Powell and Cody. Her children will preserve that tradition. Jay Lanchbury continues to live on the ranch at Eagles Nest.
Survivors include son Jay Lanchbury and wife Carol of Ralston; daughter Melody Deyle and husband David of Laurel, Mont.; two granddaughters that she raised, Jamie Lanchbury Bryan and Misty Lanchbury Hayden, both of Billings; 12 other grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim McGrady and wife Elaine of New Berlin, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also special to her and John and were Nanci Bergman, her husband Mike and family, of Edgewood, N.M., who became members of the Lanchbury family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her son, James (Larry); a sister, Lucille Hunt; a brother, Carl Darrow; and three grandsons and a granddaughter.
Memorials may be sent to Big Sky Hospice, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch or a charity of choice.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell for Vernie Gimmeson of Casper, who died early Monday, March 12 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper after a long bout with cancer. She was 68.
The Rev. David Hunter will officiate at services. Cremation has taken place, and burial of cremains will be in the Oregon Trails Cemetery in Casper.
She was born Vernie Allshouse on Sept. 24, 1932, in Sparks, Neb., the daughter of George and Amelia Allshouse. She was the youngest of six children.
She moved with her family to Powell in 1938, and she received most of her schooling in Powell.
She married Gene Gimmeson on March 8, 1950, in Billings, Mont. They made their home in Powell.
In 1952, she graduated from the Billings School of Cosmetology and received her cosmetology license from the State of Wyoming in 1953. She maintained this license all of her life.
The couple's only child, Brant, was born in 1954.
In 1970, the family moved to Worland and then to Casper in 1977. In 1979, she was employed by the Natrona County School District as a teacher's aide. She worked at Roosevelt, East and Centennial Junior High Schools and had 18 years of perfect attendance in the school system.
She enjoyed her work with the schools, as well as the BPOE Does, gardening, traveling and a special love, snowmobiling. Most of all, she loved her grandchildren; they were her life.
Survivors include her husband Gene of Casper; son Brant and his wife Lori and two grandchildren, Kamry and Kolby, all of Aurora, Colo. She also leaves many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents and all five of her brothers and sisters.
For those who wish, the family requests memorials to the Blue Envelope Health Fund for Cancer, P.O. Box 2177, Casper, WY 82602.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cody for Edward H. Hill, 72, Cody, who died Monday, March 12 at the University of Utah Medical Center Burn Unit in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mr. Hill died of complications from injuries he sustained in a fire at his home on Feb. 23, 2001.
He was born Oct. 5, 1928, in Mitchell, Neb., to Henry and Katherine (Michaelis) Hill. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Montana and then to Powell. He was graduated from Powell High School in 1946.
In January, 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served with the Military Police while stationed in California. During his tour of duty, he made many life-long friends. He was discharged in 1953.
Upon his return from military service, he met Juanita Jensen. They married on Nov. 21, 1953. From 1953 to the mid-1970s, he worked for his brother, Henry, at Graham and Hill Trucking as a diesel mechanic and truck driver. He then went to work for Dick Jones Trucking. His knowledge and skill as a mechanic earned him great respect among the many drivers he befriended over his 35-year career.
He enjoyed working with his family and friends on numerous home repair projects. He was always willing to lend a hand until his health began to decline.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Cody Elks Lodge No. 1611.
Survivors include his wife of Cody; daughter Heidi Stoeckel and husband Ed and their daughters, Amanda and Laurel of Denver, Colo.; daughter Monica Martin and husband Rick and their children, Brian, Alex and Ricki of Cody; son Robin Hill and wife Diane and their children Caitlin and Jordan of Shepherd, Mont., and son Roscoe Hill and wife Robin Ellen of Casper. He is also survived by sister Barbara Friend and husband Doug of Cody and a sister Esther of Tucson, Ariz., and numerous nieces and nephews.
His family will always remember the annual Fourth of July gatherings at Uncle Ed's house, and he will be remembered for the love he had for his family and his sense of humor.
Harley A. Neuenschwander ~ March 15
Harley A. Neuenschwander, 87, of Powell died March 15 at the Powell Nursing home.
Neuenschwander was born May 6, 1913 in Abbeyville, Kan., the son of Calvin Neuenschwander and Lottie Oaks.
He graduated from Sylvia High School and entered the Army in 1932, serving in peacetime.
Harley married Hazel Herrell on April 24, 1941. She died April 9, 1972. Harley married Lucille Swenson Sept. 8, 1983. She died May 27, 1998.
He was a member of the Powell Church of Christ. He worked as a self-employed carpenter.
He is survived by brother Floyd Neuenschwander of Hutchinson, Kan., and stepchildren Joyce Swenson Bloom of Powell; Ward Swenson of Theresa Wis.; Wayne Swenson of Bismarck, N.D.; and Ronald Swenson of Thousand Oaks, Cal.
He was preceded in death by brother Calvin Swain Neuenschwander and sister Charlotte Rose.
Services were held Wednesday at Peace Creek Cemetery in Kansas.
Shirley Jane Frank, 60, of Fort Collins, Colo., died March 17 at the Poudre Valley Hospital.
Mass of Christian burial was held March 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Collins.
Shirley was born May 31, 1940 in Billings and grew up in Meeteetse and Cody.
She was the daughter of Melvin Lovercheck and Eva Knight Lovercheck.
She was a graduate of Cody High School and Montana State University in 1960 as a registered nurse.
She was married to Ronn Frank on Sept. 15, 1962 in Cody.
Shirley worked at a doctor's office in Bozeman, Mont., before moving to Fort Collins, where she was a devoted mother and volunteer. She was a volunteer for the Poudre Valley Hospital, a member of the Jaycettes, LaSertoma, National Honor Society, Job's Daughters and St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Her greatest love was her family and grandchildren. Her grandchildren called her "Grandma Shirley" and cherished "Grandma kisses" and grandma's candy drawer.
She loved reading, gardening, camping, traveling, football and her cats. Her cooking was savored by everyone.
She is survived by daughters Cindy Brokman and husband Dave and their twin daughters Delaney and Madisa; Tracey Frank; and Tamy Ingram and husband Monte and children Colton and Kennedi; sister Melva Jean Harris and husband Dick; mother-in-law and father-in-law I.J. and Lola Frank of Powell; several aunts and uncles and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dick.
Maurice L. Hannum died March 19 at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.
He was born in Moorhead, Minn., on Feb. 24, 1914. In 1916 he moved to Fargo, N.D., with his mother and grandparents. In school, he excelled in sports and in his junior year his team won the city championship for football. He was president of his class and was nominated by his teachers and classmates to be the first in North Dakota to receive the Sons of the Revolution good Citizenship medal. He completed his education with a degree in accounting and office management from the Interstate Business College.
In the 1930s he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was drafted into the Army in 1941, which prompted him and his sweetheart, Catherine Tuff, to get married that December. They were married more than 59 years.
As a member of the 164th Infantry Regiment, he served in the South Pacific on Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, Bougainville and the Philippines. After 38 months, he returned home having been awarded the Bronze Star.
After several moves, Maurice and his family settled in Powell in 1965, where he worked as an accountant for Earl Rivard. They later bought the Dutch Mill Cafe. In 1967, he began working at the post office. He retired in 1979.
He is preceded in death by daughter Sandra Kay. Survivors include wife Kay; daughter Mrs. Charles (Terri) Anderson of Roseville, Minn.; son Garth of Ponca City, Okla.; daughter Mrs. Patrick (Lisa) Grimsley of Billings; grandsons Bill, David and Daniel Anderson; granddaughters Toni Beaver, Randi Kay Hannum, Kristyne and Kimberly Ellis; and brother Irvin Weitzel of Fargo, N.D.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is planned today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church. Internment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo at a later date.
Dixie Jeanne Dorothy Thompson ~ March 19
Word has been received here of the March 19 death in Davis, Calif., of a former Powell resident, Dixie Jeanne Dorothy Thompson, 61.
She was born Oct. 25, 1939, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Thomas Richard Myers and Laura Helen Myers. She moved to South Dakota in 1943 and received schooling in Kennebec, S.D., and Gillette. After high school, she attended cosmetology school in Rapid City, S.D., and opened her own beauty shop in Sundance.
While living in Sundance, she met and married Stan Thompson, and they had four children.
She lived in Powell in the 1970s, leaving here for Sacramento, Calif. She received her minister's license in 1985 and ministered in the West Sacramento area for many years.
She was licensed as a certified nursing assistant in 1988.
Survivors include her children, Donell Jean Thompson of Estes Park, Colo., Debra Lee Thompson of Sacramento, Darryl Thomas Thompson of San Diego, Calif., and Rochelle Marie Thompson Edwards of Davis; and seven grandchildren.
Burial was in the Galt Cemetery in Galt, Calif.
Harry Edward Strange ~ March 24
Ed Strange died in a Fruita, Colo., hospital on March 24. He had resided in Grand Junction, Colo., for about 30 years. He was 94.
He was born in Hermosa, S.D., on March 8, 1907 to Earl Granville and Cora Helen (Stebbing) Strange. He was the older of two children born to this union. His sister Irene preceded him in death on May 18, 1999.
He was married to Opal Irene Gumm on Oct. 4, 1929 at Belle Fourche, S.D. To this union were born three children, Barbara Jean Stewart of Basin, Beulah Mae Bush of Grand Junction, Colo., and Philip Douglas Strange and wife Penny of Federal Way, Wash. His wife Opal of more than 66 years died on April 16, 1996.
His main occupation was as a carpenter-builder. He built numerous businesses and homes in Powell. He worked at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne from 1940-41. He and Opal operated a Gamble Store in Buffalo in the early 1950s. They moved to Moses Lake, Wash., and bought the Lakeside Motel, remodeling it before they sold it.
Ed became a Mason in Powell and belonged to Absaroka Lodge 30 for more than 50 years. He enjoyed playing cribbage and made several boards. He liked to hunt, fish and bowl. He owned a bowling alley in Powell for a time.
Ed and Opal enjoyed traveling after they retired. They spent 20 winters in Arizona and Mexico with their Airstream Trailer.
In addition to son Phil and daughter Barbara, he leaves 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church for Powell City Councilwoman, Diane E. Bonner, 61, who died Monday night, March 26 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont., losing out in her struggle with leukemia.
The Rev. David Hunter will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. A public viewing will take place from 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.
She was a ground breaker in public service and career. She was the first woman to serve on the Powell City Council, and she was the first woman to be elected president of the Wyoming Press Association. In 1989, she was the first woman honored as Powell's Community Builder of the Year, the highest award offered by the Chamber of Commerce.
She was born Nov. 19, 1939, in Lyman, daughter of Mark Elmer and Josephine (Giorgis) Elmer. She grew up in Evanston and attended Evanston schools, graduating from high school there in 1958. She attended the University of Wyoming, and it was there she met her future husband. She married Dave Bonner in Evanston on Aug. 26, 1961. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this summer.
She graduated from UW with a B.A. degree in art in 1962.
As a co-owner of the Powell Tribune since 1964, she was a working partner in the production of the newspaper for nearly 30 years. At her death, she was director of advertising.
She wore many hats at the Tribune. She took pictures. She sold ads. She wrote a personal column. Her popular column, Pssst, ran on Page 2 of the newspaper for some 20 years, winner of numerous awards from the Wyoming Press Association. She served as president of the state press association in 1989.
For the last six years, she had owned and operated, first with her son, Toby, and then as a solo venture, Wildflower Furnishings, a hand-painted furniture business. She had a studio at home to carry on her artistic pursuits.
Her career in city government began in 1984 when she was appointed to succeed Wes Vining who resigned. She represented Ward 2 on the city council for the next 17 years, winning election to four consecutive four-year terms after serving an initial two-year term by appointment.
She championed business and recreation opportunities as a member of the city council. She was a prime mover in the early 1990's downtown improvement project, going before the State Farm Loan Board several times for successful funding. She was chairman of the design development committee that selected red sidewalks, new street lights, trees, benches and other amenities in the downtown project. The downtown improvements helped Powell to win designation as an All-America City in 1994.
She also participated in the design development of The Commons as a downtown events center and the soon-to-be-built outdoor plaza and downtown business center.
The frog pond wading pool for children in Homesteader Park became a reality when she led a public drive for donations to make it possible.
She is probably best remembered as the founder and first chairman of the city-wide celebration, "Country Christmas," in its 16th year as a community event ushering in the Christmas season on the first weekend of December.
She served as chairman or co-chairman of "Country Christmas" since its inception.
Her Christmas undertakings are legend.
Even before she was on the city council, she enlisted the aid of the private sector - carpenters, painters and building materials suppliers - to donate time and materials to construct "Santa's House," a colorful Christmas fixture in Pond Park for many years until the advent of The Commons. Santa's House featured mechanical workshop elves and provided scheduled hours for kids to sit on Santa's lap.
One year she encouraged downtown businessmen to place lighted Christmas trees on top of their buildings - a main street aerial lighting display.
With the completed downtown beautification project in 1994 that introduced sidewalk trees to the business district, she made sure that the trees were lit - pink tops and white trunks - to create a cotton candy Christmas world.
If the city budget couldn't support enough Christmas lights, she cajoled business owners into providing lights for trees on their property.
She was also successful in getting the city to invest in large public Christmas lighting displays.
Diane has also been the city's representative on the Park County Travel Council since its inception. This joint powers board administers the county lodging tax and directs expenditures in promotion of tourism and events marketing, including Country Christmas.
She was named Kiwanis Citizen of the Year in 2000 as a role model for volunteer service.
She belonged to the Union Presbyterian Church, the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Wyoming Press Association, the National Press Women and the Wyoming Arts Council. She was a life member of the University of Wyoming Alumni Association and served on the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board and the UW Art Museum Board.
She loved color, and she loved decorating from parties and banquets to parade floats, but most of all at Christmas time. She loved to decorate her home for Christmas, each year her Christmas tree a new creation. Even the presents under the tree bore her special touch.
Her family was her greatest source of pride and joy. She lived for her children and grandchildren and the special family gatherings - the bigger, the better. Next to family, her bridge club was dear to her heart. Survivors include her husband Dave of Powell; her three children, all of Powell, Shelby Wetzel and husband John, Brad Bonner and wife Linda and Toby Bonner and wife Kristi; two sisters, Janice Walden and husband Jim of Ames, Iowa, and Patsy Madia and husband Dave of Evanston; one brother, Bob Elmer and wife Karen of Rock Springs; mother-in-law Nancy Bonner of Powell; five grandchildren, Davis and Annabel Bonner and Claire, Quin and Ben Wetzel; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Northwest College Foundation or the University of Wyoming Foundation.