MAY 2004
Antonia Rodriquez ~ May 10, 2004
Lora Lea Orrison Black ~ May 10, 2004
Nyna Larmer ~ May 11, 2004
Leona Mae Krause ~ May 12, 2004
Walter Stanley House ~ May 12, 2004
Barbara Lataine Sayer ~ May 13, 2004
Bob Frisby ~ May 15, 2004
Lillian Takeuchi ~ May 17, 2004
Tami Melinda Brech ~ May 18, 2004
Jeannette M. Lee ~ May 20, 2004
Clara Elizabeth Bessler ~ May 21, 2004
Michelle Marie Ray ~ May 21, 2004
Donald G. Matthews ~ May 25, 2004
Mary Naomi Wilson Felix Pollet ~ May 26, 2004
Elinor Catterall ~ May 27, 2004
Doris Jean Baxendale ~ May 28, 2004
Antonia (Toni) Rodriguez - May 10
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Wyoming pioneer, Antonia (Toni) Maestas Rodriguez, 92, who died in Anchorage, Alas., on Monday, May 10.
Four priests will preside at the funeral Mass. Father Pete Johnson is celebrant, with co-celebrants to include former St. Barbara's priests, Father Charles Taylor, Father John Wright and Father Tom Ogg.
A visitation will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today (Tuesday) at the Miratsky Memorial Chapel. Friends and family are invited to share memories of Antonia at 7 p.m. at St. Barbara's Parish with a Rosary to follow.
She was born Nov. 17, 1911, in Rociada, N.M. Her family moved to Powell in 1923. She was orphaned at age 13. She withdrew from school to help her brother raise their younger siblings.
She married Paul Rodriguez Dec. 6, 1929, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Billings, Mont. As a mother of six, she and her husband farmed in Powell until 1963 when they moved to Ceres, Calif., where she worked in a nursing home. They returned to Ralston in 1969 where she has since resided.
She has been an inspiration to her family and friends, as she lived independently, gardening and cooking until suffering a stroke in January, 2004, in Anchorage, Alas. She was recovering well until her sudden illness on May 5, 2004.
Survivors include her sons, Paul Rodriguez, Jr. (Beth) and Jim Rodriguez (Becky), both of Powell, and Roger Rodriguez (Irene) of Westminster, Colo.; her daughters, Virginia Damori (Jim) of Ralston and Patricia Roorda (Reg) of Eagle River, Alas.; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Esther Gonzales, and her husband, Paul, Sr.
Her devoted faith sustained her through many challenges. She will truly be missed by everyone whose heart she touched. Miratsky Memorial Chapels in Powell and Memorial Chapel in Anchorage, Alas., were in charge of arrangements.
Lora Lea Orrison Black - May 10
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, May 15 in Caldwell, Idaho, for Lora Lea Orrison Black, 36, who died May 10. Early Monday morning, May 10, 2004, a beautiful spirit left her earthly body and entered into the presence of her Heavenly Father. She was born on March 5, 1968, in Tacoma, Wash., to Rodney and Nancy Orrison. In January 1976, the family moved to Caldwell, and Lora began developing the relationships which have sustained her throughout her lifetime. After graduating from Caldwell High School in 1986, Lora attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. She majored in elementary education and began her lifelong love of interacting with children. She received the Most Promising Educator Award from the education department upon her graduation in the spring of 1990. For the next two years, Lora taught fifth grade at Sherwood Elementary School in Sherwood, Ore. While attending Pacific University, Lora met and fell in love with Will Black, an optometry student from Powell. They were married on July 10, 1993, at Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church in Caldwell.
Lora and Will moved back to Caldwell where Dr. Black began practicing optometry and Lora began teaching at Van Buren Elementary School. Lora's dream of becoming a mother came true in September 1996, when she and Will traveled to China to receive their first daughter, Juliet Rose. In October 2000, they returned to China for their second daughter, Annalea Jane. Juliet and Annalea were the focus of Lora's life. Her greatest desire was to raise her girls. In her short years with them, she taught them the values she wanted them to live by: politeness, love for family and friends, love for God and living with a happy heart.
Lora is survived by her husband, Dr. William T. Black, her daughters, Juliet, age 8, and Annalea, age 4; her grandfather, Ralph Drew and his wife, Alice; her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, John and Anna Orrison, and their sons, John and Joseph; her husband's parents, Mac and Debbie Black, and Sara Lee; her sister-in-law and her husband, Mary Jane and Lyle Muncy, and their children, Megan, Nick and Monica; sister-in-law and her husband, Trese and Don Treptow, and their children, Jake, Genevieve and Chase; and her husband's grandfather, Crafts Black. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Lora's deep and abiding faith sustained her and allowed her to deal with her health problems with a sense of humor and without complaining. She loved each day with Will and the girls, and she brought joy and hope to everyone she met. Memorials in Lora's name may be directed to Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church to be used for children's educational programs, 14th Ave. & Dearborn, Caldwell, Idaho 83605. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Dr. Black, 2605 Willowbrook Place, Caldwell, Idaho, 83605.
Word has been received here of the death May 11 in Snow Flake, Ariz., of long-time Powell resident, Nyna Larmer, 91.
She was born in Springfield, Ark., on Sept. 11, 1912, to Ray G. Myers and Nydia Armagost Myers. At the age of 3, she and her brother Roy, then 21 months old, lost their mother. They were raised by their maternal grandparents, Alfred and Sophronia Armagost, in Iron River, Wisc.
After the deaths of their grandparents, their father brought them to Powell in 1928, where Nyna lived for the next 75 years.
On April 4, 1932, she married Sidney W. Larmer, who preceded her in death in 1986 after 54 years of marriage.
She was an avid rockhound and nature lover and spent many hours with friends exploring areas in Wyoming and Montana.
In July, 1998, she suffered a stroke and moved into the Bee Hive Home in Powell. In November, 2003, it was necessary to move her to Arizona to be closer to family members.
Survivors include two daughters, Ellen Munoz (Andrew) of Sierra Madre, Calif., and Luella Wilcock (Kennard) of Show Low, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two half brothers, Lloyd Myers, Powell, and Glenn Myers, Meeteetse; and a half sister, Betty Workman, Tahlequah, Okla.
Special people who were important in Nyna's life, particularly in her later years, include Christine M. Shuffield, Powell, the granddaughter of Nyna's friend, Elizabeth Whaley, who drove for Nyna after she lost her eyesight to mascular degeneration, as well as spending many hours visiting and reading to her; Lynn Belford, Powell, who handled her bookkeeping and letter writing for many years; Eleanor Hofer, Laurel, Mont., who kept in contact with Nyna, visiting and taking her many places; and Lloyd and Janine Myers, Powell, who assisted in many ways.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Roy, a World War II naval hero; a half sister, Ramona Hoffman; and three great-grandchildren.
Her cremated remains will be buried in Osceola, Iowa, near her mother, maternal grandparents and brother Roy.
Memorial services for Leona Mae Krause, 86, who died May 12 in Colorado Springs, Colo., are planned for Wednesday, June 2 at 11 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell. She died peacefully at the Pikes Peak Care Center where she had moved a month before to be near her family. Prior to that, she resided at The Heartland in Powell. She battled Parkinson's Disease for several years and was active in the Big Horn Basin Support Group.
She was born in Powell on Aug. 31, 1917, to Harry and Lola Fulton and graduated from Powell High School in 1935. In 1938, after graduating from Billings Business College, she and her high school sweetheart, John Krause, were married. She was a mother and housewife for nearly 50 years in the O'Donnell community and was the president of the O'Donnell Extension Club many times. Leona was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church where she served as Elder and Deacon and a member of the Jackson Circle. She was known for her hospitality and the way she cared for friends and family. She was a member of Chapter P of PEO, Powell Hospital Board, Fine Arts Club, EPASC and a volunteer at the Homesteader Museum.
She enjoyed golf, fishing, playing bridge and raising beautiful flowers. In the 1980s, she attended a floral design school in Denver and worked part-time for some of Powell's florists. Leona liked to travel and she traveled to many places of interest in the United States and Europe. Survivors include three sons, Jerry (Judi) and Jim (Lisa) from Denver and Ken (Sherry) from Colorado Springs; a daughter, Sharon Nitz (Ted) from Pullman, Wash.; her sister Aubyn Morse (Hal) from Grand Junction, Colo.; her brother, Allan Fulton (Maxine) from Denver; 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. For those who wish, donations may be made either to the John and Leona Krause Scholarship at Northwest College Foundation in Powell or to the Big Horn Basin Parkinson's Support Group, in care of Barbara Hansen, 951 Road 22, Powell.
Funeral services will be conducted today (Tuesday, May 18) at 10 a.m. in the LDS Stake Center in Lovell for Walter Stanley House of Powell, who died Wednesday, May 12 in the Salt Lake City, Utah, VA Hospital after a valiant fight with cancer.
Burial will follow in the Lovell Cemetery.
He was the oldest son born to Oscar William House and Elna Tilda Wasden House in Powell on Dec. 7, 1930. he grew up on the family farm in Ralston and attended Powell schools.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. His life's career was driving truck for Jim Averett, Caribou Four Corners, Lovell Clay Products and for many years, Dick Jones Trucking. He was awarded the 1995 Truck Driver of the Year award by the Wyoming Truckers Association.
He loved fishing and spending time with his family.
His wife, Ruth Allred House, died in the summer of 1974. He was also preceded in death by his father, Oscar William House, and sisters, Peggy Allen and Linda House.
Survivors include his children, Joyce House Duvall (Phil) of Sheridan, Jim House, also of Sheridan, and John House (Teresa) of Tekoa, Wash.; stepsons Chris Finkle (Wendy) of San Diego, Calif., and Tim Finkle of San Diego and Great Lakes, Ill.; his mother, Elna Tilda House of Cody; his brothers, Dean House (Helen) of Powell, Vern House (Nancy) of Bozeman, Mont., and Neil House of Chino, Ariz.; nine grandchildren and seven gerat-grandchildren.
For those who wish, the family suggests a donation to the hospice of the Salt Lake City V.A. Medical Center, 500 Foothill Boulevard, SLC, Utah 84148.
Barbara Lataine Sayer - May 13
Memorial services were held Tuesday in Lordsburg, N.M., for Powell native Barbara Lataine Sayer, 81, who died Thursday, May 13 at Gila Regional Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 15, 1923, in Powell to William J. and Bessie Belle (Bounds) Hall. She married Leonard Sayer, who preceded her in death.
Survivors include two daughters, Rose Maderos and Ruby Tuesday, both of Billings; one son, Ronald Maderos of Mesquite, Nev.; a sister, Ellen Israel of Kalamazoo, Mich.; a brother, Ral Hall of Powell; one granddaughter and one great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two sisters, Julia Peterson and Joan Trowbridge.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 at the United Methodist Church in Cody for former Park County state legislator, Bob Frisby, who died peacefully Saturday, May 15, surrounded by his family at The Heartland in Powell, where he had been living for the past two years. He was born Sept. 23, 1920 in Casper, son of Jonathan Elliott and Bessie Snyder Frisby. He was educated in the Casper schools and at the University of Wyoming.
He enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was discharged as a captain in 1946. He served in the China-Burma-India Theatre. In 1950 he was the first officer from Cody recalled to service in the Korean War. He married the love of his live, Peggy Holm of Cody, in Chicago, Ill., on April 14, 1943. He was Senior Vice President of First State Bank (later First Wyoming Bank) in Cody and served on the Board of Directors for many years. From 1955 to 1960 he served as Park County Assessor. Prior to that, he owned and operated Frisby Sales and Service, a dealership for Jeeps, Studebakers, and Case farm machinery in Cody. He was a partner with Jack Richard in the Cody Times and with Gordon Brodrick in the OK Chevrolet in Powell. He and his wife Peg built and operated the Frontier
Motel in Cody for 10 years. In 1970, he was elected to the Wyoming Legislature, where he represented Park County for 18 years. He was chairman of the House Revenue Committee and after election to the Senate in 1976, served as chairman of the Senate Revenue Committee. He was passionate about keeping property taxes low for homeowners, farmers, and ranchers and led the effort to amend the Wyoming Constitution to accommodate a tier tax system. Frisby was involved in establishing the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund and led the debate against the proposed medical school at the University of Wyoming. He served as State Staff Coordinator for Sen. Alan Simpson for six years. Frisby was a long-time supporter of Northwest College in Powell, serving on the Board of Trustees in the early 70s. He was influential in the historic expansion of the college district to include Cody and Meeteetse. He was vice president of the Northwest College Foundation Board of Directors for many years and chairman of the investment committee. In 1987, the college honored him by naming the Social Sciences building for him. He was past president of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, past commander of the American Legion Fred Coe Post #20, a charter member and past president of Cody Rotary, past chairman of the Park County Republican Party, a life member of the University of Wyoming Alumni Association and of the Cody Elks Lodge. He was active in the Masonic Lodge, having served as a past master of Shoshone Lodge No. 21 as well as a member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine. He was a long time active member of the Cody United Methodist Church. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Wyoming Community Foundation and was an appointee to the Wyoming Judicial Supervisory Commission. He is survived by three children, son Robert E. Frisby (Betty) of Boise, Idaho, son Donald R. Frisby (Judy) of Cody and daughter Gloria Hedderman (Larry) of Powell; brother Wayne Frisby of Arroyo Grande, Calif.; and sister, Mabel Jacquot of Casper; six grandchildren, Erika Frisby Huckabee (Jared) and Margaret Frisby of Cody, Kate Frisby Pinkalla (Tyler) of Waukesha, Wisc., Beth Frisby Voss (Bob) of Chicago, Josie Hedderman of Cody and Anne Hedderman of Laramie. He was preceded in death by wife Peg, of 50 years, his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Former Powell resident Hatsue (Lillian) Takeuchi, 94, died Tuesday, May 17 in San Jose, Calif.
She moved from Powell to San Jose in 1970. She is survived by two sons, Stan Takeuchi in Upland, Calif., and Richard Takeuchi in San Jose.
Funeral services for Tami Melinda (Fischer) Brech, 30, who died Tuesday, May 18 at her home in Tucson, Ariz., will be conducted Wednesday, May 26 at 4 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Powell. Visitation will be today (Tuesday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemeteery following Wednesday services. She was born to Alan and Linda (Mathey) Fischer on Feb. 22, 1974, in Martin, S.D. She became a child of God through baptism on March 24, 1974. She was energized in life, serving in the roles of youth group president at Immanuel Lutheran, cheerleading and vice president of her junior class, all while graduating from high school with honors. She received her associate's degree in elementary education from Northwest College. She moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 1994, where she was thrilled to be a teacher's aide at Zion Lutheran School. She met her husband, Dale, while at Zion, where they married on May 9, 1998. In May of 1999, they moved to Tucson, Ariz., where she finished her bachelor's degree in elementary education. She graduated with highest honors and a 4.0 grade point average from the College of Education, University of Arizona, in December 2002. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2000, yet still excelled in her education while undergoing chemotherapy and several surgeries. She always enjoyed taking a break from her active life to visit and volunteer at nursing homes. She walked every day of her life praising God for all of the blessings He had bestowed upon her. She served the Lord in many ways because of what He has done for her and the world by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). Her daily walk with Christ set an example for all of us. She is survived by her husband, Dale of Tucson, Ariz.; parents, Alan and Linda Fischer of Powell; brother, Troy Fishcer of Powell; grandparents, Lyle and Fran Fischer, and Lawrence and Jesse Backes, all of Rapid City, S.D.; and countless friends and relatives. Since her heart was always in Christian education, she requested that flowers not be sent, but rather contributions be made to Immanuel Lutheran Preschool, 223 E 5th St., Powell.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 20 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Jeannette M. Lee, 86, who died Wednesday evening, May 12 at the Powell Valley Care Center, hospice care unit.
Wake services will be Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home. Private burial of cremains will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery at a later date. She was born April 29, 1918, in Salmon, Idaho, daughter of Frank C. and Marie H. (Crowley) Miller. She attended public schools in Salmon and then attended Idaho State University at Pocatello where she received her B.S. degree in education. She then taught at a country school for one year. The next three years she taught in the Salmon, Idaho, public schools. Later, she attended Kinman Business Colllege in Spokane, Wash. She married Weldon R. Lee in Salmon on July 31, 1944. For two years they lived in Pullman, Wash., where he received his degree in veterinary medicine at Washington State University. She worked in the accounting department at the college. They moved to Salmon, Idaho, for two years, then moved to Powell where she lived until her death. She was a member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church and for several years was active in the Altar Society and Saint Mary's Circle. She was president of the Wyoming Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary for one year and a life member of the Powell Benevolent Order of Does #187. For many years she was active in helping her husband, Dr. W.R. Lee, at the veterinary clinic. She was an avid gardener. Survivors include her son, James Lee and two granddaughters, Jennifer Lee and Andrea Lee, all of Great Falls, Mont.; several nieces and one nephew; one sister-in-law, Fay Miller, of Pocatello, Idaho; and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Marie; and one son, Raymond. For those who wish, memorials may be made to St. Barbara's Poor or the charity of choice.
Clara Elizabeth Bessler - May 21
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, May 21 at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Clara Elizabeth (Gregory) Bessler, 96, who died Sunday, May 16 in Powell.
She was born April 12, 1908, in Bay City, Mich., to Simon (Gregoire) Gregory and Louise Hebert Gregory. She entered a convent at age 16, but returned to her family when she became homesick.
She worked for a while as a telephone operator, but her father had other plans. The family's landlord, Joseph John (J.J.) Bessler and Clara's father conspired to introduce their adult children by sending Clara to pay the rent. Bessler's son, Leo, thereafter always wore a sprig of lily of the valley in his hatband when he courted Clara. It must have charmed her. They were married on April 12, 1928, in Chicago.
By 1931, Leo's parents and brothers had homesteaded in Powell. Leo and Clara packed themselves, everything they had and their first child, Dorothy, into a Model T Ford and traveled to Powell to join the family on the East Willwood. J.J. Bessler died in 1933 and in 1941, Clara and Leo purchased the farm from Grandma Bessler. They worked the farm, raising crops and kids, until Leo's tragic death in 1966.
Clara is survived by two daughters and five sons: Rita Peterson (Pete) of Laurel, Mont.; Helen Brandes (John) of Moses Lake, Wash.; Leo E. (Nick) Bessler of Powell; Paul Bessler (Barbara) of Clancy, Mont.; Denis Bessler (Pat) of Helena, Mont.; Francis Bessler of Laramie; and Bob Bessler (Linda) of Powell; 22 grandchildren; at last count, 35 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and four sisters; her husband, Leo P. Bessler; her daughter, Dorothy Chapman; and her great-granddaughter, Teri Jo Bradish.
Clara is remembered by her family as a faithful member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church and a woman of great faith. She served as a founding board member of Powell's Senior Citizens Center and was active in the Willwood Women's Club and VFW Auxiliary for many years. She loved reading and participated in the Library Club, loved music and supported the Wyoming Fiddlers Association and loved to dance and did so beautifully and at every opportunity.
As the mother of eight children and a farmer's wife, Clara was a mom who accepted teasing and was known to dish it out as well. Her first language was French; for years she referred to the "little house out back" as "ma petit maison." She gardened and always had a row of flowers amongst the vegetables. She canned cupboards full of food every fall and was an excellent cook. She baked mountains of bread and patched a sea of blue jeans. She enjoyed sewing, hooking rugs, embroidery and ceramics. Well into her 80s, Clara committed herself to visiting "the old people" at the nursing home. She carried funny stories, cartoons, prayers and words of encouragement around in her purse (it was a really big purse!), just to share with her family and friends, all of whom will miss her loving presence very much.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, at St. Barbara's Catholic Church. Visitation will be one hour before the Thursday rosary and one hour before the Friday Mass. Christian burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Barbara's Catholic Church or the Powell Senior Citizen's Center. Arrangements are by Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home of Powell.
Graveside services will be conducted Thursday, May 27, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell for Michelle Marie (Mitzie) Ray, who died at her Powell home on Friday, May 21. She was 48. She was born Sept. 30, 1955, in Powell to L. Dwayne and Wilma (Van Vleet) LaFollette. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, employed by the Lamplighter Inn and active for several years in the Eagles Auxiliary and Eastern Star. She enjoyed her cats and spending time with her nieces and nephews, gardening and caring for animals. Survivors include her mother, Wilma LaFollette of Powell; two sisters, Tina Heny (Mike) of Powell and Dawn Roden (Gary) of Powell; and several nieces and nephews, Zachary and Ashtyn Heny; Rick Clifton, his wife Lisa and their children, Nikkole and Jadyn; and Scott Roden, his wife Carolyn and their children, Dillon, Amanda and Ashley. She was preceded in death by her father, L. Dwayne LaFollette; and a brother, William. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Caring for Powell Animals.
Former Powell resident Donald G. Matthews, 79, died May 25 at the home of his daughter, Kathy, in Chandler, Ariz., after a short illness.
After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, he moved to Powell where he was employed by Marathon Pipeline Company. He married and made Powell his home for many years.
He loved fishing, hunting and camping. In his early years, he played softball and later coached the Marathon women's softball team. He participated in local bowling leagues.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a charter member of the Powell chapter.
Survivors include his wife Julia in Chandler, Ariz.; two daughters, Patricia Matthews of Riverdale, Ga., and Kathy Kelley of Chandler, Ariz. He also leaves behind two granddaughters, Beth and Kim, and a great-grandson, Tyler.
Cremation has taken place. No services are planned.
Mary Naomi Wilson Felix Pollet - May 26
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 1 at the Byron LDS Chapel for Mary Naomi Wilson Felix Pollet, 95, who died Wednesday, May 26 at Powell Valley Care Center.
She was born Dec. 12, 1908, the fourth daughter of six born to Jason Crichton and Millesant Wheelock Wilson. Her birthplace was a ranch near Fort Bridger. Though she lived many places, the Bridger Valley and Mountain View were always home.
Her education began in Mountain View and Robertson. She was the last living member of the Mountain View High School graduating class of 1925. She completed her formal education with a teaching certificate from Laramie.
She married Johnie Felix on May 23, 1926, in Evanston. They were joined by sons Wilson J. and Jerry Dwayne. Tragically, Johnie's life was short due to ill health.
On March 14, 1945, she married Charles Burl Pollet (Buck) in Ely, Nev. Soon, there were new additions to the family. Pete was stillborn, a sad occurrence; then came daughters Christy Ellen and Jicki Val, followed by another much-welcomed son, Charles Burl Jr. (Chuck).
Following the oil booms, the family lived many places in Wyoming, Texas, Nebraska, Utah, Montana, Colorado and the Dakotas. They always returned to Mountain View, finally retiring there.
As age and ill health took its toll, Naomi and Buck decided to relocate closer to family. They moved to Powell 12 years ago, and Naomi resided at the Powell Valley Care Center for four and a half years after breaking her hip. She gained new friends and had great care there. She looked forward to the many visits of family members and the Happy Hour music. The LDS sacrament meetings were so important to her until she became very ill.
She was an active member of the LDS Church most of her life. She loved to dance and sing, play basketball and ride horses. She enjoyed genealogy research, wrote poems and stories and was the "family communicator" until her eyesight failed. Most of all, she loved her family and husband. She and Buck enjoyed many a card game in the last few years.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Buck Pollet; her children, Wilson Felix, Jerry Felix (Flo), Christy Petrich (John), Jicki Brown (Mike) and Chuck Pollet (Gloria); 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her five sisters, Ouida Mae Wilson, Juanita Finnegan (Bill), Harriet Maude (Peggy) Wood (Charles), Dorothea May Sumner (Keith) and Edney Foy Schanche (Otto); her husband, Johnie Felix, in 1944; daughter-in-law Gladys Mae Felix; several nieces and nephews and grandson, Jerry Brionne Tanner.
Burial was in Byron Cemetery. Haskell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elinor Stine Catterall, a pioneer Wyoming schoolteacher and descendant of early settlers, died Thursday, May 27 at a Denver area nursing home. She was 88.
A resident of Powell since 1950, she had most recently resided at Life Care Center of Littleton after a series of debilitating hip injuries.
She retired from teaching in Powell in 1982, ending a career in education that began 46 years earlier in a converted bunkhouse at a remote ranch south of Mountain View in the Uinta Mountains of southwestern Wyoming.
She was active in community and professional organizations, serving as corresponding secretary and member of numerous committees in the Wyoming chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary education society. Her accomplishments are cited in the society's three-volume "Let Your Light Shine: Pioneer Women Educators of Wyoming."
Her great-grandparents on her mother's side arrived in Uinta County in 1867, her mother's maternal grandparents emigrating to the United States from Wales nine years earlier and traveling on to Wyoming by wagon train. About the same time, her mother's paternal grandparents came from Ireland and traveled by rail to the Union Pacific Railroad's end of the line, at that point, Bear River City. The family moved to Almy a year later after a riotous gun battle turned Bear River City into a ghost town. Both sets of great-grandparents settled in Evanston.
Elinor Stine, born in Evanston on April 2, 1916, was valedictorian of her high school class in Evanston and attended the University of Wyoming for two years. At the university, she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Her first teaching assignment was in 1936 at Thunder Mountain rural school at a ranch where she lived during the school year with her four pupils. She recalled hiring a rancher after one Christmas break to return her to school by sleigh warmed by a wood stove. She normally rode horseback for seven miles to catch a school bus to Robertson.
She married Willard Catterall, her college sweetheart, in 1938, resulting in a temporary end to her teaching career - married women were not hired in those years as schoolteachers. The family lived in Gillette, Midwest, Elk Basin, Powell and Worland before her husband's 1962 death in North Dakota, where the family lived for a year while he supervised construction and subsequent operation of an oil refinery.
After her husband's death, she returned to college and obtained her education degree from Eastern Montana College, now Montana State University at Billings. She returned to Powell to renew her teaching career, embracing new teaching methods, becoming involved in an experimental reading program for second graders and engaging in team-teaching at Powell's modular Westside School when it opened in 1970.
She belonged to the Presbyterian Church and served as program chairwoman and president of the Powell Fine Arts Club. She also served on the Powell Hospital Foundation Board and, after her retirement, as a volunteer at Powell Library and its literacy program.
She is survived by sons John (Diane), of Tampa, Fla., and Story; Lee, of Kapolei, Hawaii; and Stephen (Sue) of Littleton, Colo.; four grandchildren: Matthew of Austin, Texas; Andrew of San Francisco, Calif.; and Peter and Brita of Littleton. Memorial services are scheduled Saturday, July 10 at 10 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell.
The Rev. David Hunter will preside at services. A reception will follow at the home of Esther Brumage.
For those who wish, memorials to the Powell Library through the Park County Library Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 1 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lovell for Doris Jean Baxendale, who died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, May 28 after a lengthy battle with respiratory failure. She was 73. She was born Aug. 28, 1930, to Adolf Doerr and Frieda (Lohrenz) Doerr in Lovell. She was raised on a farm east of Lovell, attended Lovell schools and graduated from Lovell High School in 1948. She then attended Billings Business College. On Oct. 22, 1950, she married Gerald Dean Baxendale in Lovell. To this union were born six children. She enjoyed staying home and raising her children. Her interests included decorating her home, creating flower gardens and maintaining family traditions. She spent many years as a volunteer "Flower Lady," beautifying Lovell's Main Street. She was honored by the chamber of commerce as "Citizen of the Year," and also as Grand Marshall for the Rose Parade in 1999. She was also a volunteer for the Care Center, decorating the dining rooms. She was a lifelong member of St. John's Episcopal Church. Survivors include her husband, Gerald of Lovell; sons Scott (Pat) Baxendale, Brad (Tami) Baxendale and children Pete, Kasi and Kade, Neil Baxendale (Jodi) and children Morgan, McKay and Mandi, all of Lovell, and son Todd (Robin) Baxendale and children Kristine and Maddison of Ft. Worth, Texas; daughter Julie (Vance) Fisher and children Spencer (Jana) and Austin of Worden, Mont.; one brother, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Donald.