Sharon Lee Purcell ~ November 1, 2002
Edward Villareal ~ November 2, 2002
LeeRoy Allen ~ November 3, 2002
Zelma Webb ~ November 4, 2002
Viola Hopkins ~ November 5, 2002
Glen L. Frame ~ November 7, 2002
John George Eckerman ~ November 10, 2002
Charlene Theresa Hall ~ November 11, 2002
Bill Clark, Sr. ~ November 13, 2002
Hazel Irene Powell ~ November 14, 2002
Lillian A. Knudson ~ November 14, 2002
David L. Moberg ~ November 15, 2002
Anna L. Randall ~ November 15, 2002
Sharon A. Presley ~ November 23, 2002
Sharon Lee Purcell ~ November 1
Sharon Lee Purcell, 59, died Friday, Nov. 1 at her Powell
home, 390 Lane 7 1/2.
She was born Aug. 23, 1943, in Casper to James W. Walker and Carmen (Shane)
Walker. She attained a high school education and married Richard Purcell in
Powell in 1980.
Her biggest joy in life was her three children, also taking care of animals
and spending time with her three grandsons. She was kind and generous when
it came to providing for all animals, and she dedicated many hours to taking
care of wild animals.
She was a proud follower of her grandchildren and loved to listen to their
tales of young life. Despite the fact her body was failing, she participated
in their education and activities by sharing her love and faith in their talents.
Perhaps most important, she shared herself with the people she was closest
to. Her family will remember that she was a woman of strong convictions and
her character touched many who knew her. She will be missed as a sister, wife,
mother, grandmother and friend.
Survivors include her husband, Richard Purcell of Powell; a son, Michael Purcell
and his wife Virginia of Rapid City, S.D.; two daughters, Tori Purcell and
Teri Miller, both of Rapid City; a brother, James (Mick) Walker of Powell;
and four grandchildren, Tristin Martin, 18, of Gillette, Nicholas Purcell,
10, and Davis Purcell, 9, of Rapid City, and Lane Miller, 8, of Rapid City.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
For those who wish, memorials to the National Wildlife Federation, in care
of Mick Walker, 418 East 8th, Powell, WY 82435, would be appreciated by the
family.
Funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 2 at St. Philomene Church
in Sacramento, Calif., for Edward Villareal, 88, former Powell resident who
died Thursday, Oct. 28 in Sacramento.
He was born Oct. 13, 1914, in Devine, Texas. He was a long-time resident of
Powell where he worked for Heasler Plumbing. He served in the U.S. Navy during
World War II and later moved to Sacramento in 1956.
He worked at the Sacramento Cannery and later secured a position with the Los
Rios Community College District from 1957 to 1983. While working full-time,
he was a member of several bands, playing guitar, bass, drums and providing
vocals. He worked on Saturdays, helping family and friends with plumbing, carpentry,
electrical, roofing and car mechanical problems.
He was an active member of St. Joseph's School and Church, volunteering his
time as folk Mass worship leader and president of the Patron's Club. Later
he volunteered at St. Philomene's Church, participating in "Sharing His
Bounty," a ministry to feed the homeless; providing carpentry; and participating
in the church census.
He will be remembered for his passion for life, his smile, telling stories
and jokes and the deep love he had for his family.
Survivors include his wife, Elvira Villareal of Sacramento; his son and daughter-in-law,
David and Anne Villareal and their children, Nicholas, Grace and Emily Villareal
of Carmel Valley, Calif.; his daughter and son-in-law, Dolores and Bob Levine
of La Canada, Calif.; his children from a previous marriage, J. Falgout, D.
Hudson, E. Villareal, M. Lane and F. Villareal and their families; his older
sister, Hortencia V. Garcia; and numerous nieces, nephews, brother and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services are scheduled today (Thursday) at the LDS
Church in Burlington at 11 a.m. for Lee R. Allen, 59, who died Sunday, Nov.
3 of a heart attack after enjoying a successful day of deer hunting with his
youngest son.
He was active in the dry edible bean industry for many years as both a farmer
and grain elevator operator. In 1972, he established Midwest Bean Company in
Hecton, Minn., and led the company's growth into several plant sites in Minnesota,
North Dakota and Wyoming.
He loved to hunt, fish and spend time with his family and friends, who will
dearly miss him.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, and son Trevin Allen of the family home
in Burlington; daughters Camy Reiser and husband Les of Haney Falls, Minn.,
and Stacy Sweet and husband Tracy of Powell; sons Victor Allen and wife Pam
of Kingsport, Tenn., Lee J. Allen and wife Kelly of Meeteetse, Bo Allen and
wife Brenda of Powell, and Tim Allen and wife Tarra of Powell; sisters Dorothy
Reid and husband Melvin of Basin, Betty Anderson of Basin, Sonny Pederson and
husband Jim of Worland; and Beverly Dooley and husband Russell of Worland;
brothers Leslie Allen and wife Dorothy of Burlington, Brad Allen and wife Patty
of Ft. Bridger and Troy Allen of Rapid City, S.D.; and 13 grandchildren.
Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday. Burial will follow in the Burlington
Cemetery.
A funeral service for Zelma Webb, 95, formerly of Powell,
was held Saturday, Nov. 9 at Cheney-Witt Memorial Chapel in Ft. Scott, Kans.
Burial was in the Deerfield, Mo., Cemetery.
Mrs. Webb died Nov. 4 at Garden Square in Casper.
She was born June 25, 1907, in Vernon County, Mo., to John Franklin and Anna
Magdalene Strite Winter.
In 1934, she married Philip Webb in Girard, Kans. She was employed at the Open
Front Dept. Store in Pittsburg until 1940.
In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. Webb moved to Powell where she opened and ran a handmade
gift shop in her home. In 1960, they moved to Green River where they owned
and operated the Service Automotive Store until they retired in 1972. She moved
to Casper in 1997.
She was a member of the Union Congregational Church in Green River.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Don Deyo of Casper.
She was preceded in death by her husband and 11 brothers and sisters.
Memorials may be made to the Casper Humane Society, 260 Crescent Dr., Mt. View
Addn., Casper, WY 82604.
Viola Hopkins, 76, died Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the Powell Nursing
Home.
She was born in Tuttle, N.D., on Sept. 3, 1926, to Jacob and Amelia (Melhoff)
Hinkle. She was raised in northern Minnesota and graduated from high school
in Williams.
She married Lincoln Hopkins on Jan. 26, 1947, in International Falls, Minn.
She spent most of her life as a homemaker and later worked for a Headstart
Program for which she received many awards.
She enjoyed crafting, quilting, playing bingo, working with plants in her daughter
Sally's greenhouse and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughters, Wanda Dobbs and Sally Bennet (Owen) of Powell,
and Shirley Streiter (Tim) of Norway, Mich.; sons Leonard and Stanley Hopkins
of Little Falls, Minn., Stephen (Laura) and George Hopkins of St. Cloud, Minn.,
Jacob Hopkins of Tacoma, Wash., and Russell and Eugene Hopkins of Selah, Wash.;
grandchildren Bessie Holdsworth (Scott) of Powell, Jodi McDonald, Chat Puttonen,
Bryan Puttonen (Brenda), Shawn Bennet, Aaron Bennet (Chelsea), Amanda Gutierrez
(Jorge), Johnathan and Violet Hopkins, Joshua Hopkins, Justin, Jason and Jesse
Hopkins; and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lincoln; two daughters; one
son; two sisters and three brothers.
Service and burial will take place at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, St. Paul,
Minn., at a later date. She will be sadly missed by her family.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15
at the Deaver Cemetery in Deaver for Glen L. Frame, former Deaver-Frannie area
resident, who died at his home in Custer, Mont., Thursday, Nov. 7 following
a sudden heart attack. He was 73.
A memorial service is scheduled today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. in the Custer Gym
in Custer, Mont.
He was born to George and Beulah Frame on March 5, 1929, and married Glorianne
Lohrenz of Deaver in 1952. He grew up near Kane.
He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Brian and Connie Johnson
and Steve and Cindy Inman; a sister, Georgia Close; and six brothers, Elmer,
Ralph, Tom, Hugh, Dave and Warren Frame; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John George Eckerman ~ November 10
Funeral services for John George Eckerman, 86, who died Sunday,
Nov. 10 at the Powell Nursing Home, will be conducted today (Thursday) at 11
a.m. at the Bennett Butte Baptist Church in Clark.
Mr. Eckerman was born Oct. 20, 1916, in Ranchester, son of John and Regina
(Thomas) Eckerman. He was raised in Sheridan and Bridger, Mont.
He entered service with the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the European
Theater.
On June 3, 1946, he married Ada May Weathermon in Billings, Mont. They lived
in Bridger until they moved to Clark in 1951 where they farmed.
He loved western music, singing, playing cards and the mountains around Clark.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife, Ada of Clark; daughters Sonja Black of Powell,
Gayle Brunsvold of Peoria, Ariz., Linda Eckerman of Red Lodge, Mont., and Margo
Henderson of Powell; sisters Anna Maydeck, Katherine Jacobs and Flora Marks,
all of San Jose, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, Lexy Harris, Aaron Black, Curtis
Brunsvold, Stuart Brunsvold, Seth Brunsvold, Sarah Randash, Charlotte Randash,
Tye Henderson, Tess Miller, and Stacey Henderson; and three great-grandchildren,
Garett Henderson, Wyatt Henderson and Cassidy Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Martha Grey and Dorothy
Powell.
Burial will follow services in the Bennett Butte Cemetery in Clark. Following
the committal service, a luncheon will be held at the Clark Recreation Center.
Memorials may be made to the Powell Nursing Home.
Charlene Theresa Hall ~ November 11
Former Powell resident Charlene Theresa Hall, 71, of White
Rock, N.M., died Monday, Nov. 11 after a lengthy illness.
She was recently preceded in death by her husband, Vinson Hall, and brother,
Phil Kopriva.
The Halls moved to Los Alamos, N.M., when Los Alamos was still the Secret City.
She was active in her community as former president of PEO, president of the
Los Alamos Retired Educators Association and a member of Immaculate Heart of
Mary Catholic Church.
She was a founder of the Los Alamos Special Education Program and devoted her
time to the nurturing of special education children.
Survivors include her daughter, Zandra Hall-Chong and husband Garret of Coldpsprings,
Texas; her son, Patrick Hall and wife Julie of California; and five grandchildren.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Immaculate Heart of
Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10
a.m. on Saturday, with interment to follow in the Guaje Pines Cemetery.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, Nov. 20 at
1 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lovell for Bill Clark, Sr., 64, of
Byron who died Wednesday, Nov. 13 of complications from diabetes and renal
failure.
He was born William Dwin Clark on June 29, 1938, in Burlington, the 15th of
16 children born to Sheldon Joseph Clark and Emma Amanda (Mecham) Clark. There
were eight girls and eight boys in the family.
His father died when he was 9, so the younger boys had to help on the home
place at Burlington. He also worked on ranches and on some of the farms around
Burlington as his older brothers often took him to whatever ranch they were
working on during summer breaks.
He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and spent his tour on the aircraft carrier
U.S.S. Lexington in the Pacific.
He worked on many jobs, truck driving, groundskeeper and dairy herdsman in
Hawaii, but he enjoyed the drilling industry the most in Utah and all parts
of Wyoming, because he enjoyed the excitement of bringing in a good well and
seeing new country.
He finally put down permanent roots in 1984 in Byron. His last job was with
the Wyoming Game & Fish Department as construction foreman on the Yellowtail
Habitat Unit. He was injured on the job and was on disability from 1996.
He enjoyed anything outdoors- camping, fishing, riding his horses or just plain
driving around looking for wildlife. He enjoyed guns and shooting.
He also liked helping people and was always "on call" if someone
needed an extra set of hands.
He is survived by his wife Candy of the family home in Byron; a son, William
Clark, Jr. and wife Manuela and granddaughter Tiffany of Reichelsheim, Germany;
his daughter from a previous marriage, Kimberly Heiser and husband David and
granddaughter Stephanie of Laurel, Mont.; a sister, Velma Lynch of Hudson;
a brother, Jay Clark and wife Judy of Ralston; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and six brothers and seven sisters.
He and Candy are members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lovell. A gathering
celebrating his life will be held at the family home in Byron following the
services.
Lillian A. Knudson ~ November 14
Memorial services will be conducted Wednesday, Nov. 27 at
3 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church for Lillian H. Knudson, 93, who died Sunday
evening, Nov. 14 at the Powell Nursing Home.
Pastor Clyde Seifert will officiate at the Wednesday services.
Lillian Hanna Bertina Grosfield (a name she later learned to love) was born
March 20, 1909, in Big Timber, Mont. Though raised on a ranch 13 miles from
town, her schooling took place in Big Timber.
After graduating from high school, she attended St. Olaf College in Northfield,
Minn., where she graduated with a B.A. degree in English in 1933. While visiting
her sister in Iola, Wisc., she met Maurice Knudson, and they were married on
Jan. 9, 1935.
They moved to Powell and lived here three years. After her mother died, her
father asked Lillian and Maurice to help him run the Big Timber ranch. After
six years on the ranch, they moved back to Powell.
She lived a rich and full life. Her enjoyments were any card game, from double
solitaire to bridge, and she took great pleasure in playing a wicked game of
Scrabble. Some of the hobbies to which she was committed were PEO, Girl Scout
leader, Sunday School teacher and in a weak moment, the bowling league she
joined.
As one of the founding members of both Trinity Lutheran Church in Cody and
Hope Lutheran Church in Powell, she showed her love and commitment to the Lutheran
Church.
Her winters in Palm Desert, Calif., gave her great pleasure, as she loved the
desert in all of its moods. The summers spent at the Knudson cabin at East
Rosebud Lake in Montana, where she fished, hiked and boated, were wonderful
times. She had fun going with her husband to many different colleges and sharing
in his work.
Survivors include her husband Maurice of Powell; a daughter, Louise Haggerty
and husband Al of Denver; grandchildren Jane Krader and husband Pete of Pune,
India, and John Haggerty and wife Yoshie of San Francisco; a great-granddaughter,
Sonia; a son-in-law, Paul Whiting of Billings and his children, Maureen of
Seattle and Allan of Portland, Ore.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers and one sister; and
her beloved daughter, Dorothy.
Should friends desire, memorials might be made to Hope Lutheran Church or a
charity of donor's choice.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Irene Powell ~ November 14
Hazel Irene Powell, mother of Kay Lebruska of Powell, died
Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Powell Nursing Home. She was 81.
Funeral services were held in Benkelman, Neb., Monday, Nov. 18. Should friends
desire, memorials may be made to the family or a charity of choice.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, Nov. 18 at the First
United Methodist Church in Sheridan for Anna L. Randall, 77, of Sheridan who
died Friday, Nov. 15 in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County.
She was the mother of Gregg Randall of Powell.
She was born Nov. 25, 1924, in Monarch, Wyo., to Ernest and Anna Louella (Morgan)
Kester. She grew up and attended elementary schools in the Ash Creek area,
then attended and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1942.
She then worked for the telephone company in Denver, Colo.
She married Robert W. Randall in Sheridan on Jan. 13, 1946. She worked for
an insurance company in Sheridan for a short period of time after their marriage,
then devoted her life to being a mother and a homemaker. Mrs. Randall enjoyed
spending time on her ranch on Ash Creek, being with the cattle and farming.
She had been a member of Job's Daughters and was a member of the Methodist
Church in Sheridan.
Survivors include her husband, Bob, of Sheridan; one son, Gregg Randall of
Powell; one daughter, Deborah Saunders of Houston, Texas; one brother, Richard
Kester of Pennsylvania; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
The Rev. Douglas Goodwin officiated at Monday afternoon services. Burial was
in the Acacia Section, Masonic Lodge #43 in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Memorials to Mrs. Randall may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, in care
of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
A former Wyoming Highway Patrolman based in Powell, David
L. Moberg, died Friday, Nov. 15 in Seattle, Wash. He was 67.
Memorial services are planned for mid-summer in Newcastle.
He was born March 12, 1935, to John and Beatrice Moberg. He grew up in Wyoming
and the Black Hills area, graduating from high school in Newcastle. He attended
college in Missoula, Mont.
On Oct. 10, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Claralee Chittim,
in Newcastle. They were married for 48 years, when she died just a few months
ago on Aug. 18, 2002. Shortly before their marriage, Mr. Moberg enlisted in
the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.
He dedicated his life to his family, his work and his philosophy. A Renaissance
man, he was proud and independent, preferring to blaze his own trail. He preferred
a gentle manner, no need to force his way, and was fiercely proud of his "home" in
Wyoming. He loved the Indian Paintbrush, the sound of the meadowlark and often
commented upon how the smell of sagebrush reminded him of home.
He served with the Wyoming Highway Patrol until 1972 and operated his own business
until 1976. He spent a great deal of his life working with his hands as a carpenter,
and in his later years, as a general contractor in the Seattle area.
He loved to fish and was an avid gun collector. He enjoyed a rich conversation
over a good meal to any dog and pony show. He preferred the open country of
his beloved Wyoming and often talked of the simplicity he enjoyed within her
borders.
Survivors include two children, Mitchell of Lynwood, Wash., and Karen of Burien,
Wash.; two grandchildren, Beverly and Deborah; one sister, Judy Kemp of Sioux
Falls, S.D.; and one brother, Curt Moberg of Sundance.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Claralee; his parents; one brother, Kenneth;
and a daughter, Brekkilyn.
Interment and memorial services will be held jointly with his wife at a later
date in Newcastle.
Sharon A. Presley ~ November 23
Sharon A. (Robbins) Presley died Saturday, Nov. 23 at her
home in Port Orchard, Wash. She was 61.
She was born in Powell on Aug. 20, 1941, to William (Cap) Robbins and Olga
(Meinhart) Robbins. She was baptized, confirmed and married in Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Powell.
She graduated from Powell High School and married Delbert L. Presley in 1963.
To this union, three children were born.
She was a member of the Lutheran Church in Port Orchard for many years.
Survivors include her children: son John W. Presley of Silverdale, Wash, and
two daughters, Brenda K. Presley of Tacoma, Wash., and Kimberly E. Presley
of the family home in Port Orchard; two grandchildren, Jacqueline and Aaron
Presley of Tacoma; her mother, Olga Meinhart Robbins of Powell; sister Cheryl
and husband Harold Zundel of Laurel, Mont.; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews
and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, William (Cap) Robbins; and brother,
Perry W. Robbins.
Funeral services will be held at the Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, with
burial at Bremerton, Wash., Friday, Nov. 29.