OCTOBER 2004
Edwin (Eddie) Wiley Oldman ~ Oct. 6, 2004
Ella J. Heimsoth ~ Oct. 6, 2004
Maurice H. Knutson ~ Oct. 9, 2004
Richard Dean Bushey ~ Oct. 10, 2004
Rodney Gene Miears ~ Oct. 18, 2004
Angel Lopez ~ Oct. 20, 2004
Bill D. Sand ~ Oct. 21, 2004
Hettie M. Rood ~ Oct. 22, 2004
Patrick D. Teasdale ~ Oct. 24, 2004
Helen Maurine Taylor Wilson ~ Oct. 26, 2004
Phyllis Elaine Stockwell ~ Oct. 29, 2004
Mari Lynne Lekarczyk ~ Oct. 31, 2004
Susan Barbara Hamlin Nichols ~ Oct. 31, 2004
Edwin (Eddie) Wiley Oldman - Oct. 6
Eddie Oldman, 59, Powell, died Wednesday, Oct. 6 at the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a five-year battle with cancer.
He was born May 26, 1945, son of Willford and Irene "Plant" Immel, in Wooster, Ohio. He received his education in Ohio before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970. He spent three years in Vietnam as a sniper.
He married his soulmate, Rita J. Durand, in West Memphis, Ark. Being Native American Lakota Sioux, he insisted on a Native American ceremony. As a result, on June 8, 1996, they had two weddings.
On June 15, 1996, he moved his new bride to a completely new way of life. He had traveled this area many times during his years as a truck driver. He loved this area and the people.
After retiring in 2000, he turned his attention to veterans work. He was Commander of Heart Mountain DAV Chapter 11, Commander of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 927, Wyoming State Jr. Commander for the DAV, and First Vice Commander and a trustee in Hughes-Pittinger American Legion Post 26 of Powell. He was a certified state service officer for the State of Wyoming.
He was also instrumental in starting the DAV Transportation Network for transporting veterans to and from medical appointments in Powell, Sheridan or Billings, Mont. The past two years of his life have been entirely dedicated to the welfare of veterans.
Survivors include his wife, Rita, of Powell; four daughters, Judy (Louie) Gutierrez of San Antonio, Texas, Amber (Mike) Bynum of Blythervill, Ark., Ashley Canoy of Millington, Tenn., and Paula (Damon) Parker of Mize, Miss.; and grandchildren Monique, Matthew, Natalie and Briana Gutierrez; Leah, Michael, London and Dustin Bynum; Brett Canoy; and Ciera, Priscilla, Damon Jr. and Dillyn Parker. He is also survived by his beloved mother-in-law, Iva Young of West Plains, Mo.; his aunts and uncles of Wooster, Ohio, Norm and Pat Immel and Blain and Mary Immel; and his beloved dog, Chantay, who misses him very much.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Harvest Worship Center in Cody at 1:30 p.m. Burial with full military honors, provided by the U.S. Marine Corps League of Billings, of which he was a member, will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Powell, at 3:30 p.m.
The infant great-granddaughter of former Powell residents died Wednesday, Oct. 6 in Edmond, Okla.
Ella Joy Heimsoth was born Oct. 2 at Renaissance Hospital in Edmond. From birth to death four days later, she struggled daily to live.
Great-grandparents Ivan and Norma Heimsoth, formerly of Powell, preceded her in death. Ivan Heimsoth was manager of Powell Lumber Co. in the 1950s and moved to Cheyenne to operate a lumber yard.
The child's parents are Ivan (Butch) and Angie Heimsoth III of Gutrie, Okla. Other survivors include the grandparents, Ed and Jerry Heimsoth of Cheyenne.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 16 at Hope Lutheran Church in Powell at 2 p.m. for Maurice H. (Maury) Knutson, 92, who died Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Powell Nursing Home.
He was born Aug. 24, 1912, the son of Clarence M. and Lillie J. Nelson Knutson, in Climax, Minn.
His rich career in business and education included banking, ranching, implement dealership and Lutheran College administration. He had many stories to tell from his year's experiences.
One of the most traumatic things in his life was his involvement in the Earl Durand robbery at First National Bank in Powell in March of 1939. He was forced at gunpoint by Durand to open the bank vault and then was tied together in a human hostage chain with two others as Durand attempted to escape the bank. Later he would say, "I saw very, very little chance of getting out of this (alive)."
He did survive, and at his death, he was the last survivor of the events of that terrible day.
His family will remember him as a multi-faceted man, generous and kind, whose best moments were being with friends and telling stories. He had music in his soul, and no one could interfere with his Saturday night date with Lawrence Welk. He played instruments by ear. If you could hum it, he could play it. Music and endless time on the lathe were his enjoyments, and family members will treasure mementos from those years.
Powell was his home of choice. His love of Powell started when he became cashier of the First National Bank in the Depression year of 1936. Though subsequent career experiences took him away, he always came home.
His career in banking began in 1929 in Rosholt. Wisc. After marrying Lillian Grosfield on Jan. 10, 1935, it didn't take long for her to say, "Small town Wisconsin is ok, but we will go West, young man." He never looked back.
Survivors include a daughter, Louise Haggerty of Denver; a sister, Ruth Behrend of Watertown, Wisc.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian; a daughter, Dorothy; a brother, Charles; and his parents.
Memorial contributions to Hope Lutheran Church or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. at the New Life Christian Fellowship in Powell for Rodney Gene Miears, 45, who died at his home in Cody on Oct. 18.
He was born Sept. 3, 1959, in Buffalo to Doyle Ray and Norma Gail Burris Miears. He was raised in Buffalo, then Michigan and later Florida, before going back to the Buffalo area. He moved with family to the Powell-Cody area in 1996.
He married Laura Burke Oct. 7, 1991, in Buffalo. They were later divorced.
He liked hunting, fishing and most anything outdoors. Most of all, he loved his kids, taking care of them and spending as much time as possible with them.
Survivors include his children, Tabitha Armstrong of Powell, Rodney Miears of Cody, and Sage, Paris and Dylon Miears, all of Powell; his father, Doyle, of Cody; his brothers, Brad of Florida, Randy of Idaho and Mike of Powell; and his maternal grandmother, Ida Lee Burris of Buffalo.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Gail Burris Miears.
Cremation has taken place.
Richard Dean Bushey, 48, Las Vegas, Nev., died Sunday, Oct. 10.
He was born in Powell and was a resident of Las Vegas for 43 years. He attended Clark High School, graduating in 1974. He then attended UNLV and was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He was the owner and designer of the Dancing Machine Van in the '70s in Las Vegas. He was an engineer for 14 years at the Golden Nugget Casino.
He married Laura Batista in April of 1983. To this union were born two sons, Tyler and Brian Bushey. He was a devoted father and loved spending time with his children.
Survivors include his wife, Laura; his sons, Tyler and Brian, all of Las Vegas; his parents, Tom and Elaine Bushey of Powell and Boulder City, Nev.; and his brother, Steve Bushey of Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his sister, Julie Lynn Bushey.
A memorial service is scheduled Friday, Oct. 19 at 3:30 p.m. at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas. Memorial contributions to a special strust for the Bushey Family at Bank of America, account # 004967714590, would be appreciated by the family.
Angel Lopez, 64, Powell, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 20 at Powell Valley Healthcare.
Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home, and Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Barbara's Catholic Church. Burial will folllow in Crown Hill Cemetery.
A full obituary will follow in Tuesday's Tribune.
Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Oct. 23 at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Angel Lopez, 64, who died Wednesday, Oct. 20 in Powell.
He was born Oct. 1, 1940, in La Gralla, Texas, son of Jose Lopez and Juana Garcia Lopez. He attended high school at Rio Grande City and married Antonia Juarez in Powell on Aug. 29, 1964.
He was a farmer by trade and lived in Powell where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Antonia Lopez of Powell; four daughters and sons-in-law, Imelda and Jorge Chapa, Norma and Blake Ford and Sylvia and Michael Snyder, all of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Udelia and Bryan Taggart of Sandy, Utah; three brothers, Manuel (Irma) Lopez of Powell, Jose (Ofelia) Lopez, Jr. and Guadalupe (Ela) Lopez, both of La Gralla, Texas; two sisters, Beatrice Solis (Adolfo) of La Gralla, Texas, and Celedina Juarez (Delfino) of Powell; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Petra Lopez.
Father Pete Johnson officiated at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Funeral service for long-time Powell resident Bill D. Sand, 75, will be today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Saint Barbara's Catholic Church, preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.
Father Pete Johnson will officiate at services, with burial following in Crown Hill Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at St. Barbara's after services. Mr. Sand died Thursday, Oct. 21 in the Loma Linda Veterans Hospital in California after a long illness.
He was born Dec. 29, 1928, in Hollenberg, Kans., to Elma and Ralph Sand. He married Louise Cossette of Fargo, N.D., on Feb. 2, 1952. He served as a S/Sgt. in the United States Air Force. He was a radar operator for the 785th Aircraft Control and Warning Station at Finley Air Force Station in North Dakota. His military distinctions include the 785th Airman of the Month, the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was later awarded the Certificate of Commendation by the Department of Defense "in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service to the citizens of Powell and the Powell Civil Defense Agency" as a member of the Powell Community Shelter Planning Policy Council.
He was a well-known and skilled outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish across the region. He taught local fly-fishing classes, coached Little League baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, and Men's Fast Pitch softball for many years. He ran several successful Powell-based businesses during his lifetime, including Valley Carpet and Elkhorn Enterprises. He settled his family just east of the city of Powell with a beautiful view of Heart Mountain, where he raised Arabian horses and developed Sand Subdivision.
Survivors include his wife Louise of Powell; daughter Julie (Joe) Sanders of Athens, Ga.; son Mike (Shannon) Sand of San Diego, Calif.; three sisters, LuAnn Borders of Powell, Peggy Haworth of Cody and Jean (George) Paumer of Basin; two nieces, Mandy Borders and Carol (Ron) Tebbets; five nephews, Jason Borders, John Haworth, Dave Paumer, Rich Paumer, and Steve Paumer; and two grandchildren, Helena Sanders and William Sanders.
His parents, and also his brother, Tom Sand, who died in active duty in Vietnam, preceded him in death.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted today (Tuesday) at 3 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery for Hettie M. Rood, 96, who died Friday, Oct. 22 at the Powell Valley Care Center.
She married Clyde Rood on Sept. 17, 1930. They had one daughter, Elvira.
She enjoyed her nieces and nephews and played a big part in their lives.
Survivors include her sister, Geneva Kendall of Powell; and nieces and nephews, Eva and Jim Havens of Joliet, Mont., Don and Sue Hammontree of Powell, Gail Kendall of Reed Spring, Mo., Jewell and Jack Crowley of Oklahoma, Eva Sue Escemillo and Marge and Jim Yates of California, plus great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter.
Viewing will be from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home ahead of graveside services.
Patrick Donald Teasdale, 18, of Powell, died Sunday, Oct. 24 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont.
He was born June 8, 1986, in Las Cruces, N.M., to Donald and Susan Teasdale.
He was a natural athlete. He loved to play football and baseball. He played in several leagues from Ohio to Nevada to Wyoming. He also loved snowboarding at Red Lodge Mountain in Montana. He had planned to attend Northwest Community College in Powell and learn to weld. Pat was currently employed by Park County Concrete.
Survivors include his parents of Henderson, Nev.; three sisters, Patricia Teasdale of Powell, Tina Marie Teasdale of Las Vegas, Nev., and Cheryl (Todd) Bliss of Tulsa, Okla.; one brother, Brandon (Linda) Teasdale of Henderson; six nieces, McKenna Lee Cross, Katheryn and Cameryn Bliss, Heather, Stephanie, and Elizabeth Satcher; two nephews, Cayden Cross and Michael Satcher.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home in Powell. Cremation has taken place.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to Normative Services, 5 Lane Ln, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Arrangements are being made by Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service of Billings.
Helen Maurine Taylor Wilson - Oct. 26
Helen Maurine Taylor Wilson died Tuesday, Oct. 26 at the Powell Hospital following a brief illness. She was 101.
She was born Helen Maurine Taylor on May 3, 1903, to Noland and Elizabeth (Shouse) Taylor in Nelson, Mo. She graduated from high school and began teaching in rural schools around Nelson. She took "normal training" (teacher preparation courses) at Central Missouri State Teachers College (Warrensburg, Mo.) and at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. In the late 1920s she traveled west to accept a teaching position in a rural school outside of Broadus, Mont. In 1929, she moved to Wheatland where she taught two years in Wyoming rural schools. She taught first through eighth grades, built the fire to heat up the school, and cleaned the school - all for $35 per month.
Helen met Carl B. "Cap" Wilson in Wheatland and they were married May 17, 1931. The marriage ended her teaching career as married women were not allowed to teach at that time.
Cap and Helen lived on the O-O ranch west of Wheatland where they ranched with Cap's brother, Dick Wilson. Later, they bought the H.T. Fish farm northwest of Wheatland. In 1943, their only child, Charlotte, was born. They lived on the farm until 1982 when they moved to Powell to be closer to their daughter.
Helen cooked for haying crews, sheep shearers and other hired help. She was famous for her "from scratch" four-inch angel food cakes and lemon meringue pies. She always had food to share and was a gracious hostess. She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers. Until recently, Helen had a keen interest in politics and current events. She voted in the 1924 election (the first time she could vote since women had been given the right to vote) and voted in every election since then. Helen took great pride in her ability to speak and write the English language well. She greeted people with a smile and was careful about her appearance. She had a great sense of humor. When asked on her 100th birthday if she had any advice for living a long, successful life, she said: "Do your very best, and keep in good shape, they way you should. Keep working as long as you can at something."
Helen and Cap celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1981. Cap died in 1985 and Helen continued to live at Cactus Garden Trailer Court until 1995 when she experienced some health problems and moved to the Powell Valley Care Center. She enjoyed the activities provided for the residents and was appreciative of the excellent care given by the staff. She celebrated her 100th and 101st birthdays with many friends and family members. Those celebrations provided wonderful memories of a life lived fully and well.
Helen was a member of the Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church. She attended Union Presbyterian Church in Powell with her daughter and family.
Survivors include her daughter Charlotte (Hunter) Patrick of Powell; grandchildren Michael (Paulette) Patrick of Billings, Mont., and Colleen Patrick of Indianapolis, Ind.; great-grandchildren Eagan Phillips and Lela Phillips of Billings; a sister, Mattie Griffis of Norman, Okla.; a niece Patricia (Louis) Theil of Marshall, Mo., and a nephew Louis (Molly) Griffis of Norman, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Marion, Clarence and Claude; and sister Rowena.
Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held at a later time. Miratsky Funeral home is in charge of arrangements. Inurement will be in the family plot at the Nelson, Mo. cemetery. If one wishes to honor Helen's life, please share a smile, share a kind work or deed, bake something and share it, use the English language correctly, and keep a sense of humor. Memorials may be made to the Powell Valley Care Center Activities Fund, 999 Ave. G, Powell WY 82435 or to the charity of one's choice.
Phyllis Elaine Stockwell - Oct. 29
A funeral Mass for long-time Greybull resident, Phyllis Elaine Stockwell, 81, will be held Friday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greybull. She died at her daughter's home in Powell, surrounded by family members, Sunday evening, Oct. 24.
Father Peter Johnson will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Greybull. A viewing will be today (Thursday) from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Atwood Family Chapel in Greybull and on Friday one-half hour prior to the service at the church.
She was born Oct. 17, 1923, in Mulliken, Mich., daughter of Clyde L. and Louisa Jane (Crane) Millross. She received her schooling in Dearborn, Mich.
She moved to Wyoming in 1945 and married Jack James Stockwell on Feb. 20, 1945, in Greybull. She loved to quilt and enjoyed gardening. Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. There was nothing like a new baby to brighten up her day. She also enjoyed spennding time with her family and friends.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greybull and the VFW Auxiliary.
Survivors include her 10 children, Ken (Lesa) Stockwell of Cody, Jerry (Denise) Stockwell of Greybull, Ben Stockwell and Steve Baugh of Wilsall, Mont., Carmen (Bill) Capron in Powell, Fred (Barbara) Stockwell of Bozeman, Mont., Lori (Mick) Davis of Gallatin Gateway, Mont., Suzanne (Brett) Prevedel of Roosevelt, Utah, Jacqueline (Robert) Conti of Bozeman, Mont., Melody (Mark) Brown of Greybull and Bill (Carmen) Stockwell of Wheatland; 27 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Right to Life or a charity of choice.
Mari Lynne Lekarczyk - Oct. 31
Memorial services were held in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 3 for Mari Lynne Huhnke Wesnitzer Lekarczyk, 42, a former Worland resident, who died Sunday, Oct. 31 in Colorado Springs after an extended illness.
She was born May 17, 1962, in Worland to Billy Gene Huhnke and Sharon Dusenberry Fech. Her childhood years were spent in Worland, Sheridan and Rock Springs, and she moved to Colorado Springs in 1984.
She received her high school education in Wyoming and graduated from Blair Junior College in Colorado Springs with an associates degree as a legal assistant/paralegal in 1993. During her years in Colorado Springs, she worked for eight years at Schriever Air Force Base as a property accountant, at Voice Messaging of America, SOS staffing, as a bartender and as a paralegal.
Her favorite activities included taking care of her children and family; being a homemaker and paying special attention to her children's friends. Some of her favorite pasttimes were sewing, crafts, music, pottery, raising African violets, gardening, canning and "going out and having a good time." She had a special place in her heart for the Big Horn Mountains where she wished for her ashes to be spread.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Brian Lekarczyk, and her children, Justin, Matthew and Amanda Wesnitzer, all of Colorado Springs. She is also survived by her mother and stepfather, Joe and Sharon Fech of Meeteetse; father, Bill Huhnke of Branson, Mo.; her father and mother-in-law, Robert and Dolores Lekarczyk of Melbourne, Fla.; brothers, Carl (Ann) Huhnke of Lander and David (Cindy) Huhnke of Worland; brothers-in-law, Mark (Mary) and Randy Lekarczyk of Colorado Springs and Eric (Oahn Tran) Lekarczyk of Westminster, Colo.; her former husband, Joe Wesnitzer of Colorado Springs; numerous nieces and nephews; grandparents, Fred and Nola Silvernale of Powell; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Susan Barbara Hamlin Nichols - Oct. 31
Word has been received here of the Oct. 31, 2004, death in Phoenix, Ariz., of Susan Barbara Hamlin Nichols from complications of surgery. She was 59.
She was born Sept. 29, 1945, to Mildred and Gordon Hamlin in Chicago, Ill. At a young age, she moved with her family to Worland and graduated from Worland High School in 1964. She then graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 1968.
She married Mike Nichols in Littleton, Colo., on May 31, 1968. They were blessed with the birth of a son, Mark.
In 1967, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, but always remained positive, even though she suffered greatly from the disease. After moving to Arizona in 1968, she taught elementary school in the Mesa school district for 16 years. When illness forced her to retire, she continued to volunteer in the classroom for several more years.
She was involved for many years with testing various arthritis drugs. She was known by many doctors studying the disease around the world, and her case was written up in many medical journals, citing experiemental medical practices for rheumatoid arthritis.
Survivors include her husband, Mike and son, Mark of Mesa, Ariz.; her sister, Diane (Charlie) Hefenieder and mother, Mildred Hamlin of Powell; sister-in-law, Nancy Hamlin of Orlando, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon, and her brother, David.
Services were held Nov. 6 in Mesa. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1313 East Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 82014.