(Dec. 6, 2003)
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Dec. 6 at Union Presbyterian Church for lifelong area resident, Merl E. Gimmeson, 82, who died Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Powell Nursing Home, his home for the past 17 months.
The Rev. David Hunter and the Rev. Bill Hassler officiated at services.
Merl was born Aug. 5, 1921, to Earnest and Bessie (Hallam) Gimmeson at their homestead in Garland. He graduated from Powell High School in 1939.
On Nov. 15, 1941, he married Colette Steck at the home of her parents, Bert and Eva Steck, in Garland. To this union were born five children: Larry Gene, Gary Steck, Carol Marie, Greg Richard and Ray Eldon.
He loved farming and farmed all his life in the Garland community until his health failed him. His son, Ray, now follows in his father's footsteps and runs the farm.
He took a lot of pride in his farming and won the Top Ten sugar beet growers award many times.
During his younger years, he worked at Walrath Bean Mill, the sulfur plant at Elk Basin and the oilfields during the winter months until he started feeding cattle and sheep. In his later years, he enjoyed snow skiing, motorcycling and four-wheeling with his family and friends.
Merl served two teams as Elder of the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge, a charter member of the BPOE Elks Lodge 2303 and a former Mason.
His family is comforted in the knowledge that Merl had a heart of gold. He was always there to help friends and neighbors in their time of need.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Colette Gimmeson of Powell; sons Larry and Ray of Powell and Gary of Connell, Wash.; daughter Carol Huff of Orlando, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother Gene Gimmeson of Casper; and sisters Mary deHaan of Powell and Lucille Crane of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Greg; two grandchildren, Dusty Gimmeson of Powell and Travis Gimmeson of Connell, Wash.; and two brothers, Willard and Bill of Powell.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 906, Powell, WY 82435 or to the memorial of donor's choice.