Sheridan County's Daily NEWSpaper
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February 28, 2005 Edition
Fordyce S. Rhoades, 89, Sheridan, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Faye Macalister, 87, Sheridan, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Curtiss L. Brenden, 56, Sheridan, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home, the Rev. Ronald Nelson officiating, with burial in Homestead, Mont. Born Aug. 22, 1948, in Williston, N.D., to Vernie and Lorraine (McKenzie) Brenden, he grew up on the family farm near Homestead until the family moved to Froid, Mont., and, in 1963, to Dodson, Mont. He graduated from high school in Dodson in 1967, joined the Navy, and served on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. After the service, he attended college in Denver and Northern Montana College in Havre. He worked for GTA in Chinook, Mont., and Centennial Mills in Box Elder, Mont. He married Deanna Werbelow on May 31, 1980, in Kremlin, Mont. They lived in Homestead, where Mr. Brenden managed Farmers Elevator. In 1989 he went to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a warehouse examiner. The couple lived in Williston until Mr. Brenden retired in 2001. They moved to Sheridan in 2002. He belonged to Twelve-Step Program, American Legion, Lions Club and Glory Dei Lutheran Church in Williston. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, pinochle, bowling and travel. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard Gobin, and twin brothers, David and Joseph. Survivors include his wife; a son, Lance Phillips, Sheridan; two brothers, Robin Brenden of Plentywood, Mont., and Larry Brenden of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Nancy Hansen of Paulden, Ariz., and Verna Hegg of Mesa, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit the American Cancer Society.
Mary Louise George, 43, Sheridan, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Services were this morning at Champion Ferries Funeral Home, Pastor William Heine officiating. A luncheon for family and friends is noon today at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Born May 22, 1961, in Buffalo to Lester James and Dollie (Bugher) George, she spent her younger years in Buffalo. At age 12, she moved with her family to Ucross and attended school in Clearmont. She then moved to Arvada and, in 1989, to Sheridan. A member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, she enjoyed mule racing, rodeos and the outdoors. Her daughter, Genny, was the love of her life. Her parents, three brothers and a niece preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Genny of Sheridan; a brother, Pat George of Sheridan; six sisters, Leslie George, Nellie George and Ann Straight, all of Clearmont, Ginger Horton and Tammie George, both of Sheridan, and Lynn Martinez of Rock Springs. Memorials may benefit Genny George Education Fund in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
John Henry Davila Sr., 79, Gillette, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital of an extended illness. He was father of Teresa Skinner of Sheridan. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Gillette, Father Thomas Kadera officiating, with burial at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette. Visitation is 2-7 p.m. today at the church with a vigil at 7 p.m. Born July 13, 1925, in Julesburg, Colo., to Manuel and Beatriz (Jimenez) Davila, he grew up in Julesburg and graduated from Sedgwick County High School there. On Jan. 23, 1950, he married Phoebe Sixfeathers in Julesburg, where they lived until 1952. They then moved to Kimball, Neb., where he worked at Hodges International Implements and as a farmhand. In 1951 he went to work for Rogers Oil beginning his career in the oil-production industry, which became his passion. In 1961 he moved his family to Gillette and worked for Leumont Drilling, Thompson Drilling, and Shelby Drilling as a derrick hand, driller, tool pusher, and superintendent. In 1983 he retired due to Parkinson's disease. Mr. Davila enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his early years his interests included football, track, soccer, and basketball. He belonged to Saint Matthew's Catholic Church and held various offices with Knights of Columbus including: grand knight, district deputy, membership director, retention chairman, faithful navigator, state advocate, state secretary, and state treasurer. He was also Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll chairman and director for several years, raising funds for handicapped citizens statewide. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Davila, a son, Manuel Davila, and a granddaughter. Survivors include his wife; a son, John Davila Jr. of Gillette; seven other daughters, Dianah Schlautman of Boonesville, Mo., Deborah Eldridge Sr., Marsha Niemann, Mary Shea, Beatriz Hochnadel, and Danielle Spelts, all of Gillette, and Anne Snider of Indian Rivers, Mich.; two brothers, Raphael Davila of Denver and James Davila of Huntington Beach, Calif.; two sisters, Alice Garcia of Huntington Beach and Theresa Davila of Salinas, Calif.; 20 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Lucio “Archie” Sanchez, 69, Sheridan, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, at Hardin (Mont.) County Hospital. Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kane Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Name Catholic Church, the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating.
Carolyn Salmonson, 68, Sheridan, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Kane Funeral Home and 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at Bethesda Worship Center. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bethesda Worship Center, the Revs. Tim Charles, Jerry Houchens and Walter DeLeon officiating, with burial in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Born Aug. 9, 1936, in Sheridan to Earle and Annie (Roberts) Watt, she graduated from Eugene Bible College in 1956. She performed missionary work with Navajo and Witchipec Indians and also in Monterey, Mexico, and Guatemala. She also taught vacation Bible school in the summer and gave evangelistic speeches. She married Keith Salmonson on June 13, 1999, in Junction City, Ore. She then made four missionary trips to India, two to Israel, and one each to United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Peru, Chile, and Cuba, N.M. She loved cooking, reading biographies and Christian books, and teaching English to Spanish people. She also enjoyed foreign travel, photography, and playing Christian music on the omni-chord, keyboard and piano. A brother, Eugene, preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband; two sisters, Margaret Beakler of Wilcox, Ariz., and Martha Crenshaw of Eugene, Ore.; three brothers, Robert Watt of Sheridan, Wilton Watt of Borger, Texas, and Daniel Watt of Dayton; three stepchildren, Heidi Jo Walker of Fairfield, Iowa, Loren Salmonson of Seattle, and Rachel Salmonson of Portland, Ore.; and five step-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Open Door Ministry in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Febrary 26, 2005 Edition
Sheridan native Ruth Milne, 89, of Edgemont, S.D., died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, S.D. Visitation will be 1 p.m. Monday at the United Churches in Edgemont. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the United Churches in Edgemont with the Rev. Gordon Higgins officiating. Burial will be in the Edgemont Cemetery. Arrangements are with McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Edgemont. Mrs. Milne was born Aug. 28, 1915, in Sheridan to Anton and Frances Zahradnicek. She taught rural schools in the Sheridan area for four years. She married George Milne in 1937, and they moved to Edgemont. Mr. Milne worked for the railroad, and Mrs. Milne was a housewife. She was a member of the United Churches, P.E.O. and the order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include a son, George “Pete” of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Helen Plott of Parkman; a grandson; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial has been established in Mrs. Milne's name for the United Churches in Edgemont.
Mary Louise George, 43, of Sheridan died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. William Heine officiating. A luncheon for family and friends will be at noon Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Genny George Educational Fund in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Carolyn Salmonson, 68, of Sheridan died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Services are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
February 25, 2005 Edition
Former Sheridan resident Connie Kopisch, 83, Longmont, Colo., died Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, at Longmont United Hospital. Services were Feb. 17 at Westview Presbyterian Church with burial in Foothills Gardens of Memory. Arrangements were with Howe Mortuary. Born Oct. 13, 1921, in La Junta, Colo., to James C. and Lelia Ophelia (Bromley) Murray, she grew up on a ranch near Las Animas, Colo., and graduated from high school there. She attended the University of Colorado for two years taking nursing classes. She married Lloyd J. Kopisch on Aug. 29, 1947, in Taos, N.M., and they lived 13 years in Sheridan. They also lived in Las Animas, Fort Wayne, Ind., Des Moines, Iowa, and Sturgis, S.D., before settling in Longmont 30 years ago. Mrs. Kopisch worked as a secretary for the Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, and Department of Housing and Urban Development, retiring in the late 1970s. A member of Westview Presbyterian Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and Quester's Club, she enjoyed collecting antiques and playing bridge. A sister, Louise Hake, preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Sharon Sendon of Missoula, Mont.; a grandson; two great-grandchildren; and a niece. Memorials may benefit American Cancer Society, 6857 Paiute Ave., Niwot, CO 80503 or American Heart Association, 1280 S. Parker Road, Denver, CO 80231.
Former Sheridan-area resident Isabelle “Belle” Millspaugh, 99, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, in Dallas. Viewing will be 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, Pastor Robert Logan officiating, with burial in Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Born March 15, 1905, in Waukon, Iowa, to David and Elizabeth Feldstein, she married Paul “Peter” Millspaugh. They lived in this area until Mr. Millspaugh died in 1998. A grandson, Frank, and seven brothers and sisters also preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Lilian of Dallas; a son, Clarence Everton of California; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Dorothy Brim McCrea, 89, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2005, at Johnson County Health Care Center. No services will be held. Arrangements are with Adams Funeral Home, Buffalo.
February 24, 2005 Edition
Bruce Likes, 58, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at his Sheridan residence. Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home with inurnment in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Mary George, 43, Sheridan, died today, Feb. 24, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Former Sheridan resident Isabelle Millspaugh, 99, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, in Richardson, Texas. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
February 23, 2005 Edition
Connie A. Miller, 83, died today, Feb. 23, 2005, at Sheridan Manor. Arrangements are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
Bessie Brewer, 66, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at her Dayton residence. Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Kane Funeral Home followed by a Christian wake service there at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday at St. Edmund's Catholic Church in Ranchester, the Rev. Tom Ogg officiating, with burial in Dayton Cemetery. Born Sept. 7, 1938, in Woodward, Okla., to Francis and Margaret (Jennings) Ludden, she graduated from high school in Woodward in 1956. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from Texas State Women's University. She married Lawrence Brewer on Dec. 31, 1961, in Fairview, Okla. Mrs. Brewer worked for the VA Hospital, retiring as chief of occupational therapy at Sheridan VA Medical Center in 1993. She enjoyed fishing, travel, painting and crafts and was known as an excellent photographer. She was active in St. Joseph's Council of Catholic Women, Sheridan County Historical Society, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, where she was district president in 1980-81. She also supervised horseshoe games during the annual Dayton Days. A daughter, Kandace Marie Brewer, preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband; her mother, Margaret Davis of Lemoore, Calif.; a brother, Lawrence Ludden of Marleton, N.J.; a sister, Margaret Smith of Lemoore; six nieces; and five nephews.
February 22, 2005 Edition
Betty Ann Jelly, 68, Sheridan, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home, the Rev. Judy Roberts officiating, with burial in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Born May 29, 1936, in Sheridan to John and Helen (Kristy) Reed, she grew up and attended school in Sheridan and worked several years for RENEW Recycling. She moved into Sheridan Manor in the early 1990s and married Kenneth Jelly in November 1997. He died in 2002. Mrs. Jelly was past president of Sheridan Manor Residents Council. She enjoyed dogs, gardening, bingo, arts, crafts and puzzles. A brother, Robert, preceded her in death. Survivors include two sisters, Dorothy Reed of Sheridan and Linda Reed of San Diego; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit the American Diabetes Foundation.
Mike Wyatt Rideout, 56, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at his Sheridan home after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Visitation is until 4 p.m. today at Kane Funeral Home. Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating, with burial in Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Born May 15, 1948, in Sheridan to Howard and Margaret (Holmes) Rideout, he spent his childhood on the family ranch in Decker, Mont., and was active in 4-H. He attended school in Sheridan County and Red Lodge, Mont., and served with the Army's 20th Engineering Battalion in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and received the Army Commendation Medal. He married Margie Gorzalka on Feb. 23, 1991, in Sheridan. Mr. Rideout was known as a true cowman who never met a stranger and always had a tale to tell. He ranched from Decker to Arizona and Texas and hauled cattle in his own truck from California to Florida. His favorite sport was roping. He belonged to Sheridan Elks Lodge for 25 years, was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and Arizona Cattle Feeders Association and was on the Sheridan-Johnson REA board of directors. He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and stepfather, Frank Fleury. Survivors include his wife; two sons, J.C. Rideout and Scotty Rideout, both of Sheridan; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. His special “son” was Justin Chacon. Memorials may benefit the Mike W. Rideout Memorial Fund or donor's choice in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, PO Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82001.
Former Sheridan resident Richard Lee Chappell, 68, Mesa, Ariz., died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, in Mesa, according to his son. Arrangements are pending.
James Albert Coones, 73, of Buffalo died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005, at his residence. He was brother of Dorothy Jane Sampson of Sheridan. Funeral services were this morning in the Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tom Saur officiating. Mr. Coones was born Sept. 28, 1931, in Gillette to William Cameron and Anna Coones. He grew up in the Spotted Horse area and attended country schools. He went to high school in Sheridan for a time. He was a 1948 graduate of Prairie Grove (Ark.) High School. He joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served on the USS Philippine Sea, an aircraft carrier, in the Sea of Japan during the Korean conflict. He married Jane Blakemore in 1950 in Prairie Grove, Ark. They made their home in Washington state until Mr. Coones was discharged from the Navy. They moved to Laramie and attended the University of Wyoming. Mr. Coones graduated from UW in 1960 with a degree in soil science. The family moved to Spotted Horse in 1960 and leased a farm, which they eventually purchased. Mr. Coones ranched and farmed until 1991, when he moved to Buffalo to buy and sell farm machinery and work in the oil and gas business. Mr. Coones began Angler Exploration in 1998 and owned and operated the company until his death. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Masonic Lodge. He was a pilot and enjoyed flying, hunting when he was younger, and travel. He was preceded in death by a brother. In addition to his sister, survivors include two sons, Blake and Joe, both of Boise, Idaho; a daughter, Mary Ann Porter of Boise; and seven grandchildren.
Bessie Brewer, 66, Dayton, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at her residence. Visitation is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Kane Funeral Home followed by rosary there at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday at St. Edmund's Catholic Church in Ranchester, the Rev. Tom Ogg officiating, with burial in Dayton Cemetery.
February 21, 2005 Edition
Former Sheridan County resident Irma “Jean” Christensen, 68, of Saco, Mont., died Friday, Feb. 18, 2005, at her home of an apparent heart attack. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Stanley Stephan officiating. Mrs. Christensen was born Jan. 29, 1937, in Hardin, Mont., to Harry and Bertha (Hodges) Miller. She grew up and attended schools in Hardin and was a 1955 graduate of Hardin High School. She worked on a ranch in Hardin, then moved to Dayton, where she worked as a janitor. She also worked in housekeeping at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She married Jack Kawulok. He died in 1983. She married Clayton B. Christensen on March 7, 1984, in Dayton. She helped him in the meatpacking business until 1995, when they retired and moved to Fort Peck, Mont. They moved to Saco in 2001. Mrs. Christensen was a member of First Baptist Church in Hardin. She enjoyed fishing, camping, embroidery, horses, Western novels and spending time with her family. Survivors include her husband; a son, Jesse Hammett of Ranchester; a daughter, Colleen Chavira of El Paso, Texas; four stepsons, Jerry Christensen of Lincoln, Neb., Rich Christensen of Glendale, Ariz., and Ron and Mike Christensen, both of Wright; a stepdaughter, Bernice Lizer of Kearney, Neb.; two sisters, Joy Miller of Hardin and Vickie Hegge of Missoula, Mont.; two brothers, Larry Miller of Kenai, Alaska, and Kevin Miller of Billings; 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Dayton Benefit Club or the Dayton or Ranchester fire departments in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Mike Wyatt Rideout, 56, of Sheridan died at his residence Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Visitation will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mike W. Rideout Memorial Fund or the donor's choice in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Betty (Reed) Jelly, 68, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Bessie Brewer, 66, of Dayton died this morning, Feb. 21, 2005, at her residence. Services are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
February 19, 2005 Edition
James Lee Schlegel, 41, of Story died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at his residence. Private family services will be later. Arrangements are with Adams Funeral Home of Buffalo. Mr. Schlegel was born Oct. 27, 1963, in Freeport, N.Y., to Robert and Vaunda Schlegel. He attended grade school in Story and received his associate's degree at Sheridan College. He worked as a welder-fabricator in Salt Lake City and lived in Elko, Nev. from 1991-99. He married Ramona Watson in 1992 in Elko. They moved to Pocatello, Idaho, from 1999-2002, when they moved to Story. Mr. Schlegel enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include his wife; his mother, Vaunda Jones; a son, Kyle Bergum of Elko; three daughters, Jamie and Jennifer Schlegel, both of Story, and Savannah Bergum of Pocatello; a brother, Michael of Story; two sisters, Sharon Schlegel of Story and Punky Legerski of Sheridan; and a grandmother, Frances Huggins of Story. Memorials may be made to Project ALS in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.
February 18, 2005 Edition
Meghan L. Kelly, 14, Buffalo, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, of natural causes at Johnson County Health Care Center.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Buffalo. Visitation is 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to noon Monday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Willow Grove Cemetery, Buffalo.
Memorials may benefit Eva Knepper Natural Habitat Park Project in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo WY 82834.
February 17, 2005 Edition
Nell Catherine Niver McKinley Harris, 92, Wyola, Mont., died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Services are 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home, Pastor Hale Harris and the Rev. Charles Wilson officiating, with burial in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Born April 11, 1912, in Arco, Idaho, to Grant and Anna Scouten Niver, she married Patrick Orville McKinley in 1930. He died in 1969. In the 1940s she managed the Rondi Motel and Service Station until it was changed to XL Motel and Service. She also briefly owned Central Newsstand. She co-owned Sheridan Wrecking and Sheridan Sand and Gravel. She owned and operated the Powder Box and then the Magic Door beauty salon in Sheridan and was a founding member of Calvary Baptist Church. She married John Gilbert Harris in 1976 in Wyola. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Ronald Patrick McKinley of Wyola and Ridgley Niver McKinley of Sheridan; eight grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Wyola Community Baptist Church or Camp Bethel, 5103 U.S. Highway 14, Dayton, WY 82836.
February 16, 2005 Edition
Former Sheridan County resident Marie L. Pabst, 88, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, at Beverly Care Center in Rapid City. Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel, Buffalo, the Rev. John Orwig officiating. Visitation is 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the chapel with burial in Willow Grove Cemetery, Buffalo. Born Aug. 31, 1916, in Hussenbach, Russia, to George and Kathrine Leis, she fled with her parents and brother to Germany in 1917 to escape communist troops. After her father's death in 1923, she immigrated to America to join the Henry Bauer family in Clearmont with her mother and brother. She attended school in Johnson County and graduated from Wheatland High School in 1935. She married John Pabst on Valentine's Day 1936, and they farmed and ranched in Sheridan and Johnson counties. After her husband died in 1966, Mrs. Pabst became a U.S. citizen. In 1967, she began work at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Buffalo, retiring in 1987. She moved to Rapid City in 2003 to be closer to family. She loved her family and friends, enjoyed her yard, and valued education and rural ranch life. In addition to her husband, two brothers and a sister preceded her in death. Survivors include two sons, Larry and John Pabst, both of Rapid City; two daughters, Nancy Pabst and Maggie Nall, both of Casper; a stepbrother, Henry Bauer of Buffalo; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Willow Grove Cemetery in care of Adams Funeral Home.
Former Sheridan resident Wilma Goodfellow, 91, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, in Camp Verde, Ariz., where she lived many years. Private burial was in Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix. Born April 6, 1913, in Sidney, Iowa, she and her husband, Dr. William Goodfellow, had a home and veterinary clinic in Sheridan. They moved to Texas in 1947 and later divorced. Mrs. Goodfellow attended Northwest College in Minneapolis, where she learned to be a medical and X-ray technician. An avid reader, she enjoyed her children, horses, pets, travel and camping. A son, Cameron “Smokey,” preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Marian McLean of Camp Verde. Memorials may benefit Verde Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 1429, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. Arrangements were with Wescott Funeral Home.
Nell N. Harris, 92, Wyola, Mont., died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
February 15, 2005 Edition
Russell “Rusty” Hager, 44, Dayton, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, as a result of a motor-vehicle accident. Friends will gather at 4 p.m. Thursday in Dayton Community Hall. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Nov. 10, 1960, in Kirksville, Mo., to Oscar and Joyce (Landon) Hager, he attended school in Green City, Mo., until the family moved to Big Horn, where he graduated from high school in 1980. He married Janette Mydland in 1987. They were divorced. Mr. Hager worked many years as a mechanic for the Padlock Ranch and also as a mechanic for a coal-bed methane company. He enjoyed hunting, playing pool, working with young horses, and spending time with his daughters. He was the companion of Kim Soltis. Other survivors include two daughters, Moriah and Chelsey Hager of Dayton; his parents of Sheridan; a brother, Randy Hager of Elko, Nev.; two sisters, Sonya Mallett of Billings and Cindy Hager of Sheridan; a niece; a nephew; and aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorials may benefit Rusty Hager's Daughters Scholarship Fund in care of Karen Green, First Interstate Bank, Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
February 14, 2005 Edition
Marjorie Penson Collins, 88, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at her Sheridan home. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, the Rev. Douglas Goodwin officiating, with burial in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Born Aug. 30, 1916, on Big Bend Ranch at Kirby, Mont., to Tom and Mabel (Barton) Penson, she grew up on the ranch, attended Big Bend and Kirby elementary schools, and graduated in 1934 from Sheridan High School. She married Byron Collins on Nov. 8, 1937, in Buffalo. They ranched on lower Piney Creek. After age 50, Mrs. Collins attended Sheridan College and worked at Sheridan Memorial Hospital as a certified nurses' assistant. Her husband died in 1989, and she moved into Sheridan in 1997. An accomplished horsewoman, she enjoyed cooking, history, the outdoors, and especially being with her family. She belonged to First Christian Church and Piney Woman's Club. Two brothers, Charles and Greg Penson, and a sister,