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Betty Lou Branscom
Sheridan High School graduate Betty Lou Branscom, 74, of Osage died Saturday, March 21, 2009, in Rapid City Regional Hospital. Services were Saturday with interment in Greenwood cemetery in Newcastle. Arrangements were with Worden Funeral Directors. Born Dec. 26, 1934, at the family ranch near Sayle, Mont., to Chalmers Frank and Katie Eglontine (Avery) McKenzie, she attended country school through the eighth grade at Billup School. During high school, she lived with her older sister, Darlene Griffin, and Griffin’s family in Sheridan, graduating from Sheridan High in 1952. After graduation, she moved to Osage to live with another sister. She married
Ned E. Branscom of Osage on June 23, 1956, in Rapid City. They resided briefly in Oregon and worked as ranch hands. They also lived southeast of Upton, then moved to the Butte Pipeline Station at Osage, where Mr. Branscom worked for True for many years. In 1972, the couple purchased the Butcher ranch southwest of Osage. In 1983 they bought a place on Fiddler Creek. Mr. Branscom enjoyed team roping and Mrs. Branscom spent a lot of time working the chute in the arena at home for practice and traveling around the area with him to ropings. Mr. Branscom died in 1988. She continued to ranch and later purchased another ranch, also on Fiddler Creek, allowing her to increase the cattle herd she and her husband had started. She enjoyed doing “grandma things” with her grandchildren including attending school concerts and basketball games. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Darlene Griffin and Helen Long; and two brothers, Lloyd and James. Survivors include two sisters, Marion “Dolly” Sept and Bonnie McKenzie; three brothers, C.F. “Chub” Jr., Raynard and Wayne; one daughter, Fonda McFarlin of Fort Lupton, Colo.; and one son, Clay Branscom of the ranch at Osage; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Osage Volunteer Ambulance Service.
Dan Leibee
Dan Leibee, 73, of Buffalo died Friday, March 27, 2009, at Johnson County Healthcare Center, Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Mike Leibee officiating. Interment will be in Kearney, Neb. Born Dec. 14, 1935, in Kearney to Lloyd and Lindsay Leibee, he grew up there and was the starting quarterback for Kearney High School, where he also played basketball. He graduated in 1954. After high school he attended Kearney State College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1958. He joined the Navy and was a fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger. During his military service, on June 5, 1966, he married
Diana Dunklau in Wayne, Neb. The couple moved to Los Angeles for a brief period after he was hired by Western Airlines as a pilot and was on active reserve with the Navy at the same time. In 1968 they moved to Lakewood, Colo. Mr. Leibee flew Boeing 727s for Western Airlines (becoming Delta Airlines) until his retirement in 1996. In 1997 the couple moved to Buffalo. Mr. Leibee enjoyed playing pool, golf, fishing and spending time with friends. He was preceded in death by a brother. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jud Leibee of Orange County, Calif., and Jeff Leibee of Denver; and five grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion Post 13 in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Mike Cortez
Luciano Mike “Chano” Cortez, 70, of Buffalo died Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Johnson County Healthcare Center in Buffalo. Visitation is today from 1-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 8-9:30 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with private family interment at Willow Grove cemetery. Born June 4, 1938, in Buffalo to Tony and Felipe Cortez, he grew up and attended school in Buffalo. After high school he became a trucker. He married
Mary Lou Rader in 1956 in Buffalo, and they resided in Denver, where he continued driving trucks. After divorcing, he lived in Denver until 2000, when he returned to Buffalo to be near his mother. Mr. Cortez was known for helping others. He was preceded in death by a brother, Pete. Survivors include one son, Mike Cortez of Westminster, Colo.; a daughter, Pam Cortez-Baca of Arvada, Colo., and a second daughter whose name is unavailable; a brother, Tony Cortez of Casper; two sisters, Mickey Ridgeway of Denver and Julia Pierson of New Jersey; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit the Mike Cortez memorial in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo WY 82834.
Marc ‘Scoop’ Kashnor
Marc “Scoop” Kashnor, 57, of Story died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Johnson County Healthcare Center. Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Story Woman’s Club with the Rev. Tom Faulkner officiating. Interment will be at Quiet Rest cemetery in Story with a reception to follow at the Woman’s Club. Mr. Kashnor was a resident of Story for the past 25 years. He was known for his intellect, wit and appreciation of bourbon “with just a little ice.” An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and was often accompanied by his faithful dog, Lucy. Born in Cambridge, Mass., he attended Cambridge High and Latin School and trained at the New England Conservatory of Music. After high school, he attended the Montserat Art School in Beverly, Mass.; the San Francisco Art Institute, where he received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts; San Francisco State, where he received a master’s degree in photography; and Boston University, where he received a master’s degree in photojournalism. He was a drummer with the Boston-based group Oral Lobotomy and played with various bands in the Sheridan area over the years. He exhibited photographs at various San Francisco galleries, at the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, and at the Ucross Foundation in Clearmont. In 1986, his work was featured in a special Sunday section on Wyoming artists in the Casper Star-Tribune. He worked as a reporter for the Buffalo Bulletin, the Casper Star-Tribune, the Sheridan Press, and Crazy Woman Enterprises. He is survived by a sister, Cynthia Kashnor of Cambridge. Memorials may benefit Story Library in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Alvin C. Jack Weaver
Alvin C. Jack Weaver, 81 of Sheridan died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at his home. Per his request, there will be no services. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Aug. 4, 1927, in Chicago to Harvey and Gladys (Dahl) Weaver, he was raised in Sheridan. After school, he spent 22 years with the Army engineers in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and the United States and won the Bronze Star. He married
Margie Loretta Lange of Chicago on Feb. 17, 1949. In Mr. Weaver’s Army career, they were stationed at locations including Fort Sheridan in Illinois, Fort Ord in California and Heidelberg, Germany. He also served as a National Guard adviser in Casper and Powell. He retired from the service in 1967 and returned to Sheridan, where he raised his family. He worked at Cashway Lumber, N.O. Nelson Co. (plumbing) and Decker Coal retiring in 1983. He rode in the Sheridan County Rodeo Parade for more than 30 years with his family and friends. Along with riding, he loved horses, restoring classic vehicles, and collecting memorabilia. He was known for being able to fix anything and for always having a great story. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harvey “Curly” Weaver, Lawrence “Ace” Weaver, Clark “Dusty” Weaver, and a sister, Joan Weaver. Survivors include his wife; five children, Margie Ingalls of Sheridan, Billie Abee of Plainwell, Mich., Peggy Cox of Gillette, and Jack Weaver and Frank Weaver of Sheridan; a brother, Dennis Pensis of Sheridan; a sister, Joy Foldenauer of Sheridan; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Welch Cancer Center, 1401 W. Fifth Street, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Bernard James Marron
Bernard James Marron, 92, of Sheridan died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. Cremation has taken place. Vigil service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral Liturgy will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Ogg as celebrant. Inurnment of cremains will be in Sheridan Municipal cemetery. Memorials may benefit Hands of Help Orphanage, Box 1080, Pecos, NM 87552.
Thomas McBrayer
Former Sheridan resident Thomas McBrayer, 57, died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital of lung cancer, according to family. Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 610 S. Kendrick Ave., in Gillette. Born Aug. 1, 1951, in Alhambra, Calif., to Ivan and Catherine McBrayer, he moved with his family to Sturgis, S.D., in 1963. He married
Katie Wilsey on Dec. 27, 1972. She died in 1979 in a motorcycle accident. Mr. McBrayer enjoyed spending time with his friends, family and riding his Harley-Davidson. Survivors include two daughters, Janelle Iddings of Sheridan and Shauna Gilkey of Gillette; two brothers, Skip McBrayer of Cheyenne and Dennis McBrayer of Piedmont, S.D.; a sister, Margie McBrayer of Sturgis; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Janice Marie Miller
Sheridan-native Janice Marie Miller, 46, of Elma, Wash., died Friday, March 13, 2009, in Elma. Funeral services were March 23 in Elma. She was born Aug. 8, 1962, in Sheridan to Junior and Juanita Lucille (Varner) Miller. A homemaker, she enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting, sewing, watching wrestling, and playing bingo at the Elma Eagles. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jeffrey Miller. Survivors include her husband, Chuck Binkley; a daughter, Juanita Miller of Elma; a son, Joshua Miller of Aberdeen, Wash.; a brother, James Miller of Sheridan; a half brother, Jack Miller of Sheridan; two half sisters, Judy Miller and Linda Vallejo of Sheridan; and three grandchildren. Arrangements were with Whiteside Family Mortuaries.
Alvin C. Jack Weaver
Alvin C. Jack Weaver, 81 of Sheridan died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at his home. Per his request, there will be no services. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Aug. 4, 1927, in Chicago to Harvey and Gladys (Dahl) Weaver, he was raised in Sheridan. After school, he spent 22 years with the Army engineers in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and the United States and won the Bronze Star. He married
Margie Loretta Lange of Chicago on Feb. 17, 1949. In Mr. Weaver’s Army career, they were stationed at locations including Fort Sheridan in Illinois, Fort Ord in California and Heidelberg, Germany. He also served as a National Guard adviser in Casper and Powell. He retired from the service in 1967 and returned to Sheridan, where he raised his family. He worked at Cashway Lumber, N.O. Nelson Co. (plumbing) and Decker Coal retiring in 1983. He rode in the Sheridan County Rodeo Parade for more than 30 years with his family and friends. Along with riding, he loved horses, restoring classic vehicles, and collecting memorabilia. He was known for being able to fix anything and for always having a great story. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harvey “Curly” Weaver, Lawrence “Ace” Weaver, Clark “Dusty” Weaver, and a sister, Joan Weaver. Survivors include his wife; five children, Margie Ingalls of Sheridan, Billie Abee of Plainwell, Mich., Peggy Cox of Gillette, and Jack Weaver and Frank Weaver of Sheridan; a brother, Dennis Pensis of Sheridan; a sister, Joy Foldenauer of Sheridan; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Welch Cancer Center, 1401 W. Fifth Street, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Leona Berdean Brendefur
Leona Berdean Brendefur, 69, of Sheridan died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at her home. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Phil Wold officiating. Inurnment of cremains will be in the church columbarium. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Nov. 16, 1939, in Flaxton, N.D., to Aage and Clara (Kostad) Christiansen, she grew up on the family farm and after high school attended First Interstate Business School in Fargo, N.D. She married
Lloyd Brendefur on May 18, 1963, in Flaxton. They moved to Sheridan in 1979, where she worked as a bookkeeper for Dr. Frisbie and then as manager of Citco Credit Union. In 1989 they moved to Billings, where she was office manager for Midas. They returned to Sheridan in 1999 after she retired. An active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Mrs. Brendefur spent many winters in Arizona. She loved finance, putting puzzles together, playing dominos, and spending time with friends and family. Survivors include her husband; four children, Brenda Henderson, Noel Brendefur, Jonathan Brendefur, and Holly Brandon; a sister, Donnaleen; two brothers, Melvin and Lowell; 12 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit Trinity Lutheran Church.
Leonard Robert Stenseng
Leonard Robert Stenseng, 86, of Buffalo died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colo. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Friday at Adams Funeral Home, Buffalo. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel with Pastor Tom Saur officiating. A military graveside service will follow at Willow Grove cemetery. Born April 9, 1922, in Albert Lea, Minn., to Hans C. and Lena M. Stenseng, he moved with his family during the Depression to several locations in North Dakota and Minnesota. He graduated from high school in Breckenridge, Minn., and worked in a grocery store, managed a produce store, and clerked in a clothing store. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in France, Austria, and Germany during World War II as a radio operator, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. After the war he attended the Ray Art School for four years, studying sign painting and commercial art. Upon completion of his schooling, he opened his own sign business in the Chicago area. In 1951 he married
Betty Sorem of Chicago, and together they ran the family business. In 1972 they moved their family to Buffalo, where they continued their business until retiring. Mr. Stenseng was known as an excellent craftsman, an honest businessman, and a good friend and neighbor. He was preceded in death by his wife; five siblings; and a grandson. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Stenseng of Arvada, Colo.; a son, Lee Stenseng of Miles City, Mont.; and a grandson. Donations may benefit Amie Holt Care Center in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Ella M. Hood
Ella M. Hood, 87, of Sheridan died Friday, March 20, 2009, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Doug Goodwin officiating. Services in Torrington will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Colyer Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Valley View cemetery in Torrington next to her husband. Born July 11, 1921, in Clay Center, Neb., to Jacob and Mary Lissman, she married
Omer Hood in Harrisburg, Neb., on Feb. 16, 1939. They farmed in the Huntley area, and Mrs. Hood worked as a food supervisor at the hospital in Torrington. After her husband’s death, she moved to Lyman, Neb., and worked as a foster grandparent at Head Start and as a part-time librarian. She moved to Sheridan in 1998 and worked at Carroll’s Furniture. She enjoyed going to the Sheridan Senior Center, attending exercise classes and carrying food trays for those who couldn’t. She also enjoyed reading and watching “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” TV game shows. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Richard; four brothers, John, George, Earl, and Albert; a sister, Katherine; and a great-grandson. Survivors include four children, Helen Peterson of Casper, Barbara England of Beulah, N.D., Linda Nordgaard of Lake Park, Minn., and Mike Hood of Sheridan; three sisters, Edna Hort of Lyman, Irene Weinmaster of Freewater, Ore., and Frances Francisco of Lyman; 14 grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Susan Boedeker
Susan Oeland Boedeker, 70, mother of Sheridan resident Dale Boedeker, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at her home in Lander. Funeral services were March 6 in Lander at Hudson’s Funeral Home with burial at Mount Hope cemetery. Born Nov. 11, 1938, in Salt Lake City to Art and Ann Oeland, she lived most of her life in Lander. She graduated from Fremont County Vocational High School and studied at the University of Wyoming. She was employed in the secretarial field and worked for several Lander businesses including radio station KOVE, the Fremont County clerk’s office, and prior to retirement, the Richard D. Gist law firm. She enjoyed flowers, angels, fairies, politics, Eastern Star, chili, and most of all, her family. She was preceded in death by her husband. In addition to her son, survivors include a sister, Betty Kail; two granddaughters; a nephew; and two grandnieces. Memorials may benefit Olivet Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star, Little Wind Hospice of the Girls Group Home of Fremont County in care of Hudson’s Funeral Home, 680 Mount Hope Drive, Lander, WY.
Phyllis Yvonne (Phillips) Vanatta
Sheridan native Phyllis Yvonne (Phillips) Vanatta, 73, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, in Tucson, Ariz. A private service was Feb. 28 in Tucson. A service is planned in Buffalo this summer. Born Sept. 28, 1935, in Sheridan to Bonita (Larke) and John R. Phillips, she graduated from Sheridan High School in 1953. She worked at Woolworth's and eventually at Mountain Bell Telephone as an operator. She married
Joe Vanatta II of Sheridan in 1956. She lived in Sheridan until 1974, then moved to Oregon. Several years later she moved to Spokane, Wash., and continued her career as a secretary. She eventually retired to Tucson. An avid reader of romance novels, she enjoyed working crossword puzzles and watching cooking shows, animal shows and nighttime TV dramas. She was known as an outstanding cook and especially enjoyed creating holiday sweets. Survivors include three sons, Joe Vanatta III of Sandpoint, Idaho, Hal Vanatta of Baypoint, Calif., and Bret Vanatta of Tucson; a sister, Sandra Lewellen of Spokane; a brother, John (Randy) Phillips of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and two grandchildren. For more information about services in Buffalo, contact Phyllis Iddings at 674-7946.
Hazel Ann Rotolo
Hazel Ann Rotolo, 61, of Ranchester died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in her home. A memorial gathering will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Big Horn Mountain Eagles 4169. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Aug. 21, 1947, on the family farm near Parshall, N.D., to Harold and Ora (Howie) Maurer, she came to Sheridan in the late 1950s. She held a number of jobs in this area and retired from the Sheridan VA Medical Center canteen. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, the mountains, photography, reading, crafts, gambling, playing pool, bingo and helping the 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corps. She was known for enjoying life to the fullest and her generous and caring personality. She was preceded in death by her husband, Julio Rotolo, and a sister, Janet. Survivors include a son, Shane Roe; a daughter, Dana Wilhelm; three brothers, Jim and John Maurer and Sonny Richards; two sisters, Connie Mairs and Helen Deutsch; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corps, 137 N. Brooks St., Sheridan, WY 82801 or an education fund for her grandchildren c/o P.O. Box 382, Ranchester, WY 82839.
