Jeremiah David Case: June 11, 1983 — January 11, 2023
Jeremiah David Case was born on June 11, 1983 in Laramie, Wyoming. He was joyful with a big personality who loved his family dearly and was always ready for the next big adventure in life. His soul loved the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming and he always talked about going to go explore the mountain wilderness of Alaska someday. His life was diverse and abundant which made him a captivating story teller. He could help anyone through a difficult time because he had the ability to find humor in the most mundane life circumstances. He was the type of guy that made friends quickly and was always willing to offer a helping hand. He was a “hand”, a cowboy through and through, he also developed skills in carpentry and operating heavy equipment.
A poem that he and his youngest brother Tanner would share aloud before riding broncs is as follows:
As we live the Cowboy Way, protection what we pray,
We don’t know our fate, outside of the gate,
If our ride sees trouble, sends angels on the double,
For in the Lord we rest, let our life past your test,
By pure grace we’re saved, Lord ride with us,
For your way is paved, that’s the Cowboy Way,
And for what real Cowboys Pray.
Jeremiah Case’s love of life will live on forever. Through his many struggles he was also a teacher. He taught us grace and boundaries, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, hope. We laughed often, loved often, and cried often. Miah quotes “Never say whoa in a bog hole”, “I want you to be twice the hand I am”, “I love you baby choad”, “We are a dying breed”, “Cowboying is a way of life”. He met his Creator on January 11, 2023. He is greatly missed by family, friends, and loved ones forever. Jeremiah is survived by his parents Tom and Shawnae Case, 2 brothers, Tanner and Sy Case, 3 children Marcus, Braxton and Lexi Case, Grandparents Buck and Marilyn Huston along with Uncles, Aunts and Cousins, nephews and nieces. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716.
Darrel Hart: October 5, 1967 — January 9, 2023
Darrel Ray Hart, affectionately known as D-Ray to those who loved him, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2023 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper Wyoming at the age of 55. Darrel was born to Joe and Mary Hart in Gillette, Wyoming on October 5th, 1967.
Darrel received a certificate of completion from Campbell County Highschool in 1988.
He lived and attended Life Connections in Gillette where he thrived.
Darrel liked the Broncos and liked playing games. Cards were his favorite. He really enjoyed playing cards with his sister (even though she would cheat). He liked to play Yahtzee and get a full house.
One of his favorite memories was going to Las Vegas, Disneyland, and the beach with his family. Darrel loved to write letters, whether it be thanking someone or cussing them out. He liked old school country music. He liked attending Special Olympics. He liked to go to the Sundance Lounge and watch people sing karaoke. He loved to go camping and fishing. Darrel enjoyed going to Deadwood to gamble on the poker chip table.
Darrel enjoyed going out to eat at Prime Rib, Granny’s, Village Inn, and Perkins, with his family. Darrel like to order extra ranch and eat it with a spoon. Darrel loved to eat mixed berry pie. Darrel also enjoyed going out to eat with his friends, sister, case manager, and guardian. Darrel always made sure his server’s received “a large and free tip.”
Darrel liked to help cook, sleep, and watch TV. Voting and patriotism are something that was very important to Darrel. He always made sure he was informed and voted. He loved his spa days and getting his fingers and toenails painted.
When the camera came out, so did his middle fingers.
He was very giving. Darrel didn’t like to see people go without. He tried to make sure everyone had what they needed and tried to take good care of his sister. Darrel was a great advocate for people that could not advocate for themselves. He made sure everyone had a voice. He knew his rights and helped others advocate for theirs. Darrel did not like to see people upset. He would comfort those in need of comfort in a very quiet and gentle way. Darrel had a very big heart and was very kind.
Darrel was everyone’s friend, “he was a hero in our midst.”
His guardian would like to thank all of Darrel’s care givers and his case manager for their care. Darrel was very happy in his home and community. His providers made sure he had a good quality of life.
Darrel is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Mary Hart and his older brother Greg.
Darrel is Survived by his sister Cheryl Cockley.
Cheryl says, “he was a good brother to me.”
Memorial service for Darrel will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2023 at Walker Funeral Home with Pastor Ernie Bishop officiating.
Marshall Morgan: March 18, 1938 — January 16, 2023
Marshall Morgan 84 of Inman, South Carolina, previously Gillette, Wyoming passed away Monday, January 16, 2023.
Marshall Jerome Morgan was born March 18, 1938, on the Morgan family sheep ranch south of Gillette, WY, to parents Alfreda Myrtle (Deaver) and Norvin Dwight (N.D.) Morgan, and died January 16th, 2023 in Greenville, South Carolina. He set the record for the baby born with biggest head in Campbell County up to that point in time and was delivered by the local veterinarian, whom he was named after. He was the 14th of 15 children. He lived on the family ranch until around tenth grade, when he moved to Story, WY (which was Heaven on earth to him). He graduated from Sheridan High School and sang in one of the traveling choirs while attending Montana Institute of the Bible.
Marsh married his childhood sweetheart, Beverly Anne Freese, on July 23, 1960, in Story, WY, at Story Chapel and had to walk to his wedding because everyone left the house earlier, thinking he had already gone to the church. Although they got married with only the few clothes they owned and five dollars in their pocket, some thought the wedding was straight out of a fairy-tale. They had four children – Mark, Merrillene, Michelle, and Melinda.
After marrying Beverly, he was drafted into the army in 1961 and moved to eastern VA to serve stateside for the Cuban Missile Crisis until 1963 (with an honorable discharge in 1967), then lived on a parcel of Morgan family ranch south of Gillette, WY, which he made into (and did all the work himself) the “Morgan Trailer Court,” for most of his adult life.
He worked as a Fuller Brush door-to-door salesman in Billings, Mont., gas station attendant in Sundance, WY, and then held various jobs in Gillette as: electrician; carpenter; U.S. Post Office employee; WyoDak employee; and, welder on various coal silos for Fairfield construction, and then as a Wright Hwy Dept. employee. He also managed and maintained the “Morgan Trailer Court,” as well as haying and baling the property every year. Bev and Marsh also lived in: Wright, WY.; Buffalo, WY; Glenrock, WY; Torrington, WY; Sidney, NE; Morrill, NE; and finally, Wellford and Inman, SC.
He was led to the Lord and accepted Him as his Savior through the influence of his future father-in-law – (William) Merrill Freese. During his lifetime, he served in various capacities in the churches of which he was a member.
His favorite pastime was hunting, fishing, camping, riding motorbikes, hiking in the mountains, creating iron sculptures & other things by hand, teasing family members, and looking for interesting rocks and artifacts. He had his own shop where the men of the trailer court hung out, fixed their vehicles and told tall tales. He enjoyed spending time with his brother-in-law, Gordon Freese, who he considered as his little brother, and they traveled around Alaska together for his retirement trip.
In his later years, he had to move to South Carolina to be near his daughter, Melinda and her husband Dan, who helped him take care of his ailing wife, Beverly. And they eventually helped him during his ailing health and dementia. He remained ever faithful and loyal to Jesus Christ. He lead many people to the saving knowledge of his Lord and Savior, as his last spoken words was “Jesus”!
Proceeding him in death were his parents Norvin (N.D.) and Alfreda Morgan, siblings: Darlene, Lyla, Harriette, Freda Janet, (Minnie) Jane, Patricia, Joanne, William, Norvin Deaver (Jr.), James, John, Donald, and Mary as well as his younger brother-in-law, Gordon Freese.
Family members who remain include his wife Beverly of 62 plus years, son Mark and Jenny Morgan , Columbia Falls, MT – children: Joslyn and husband Jude and Jazymn; Fran and daughter Merrillene Wood (Carrasco) Spain – her children: Trevor and Brienna Wood, and Nehemiah Carrasco ; Cary and daughter Michelle Nelson, Trinidad, CO – children and families: Decklyn and Amy Nelson and children – Casey, Charlotte, Cohen; Anna and Ty Wilson; and, Whitney Nelson; and, daughter Melinda and husband Dan Boyce, Inman, SC – step-children and -grandchildren. His only surviving sibling is Richard (Dick) Morgan. And 80 plus nieces and nephews that he loved very much.
Eileen M Meister: 1933 – 2023
Eileen M. Meister, 89, formerly of Laramie WY, died Monday, Jan. 16, at Campbell County Health, Gillette WY.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church and burial will be in the Green Hill Cemetery immediately following.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Montgomery Stryker Mortuary Tuesday evening with a rosary recited at 6:00. Eileen was born Oct. 18, 1933 in Holyoke CO to Joe W. and Virginia Dunn. The family lived in nearby Venango NE where Eileen spent the first 10 years of her life.
In 1943 the family relocated to Laramie WY. Eileen graduated from Laramie Senior High School in 1951. During high school, Eileen met James E. Meister through his sisters and the couple got married in El Paso TX (army base) in 1952. Eileen dedicated her life to her family and was an avid seamstress.
She worked part time at the Student Health Services on UW campus. Later on, she enjoyed traveling and supporting grandchildren and great grandchildren in their many activities and sporting events. She also enjoyed the warmth of Arizona in the winter months.
Ms. Meister is survived by her children Kathie (Jerry) Means of Gillette WY, Ken Meister of Billings MT and Dave (Jennifer) Meister of New Enterprise Pennsylvania; two sisters Margie Huntzinger of San Ramon CA and Lois Irving of Laramie WY and one brother Dale Dunn of Laramie.
Additional survivors include seven grandchildren Shawn (Tim) Galles of Casper WY, Shelby (Melanie) Means, Stephenie Means, Shanele (Charlie) Wilson all of Gillette WY, Seth (Courtney) Means of Kelowna BC Canada, Riley Meister of Yakima WA, Molly Meister of Peoria IL and twelve great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James E. Meister and grandson Jake Meister.
Henry L Wasserburger Jr.: 1931 – 2023
Henry L. Wasserburger, Jr. was born May 18, 1931, the first born son to Henry L. Wasserburger, Sr and Anne Josephine Pfister Wasserburger in Lusk, Wyoming.
Henry attended Fairview Rural School until the 8th grade. He then boarded in Lusk where he attended Lusk High School and graduated May 1949. During high school he was an outstanding football player and was selected as an All-State guard. He also played the saxophone and was a member of the band for the Legend of Rawhide Pageant.
After graduation he attended Regis College in Denver for one year. His love of sports carried him to many Denver area football and basketball games during that year. After that first year of college, he returned home to the family ranch north of Lusk.
On September 12, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Opal Wilson. From this union 5 children were born: Henry L, the 3rd, Jolene Lorraine (Tom), Joel David (Laurie), Thomas Lee (Val), and William Jeffrey (Tracy). Henry worked with his father, until his passing in 1983, at which time, he took over as the active manager of the ranch. In 1978, JD returned to the ranch. In May 1979, Henry, Lorraine, and JD formed the Bootheel Seven Livestock partnership, which is in existence today. Lorraine passed away January 4, 1999.
Henry was a very lucky man and on August 11, 2000, he married the second love of his life, Yvonne (Bonnie) Baures in Casper, Wyoming. His love of travel continued as they traveled extensively to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and United States of America. He boasted that he had traveled to all 50 states. They enjoyed dancing, live music, theater, and just being together. In 2008, Henry fully retired and since that time has lived at Bonnie’s ranch west of Casper. His biggest joy was to return to the family ranch to look at the cattle and see the progress the new generation has made.
Henry loved watching any sports that involved a Lusk team. He especially loved watching family members, whether it be his kids or grandkids, competing or participating in any extracurricular activities.
Henry’s love of the ranch never ceased. He was extremely proud in 2016, when the ranch was honored at the Wyoming State Fair for the 100th year Anniversary. This past fall in 2022, Bootheel Seven Livestock was awarded and honored to receive the National Certified Angus Beef Award for Commercial Commitment to Excellence in Phoenix, Arizona. Henry and Bonnie, along with many other family members, went to Phoenix to receive the award.
Henry was a life time member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Lusk. He was also a 58 year member of the Elks Lodge 1797. He was active in community affairs. He served 12 years on the Niobrara County School Board and 12 years on the Niobrara County Hospital Board. Henry also served 9 years on the ASCS committee and 6 years on Farmers Home Board. He was especially proud in 1980 when the ranch was selected for the ASCS State Conservation Award. In that same year, he was chosen for the Outstanding Alumni from Niobrara County and was the honored speaker at the Alumni Banquet. 4-H was another of Henry’s passions and he was selected as the outstanding supporter of Niobrara County 4-H.
Henry had an infectious laugh and was always good for a story. His historical accuracy was spot on. He never met a stranger and was always welcoming and charming to those he met. His ability to communicate with others proved valuable in order to broker compromise between parties. These characteristics made Henry an important part of this community which he loved.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 5 stepchildren, Susan (Bob) Rowland, Diane (Doug) Witcher, Brian(Linda), Tracy (Tanya), and Todd Baures, and sister, Jean.
Services to be held:
Rosary – Sunday, January 22 at 5:00 pm held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church
Mass of Christian Burial –Monday, January 23 at 10:00 am at St. Leo’s Catholic Church
Internment at the Lusk Cemeterys
