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Obituaries: Bakker; Crawford, Sr.; Timmer; Werbelow

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Steven Hollis Bakker

Steven Hollis Bakker: 1965 – 2023

Steve was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. He passed away in his home on Saturday, May 27.

He was an incredibly great uncle to his nephews and had a big heart.

He is survived by his nieces, Amanda Becker,  Raelene Malson, Naya Turner, and nephew Colt Unger.

Steve’s wish was to not have a service but to be spread in California where he felt was home.


James Lee Crawford Sr.

James Lee Crawford Sr.: 1947 – 2023

Jim passed away surrounded by his family in Pahrump Nevada.  He was born to parents Warren D and Alice J Crawford in Billings Montana.

Jim married Marlene Kainu on September 18, 1967 in Meeker Colorado.  They were blessed with two children, daughter Tracy and son James Jr.

Jim served in the Army in Kitzingen, Germany. 

After his military service he worked in the oil fields and coal mines from West Virginia to Wyoming.  He spent several years working at Cordero Mining Co. in Gillette Wyoming, and at Newmont Gold mine in Elko Nevada in the safety department.  When he left Newmont, he didn’t leave mining behind.  He opened the family business Safety First Training and Consulting Services, Inc. in Elko teaching both mine safety in occupational safety.

Jim spent his free time hunting, fishing, ATVing, and bowling.  Because of his love of music and dancing, he began calling square dances with fellow callers in Gillette Wyoming, and then became the club caller for the Sagebrush Spinners in Elko Nevada.

Jim and Marlene retired to travel south with their co-pilots, Jasper and Rascal, to enjoy the “no shovel required” weather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Crawford and Alice Trevino; brothers, Jerry Crawford and John Trevino; grandson Taylor Layne Tornow; and grandparents Adolph and Bee Roat.

Jim is survived by his wife Marlene; children Tracy Thompson (Wells Nevada) and James Crawford Jr. (Red Lodge Montana); sisters Jane Trevino and family (Cibolo Texas) and Kathy Trevino and family (Tulsa Oklahoma); granddaughter Sara Marker and great-granddaughter Allison Marker (Gillette Wyoming); nephews Michael, Cory, and Justin Crawford and families; niece Dawnula Koukol, and extended Trevino family in Texas.  He is also survived by Zane Coleman, who always brought a smile to Jim’s face!

A remembrance will be held on June 17 2023, 10:00 a.m., at the Elks Lodge: 114 Broadway Ave N., Red Lodge, Montana

“The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind.”
– Unknown


James Timmer

James Timmer: 1941 – 2023

James Joseph Timmer, “Jim” to all that knew him, passed away on May 25, 2023. 

Jim was born on the July 3, 1941 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Ray and Hilda Timmer.  He was the third of six boys and one girl. 

He was raised in Estelline, South Dakota in a small farmhouse without running water or electricity.  He married the love of his life, Penelope “Penny” Jo Schave, on June 22, 1963 and had 6 beautiful children. 

While working at Lakeside Dairy in Sioux Falls, he and his brother Ron started a concrete business they ran after hours from their full-time jobs.  On Aug 29, 1977, Jim and Penny moved to Gillette, Wyoming with their 5 children: Lynette “Net”, Laurie, Lonnie “Bud”, Lance “Tigger” and Leah “Toodles”.   Jim then provided for his family for the next 26 years working for the AMAX coal mine.   During this period, he spent much of his time coaching a variety of basketball teams, playing a significant role in developing the Midget Basketball Program in Gillette.  After retiring from the coal mine, Jim and Penny started Wyoming Iron, a metal arts craft company, producing products sold to a variety of patrons throughout the region.  The efforts of “peddling” their hard-won products resulted in a multitude of friends and lifelong memories they both treasured. 

Jim valued his bowling, rodeos, car races, camping, fishing and whiskey.   But whatever he was doing, he valued most his time with Penny, his family and friends.  Everything was better with grandpa’s “medicine” (peppermint schnapps).  A perfect night to Jim was a night out dancing with Penny followed by a full helping of “cackle berries”.

He is preceded in death by his mother; father; brothers Roger “Rog” and Terry; his sister Connie; daughter Lana; son Lonnie “Bud”; granddaughter Anna; great-granddaughter Tatum; and great-grandson Sinsere. 

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Penny; brothers Dave, Ron, and Doug; daughters Lynette (Grover) Frost, Laurie Timmer and Leah (Nathan) Williams; son Lance (Margaret) Timmer; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.


Linda Werbelow

Linda Werbelow: 1950 – 2023

Linda Carol Werbelow, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and educator passed away peacefully on May 25, 2023 at The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones who will cherish her memory forever.

Linda was born on May 20, 1950 in Cordell, Oklahoma to Albert and Helen McGrath, sister to Jim and Jerry McGrath, and Maryann Dremel.

Linda dedicated most of her life to teaching. She started her career as a teacher at Ralph Witters Elementary in Thermopolis, Wyoming from 1972-1975 before continuing her calling at various elementary schools such as East Side, Meadowlark, and Wagonwheel Schools in the Campbell County School District. Her love for teaching did not stop there; she became the School District Elementary Math Facilitator from 2000 to 2010 before retiring that same year.

Aside from teaching young minds, Linda also had a lifelong passion for crafting. She found peace in quilting, beading and jewelry making as well as origami. Many knew Linda as an outstanding artist who always brought joy to those around her with her beautiful handmade creations. She belonged to several groups devoted to quilting, beading, and jewelry-making in town which allowed her to share her love for these arts with others.

Linda was a remarkable woman who left behind countless people whose lives she touched just by being herself. A loving wife to John Werbelow; devoted mother to Liana [Doug] Scribner, Selina [Pete] Rodriguez, and Joshua Werbelow; and a doting grandmother to Travis, Samuel, Lucas, Max, and Charlie. Linda also leaves behind a loving sister, Maryann Dremel.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Linda’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 1001 E 9th St., Gillette, Wyoming on June 2, 2023. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Linda Carol Werbelow will be deeply missed by those who knew her. Her contributions to both education and the community have left an abundance of positive results which will continue for many years to come. May she rest peacefully knowing that those whose lives she touched on earth shall carry on with the same virtues that made Linda an exceptional human being.

Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716.

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