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Obituaries: Buckmiller; Kaul; Schirmer

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Benjamin Buckmiller

Benjamin Buckmiller: 1931 – 2023

Benjamin Herbert Buckmiller – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend – passed away in his sleep at Legacy in Gillette, Wyoming on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. He was 92 years old.

Benjamin Herbert was born to Benjamin Harrison and Orpha June (Glass) Buckmiller in Hot Springs, South Dakota on March 27, 1931. He went by numerous names: Herbert, Herb, Bert, Bertie and his favorite – Buck. As a child,  Buck spent time with his mother in Cheyenne and time at the ranch with his dad. He joined the Army in 1952. Buck was a paratrooper in the 11st Airborne Division and wore his jump wings proudly pinned to his uniform and later in life pinned to his favorite cap. After discharge Buck married his wife Irene Esther Ames on September 2, 1954 and they moved to Texas where Buck went to LeTourneau Tech. for an electrical engineering degree. Buck and Irene moved back to Moorcroft where Buck owned and operated Buck’s Electric, wiring many homes and businesses in and around Moorcroft and Gillette until 1970. Upon the death of his father, Buck and Irene moved to the ranch north of Moorcroft.

Buck and Irene loved to travel. They went to many places including San Juan, Switzerland, Angel Falls Venezuela, Alaska, Hawaii and on several cruises. In later years Deadwood was a favorite getaway. 

Buck was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Orpha; one son, Mike Buckmiller; and one grandson, Brandon Buckmiller.

Buck is survived by his wife of 69 years, Irene; children: Kali Lake, Kevin Buckmiller, Shannon (Clint) Reynolds, Dustin (Melissa) Buckmiller: 9 grandchildren, Stephanie McKown, Geneil Hansen, Matt Lake, Michael Buckmiller, Keith Reynolds, Kirby Reynolds, Bayli Buckmiller, Darbi Buckmiller, Sean Buckmiller and 10 great-grandchildren.

Grandpa Buck fully enjoyed his life and his family and those who met him never forgot him or his iconic jumpsuits. Memorials can be made to the Friends of the Library as he was an avid reader.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be conducted for Buck on Tuesday, November 21 at Moorcroft Cemetery, beginning at 11am.


Maxine L. Kaul

Maxine L. Kaul: 1930 – 2023

Funeral service for Maxine Kaul will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church; interment to follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2023 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.

Maxine L. (Whetham) Kaul was born December 28, 1930 in the village of Lynch, in rural Boyd County, Nebraska. The first child of Robert Edgar and Vada Izora Long Whethem, she weighed 4 pounds 2 ounces at birth and was given the middle names of her two aunt Helen’s. 

Maxine graduated from Spencer High School in 1948 with a certificate in teaching third grade. She taught for one and a half years before marrying the love of her life, Gerald “Mort” Reinhold Kaul. The two were married in Seward, Nebraska in 1950 and later that year Maxine gave birth to their first child, Leland Lee. The family then moved to Chadron, Nebraska, where in 1953 Mort finished his degree in Elementary Education. That same year they welcomed their second child, Gregory Allen and moved to Newcastle, Wyoming. It was in Newcastle that their last two children were born: Janet Marie, their only daughter, in 1955 and Kelly Joe in 1960. The couple raised the family in their home at 121 Mystic Avenue, where Maxine continued to live until moving to Primrose in Gillette, Wyoming in 2019.

In addition to being a full-time wife and mother, in 1975 she and Mort entered the restaurant business. For four years they owned and operated the Tesoro, a truck stop cafe in Newcastle open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Maxine and Mort were also charter members of Newcastle’s Grace Lutheran Church, where they were both baptized in 1959.

Among her many interests and pursuits, Maxine’s love of history stands out most of all. It was this passion that led her to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and become a proud supporter of the VFW. She was a member in good standing of the Wyoming Historical Society, and her dedication sparked what would become an important life’s work and legacy. Maxine wrote several books chronicling her own family history, along with many other books and papers on the history of northeastern Wyoming.

Maxine Kaul was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald “Mort” Reinhold Kaul; as well as their firstborn son, Leland Lee; and beloved daughter-in-law, Elaine Rae Kaul. 

She is survived by her son Gregory Allen and his wife, Debbie; daughter Janet Marie Williamson and her husband, Jim; as well as her youngest child, Kelly Joe.  She leaves behind countless friends and family, including many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even a great-great grandchild. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. 


Louise Marie Schirmer

Louise Marie Schirmer: 1939 – 2023

Louise Marie Schirmer 84 of, Gillette Wyoming passed away on November 14, 2023, at Campbell County Memorial Health of natural causes. Louise was born in Gillette, Wyoming Margrett Satter (Carl) and Lauretta Rodgers and Edward Sanmann on January 28, 1939.

She received a bachelor’s degree in business in 2017. The majority of her life was spent being a respite nurse to those in need. She was active in Special Olympics with her granddaughter, Ashley.

Her favorite hobbies included spending time with family, crocheting, and reading. She is well known for decorating and making baby blankets for the hospitals in Hot Springs, South Dakota where her grandkids were born.

Louise is survived by her children: Hailley (Derrick) Worthington, Russ Laher, Ron and (Carol) Laher, Linda and (Victor) Millian, Dan Jr. and (Tracey) Laher, Greg (Lauralee) Laher, Sue Laher, Leasa Domingez, and Jay Laher. She had a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren including: Kylie, Recce, Casey, Chris, Edwardo, Ava, and Casey Jr. as well as many others.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Henery; sisters: Wanda, Madylyn, and Mildred; first husband, Dan Laher; second husband, Leon Schirmer; daughters: Dorothy Laher, Ivy Laher and Brenda (Jim) McRae.

There will be a service on January 26, 2024, at Mt. Pisgah at 1:00 p.m. in Gillette Wyoming followed by a celebration of life afterward.

Louise will be loved and missed by so many, she lived a great full life of love and has been called home to rest with the angels. In lieu of flowers memorials and condolences may be sent in care Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716.

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