George Ann Burch: 1946 – 2024
George Ann Burch, 77, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother died Tuesday Feb. 13, 2024 at her Rozet, Wyoming, home with her family by her side.
George Ann was born March 15, 1946, in Gillette, Wyoming, to Irvine and Nora Pickrel. George Ann loved life on the ranch and was happy to working and helping the family. In 1964, George Ann graduated From Gillette High School and went on to take college classes at the University of Wyoming.
George Ann married Leon “Max” Burch on September 18, 1965. The two worked side by side on the ranch and continued to help it grow. They were blessed with twin boys, Matthew and Chad. George Ann worked on the ranch her whole life in several different ways; she ran the books, fed the hired hands, cooked for brandings, and much, much more. She really loved and took care of everyone.
She was known for her sweet spirit and heart of gold. She was an avid reader of the bible and loved to attend church at the Gillette Foursquare Church. Other hobbies included checking water or mares and colts with her husband, spending time with her family, and her cats.
George Ann is survived by her husband, Max Burch; her children, Matt (Anna) Burch; Chad Burch; her granddaughter, Bailey (Ryan) Ellenson; one great-grandson; her brother, Clinton (Rebecca) Pickrel; their three sons: Ryan (Rebecca) Pickrel, Tyler (Cassie) Pickrel, Regan (Cassandra) Pickrel; three great-nephews; three great-nieces; and many other dedicated family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nora and Irvine Pickrel; and her sisters, Shirley Dell and Mary Lynn.
George Ann will be remembered for her beautiful smile that lit up the room as soon as she walked in, her strong-willed personality, but most of all her heart. Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m., at the Gillette Memorial Chapel Gillette, Wyoming. Funeral services held Monday Feb. 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Gillette Foursquare Church in Gillette, Wyoming. Should you wish to honor her memory with a donation, Gillette Foursquare Church was near and dear to her heart.
Karen Louise Edwards: 1960 – 2024
Karen Louise Edwards (Klingler), born in the spirited town of Belle Fourche, South Dakota on August 2, 1960, embarked on her grandest adventure yet, leaving us with a lifetime of memories on February 12, 2024, in Gillette, Wyoming. Known for her boundless heart and ever-present smile, Karen transformed every act of kindness into an art form, living by the mantra that a day without laughter was a day wasted. After a storied career with the Campbell School District, Karen traded lesson plans for storybooks, retiring in 2020 to assume her most cherished role as ‘Grandma Extraordinaire.’ Her granddaughter, Emery, became the apple of her eye and the co-conspirator in cookie-baking escapades.
Karen’s green thumb was legendary; her garden was a vibrant tapestry of nature’s palette, and she often joked that she was a ‘plant whisperer.’ Her love for the great outdoors was only matched by her passion for family expeditions. From the peaks of mountains to the depths of valleys, Karen was the family’s tour guide to wonder. She is survived by her intrepid explorers: son, Chris Edwards; daughter, Kalee Edwards; and granddaughter, Emery Edwards. Her fellow adventurers also include brothers, Kirk (Connie) Klingler and Keith (Pattie) Klingler; and sister, Keelee (Ken) Frost.
Karen’s prelude was composed by her parents, Eldon Boyd Klingler and Agnes Lorraine Klingler, who set the stage for her beautiful symphony of life. The curtain will rise for one final standing ovation at St James Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 24, at 10:00 am, where friends and family are invited to share stories, laughter, and perhaps a garden tip or two.
Kline Funeral Home of Belle Fourche, South Dakota has been given the honor of orchestrating Karen’s last production. For those unable to attend Karen’s funeral service it will be live streamed in the link at the top of the obituary. As we bid farewell to Karen Louise Edwards, let us plant seeds of joy in her memory, ensuring that her garden of love continues to bloom in our hearts forever.
An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com
Clayton Oscar Jerred: 1935 – 2023
Clayton Oscar Jerred, 88, of Gillette, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. He was surrounded by his family and the staff at Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan, Wyoming.
A celebration of life begins at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, on his birthday, at High Plains Community Church.
Anyone who knew Clayton knew that he was a joy to be around, always stylish in his signature suspenders. Up until the very end he kept a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face. We’re sure he is in great debates now with his friends and family talking politics and making presidential election predictions in heaven.
Clayton was born Feb. 20, 1935, to Harold and Marie Keever Jerred in Colome, South Dakota. Clayton moved with the family and attended school in Oregon and Washington. From an early age, Clayton was mechanically gifted. His entrepreneurial spirit and endeavors served him well and helped many others.
Clayton entered the army at age 19 and served his country during the Korean War, spending nine months deployed. After being honorably discharged, Clayton became a finish blade operator on President Eisenhower’s Interstate System Project. He married the love of his life, Donna Mae Mikkelson. His job literally and figuratively paved the way to take his wife, Donna Mae and son, Ted to Gillette. Here, they started a long and successful career in real estate. Working as a power couple, Clayton and Donna Mae took the Gillette real estate scene by storm.
In addition to real estate, Clayton also owned and operated a car wash, motel, laundromat, and convenience stores. Clayton was confident that whatever business venture he started, he could successfully run, and he did. Clayton served as President of the Wyoming Association of Realtors in 1979. He also achieved Emeritus Status for his dedicated service to the association and profession. This was just one of the many honors he received while working in real estate for over 40 years. Everyone knows that the love of Clayton’s life was Donna Mae and his family. A close runner up was drag racing. It was a passion and a joy in his life. Being a family affair, Clayton enjoyed traveling and competing in NHRA drag racing events and watching Ted burn some rubber! Over the 14 years competing in NHRA events, Clayton and the team took home two Wally awards, given to winners in the NHRA sportsman classes. During this time his team also made it to the cover of Super Chevy Magazine. Clayton could put together a big block Chevy engine in his sleep. Now, even though it’s NASCAR, he’d probably oblige Dale Earnhardt and tune his motor if he needs it in heaven.
The ultimate family man, Clayton took great pleasure in watching his grandson’s sporting events. In later years, if he was at a hockey game he was there for the ice official, Derrek.
Clayton is survived by the love of his life, Donna Mae; son, Ted (Tracy); grandson, Derrek; brother, Dennis (LouAnn); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Marie Keever Jerred; siblings: Harold D. Jerred, Martha Freedman, Margaret Walter, Lillian Taggert, Ron Jerred, and Doris Cogdill.
