Valorie Kay Mayo: 1959 – 2024
Valorie Kay Mayo passed away on May 30, 2024 in Odessa Texas. Val was 64.
She was born July 25, 1959 to Robert and Laurie Mayo in Casper, Wyoming.
She attended elementary school in Shirley Basin and Gas Hills. Her family then moved to Riverton in 1970. She graduated from Riverton High School with the class of 1977.
She received a degree in graphic design from CWC in 1981. Valorie was a wonderful artist; however, she didn’t follow that path. She received her real estate license and in the year 2000, began her own real estate company, Prestige Real Estate in Casper, Wyoming.
In 1983 she married John Hurtt. Together they had 2 children, Matt and Ember.
In 1998, she married Jeff Grutkowski. They later divorced.
During her path in life, Valorie had many adventures. She enjoyed life and loved her family immensely. Her greatest joy was her only grandchild, Poppy, born in 2023.
Valorie was loved dearly by the many people in her life. She had friends and family across the country. She had a strong Christian faith, who believed in the goodness of others. She had an awesome sense of humor and a very contagious laugh.
Valorie is survived by her children: Matthew Hurtt and his wife, Brandy Hurtt; Ember Hurtt and her husband, Chris Kimball and their daughter, Poppy Hurtt; her sister, Laurie Bonifield; and her brother, Rob Mayo; also, numerous nieces and nephews.
Her celebration of life will be held September 7, at Sunset Memorial Park, Riverton Wyoming at 2 p.m.
Howard James Petersen: 1953 – 2024
Funeral service for Howard James Petersen will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Pioneer Hall in Dupree, South Dakota with Pastor Shannon Hinrich officiating. There will be one hour visitation prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Dupree Cemetery. Evans Jensen Funeral Home of Lemmon, South Dakota is entrusted with the arrangements in South Dakota. Visitation for Howard will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Gillette Memorial Chapel in Gillette, Wyoming.
Howard passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at his home in Gillette after a short battle with cancer. He was 71 years old.
Howard James Petersen was born on April 9, 1953 to Elmer “Pete” and Bonnie (Riede) Petersen in Dupree, South Dakota, where he attended school and graduated in 1971. Howard was the third of seven children; sisters: Billie, Linda, Debbie and Connie; brothers: Scott and Daniel.
He married Lila Till on December 10, 1977 and they were blessed with four children: Elmer, Ernie, Kate and Dwayne. Later, they were blessed again when they adopted Marion, Vern, Shawneequa and Stevie.
Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He spent many younger years hunting and fishing with two special uncles; Howard and George Petersen. Howard taught all of his children to hunt and fish and spent many hours snowmobiling with them. He worked as a mechanic for many years. Howard was a member of the Dupree Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
Howard is survived by his wife Lila; children: Elmer, Ernie, Kate (Nathan) Matthews, Dwayne, Marion, Shawneequa and Stevie; siblings: Billie (Mike) Hansen of Newcastle, Wyoming; Linda (Larry) Ritter of Custer, South Dakota; Connie (John) Truman of Spearfish, South Dakota; Scott (Twila) Petersen of Dickenson, North Dakota; Daniel (Ellen) Petersen of Allegany, New York; mother-in-law, Virginia Till; and brother-in-law, Ralph Fields of Chetwynd British Columbia, Canada; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer ‘Pete” and Bonnie Petersen; father-in-law, Jerry Till; son, Vern Petersen; sister, Debbie Fields; paternal grandparents, Lars and Sophie Petersen; maternal grandparents, Daniel Riede, Vance and Susanna Vaughan; two special uncles, Howard and George Petersen; and several other aunts and uncles.
Phyllis Jean Ruff: 1932 – 2024
Funeral service for Phyllis Ruff will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor George Keralis officiating; interment to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.
Phyllis Jean Ruff, age 92, a Gillette native, died on August 28, 2024, at The Lasting Legacy and Rehabilitation Center. Phyllis was born March 14, 1932, daughter of Katherine Likewise and was adopted by Charlie Peterson before starting first grade school in Rozet. She married Stergus W. Hensley on June 10, 1948, in Gillette. To this union three children were born. The couple later divorced.
On April 3, 1968, she married John M. Ruff. He passed away December 24, 2009. Phyllis was an outstanding cook, not just in one field, but many. She served family dinners at the Eagles Club over the years and had her own catering business for 23 years. Phyllis was a member of the Gillette Eagles Auxiliary #2711 for 56 years, serving as secretary for 30 years. She also served the State Eagles Auxiliary as treasurer for 21 years.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Katherine McCoy; son, Charlie (Niki) Hensley; grandsons: Rodney (Dawn) Rech, Derek (Shellie) Hensley and Justin Ruff; granddaughters: Tammy (Lloyd) Hess, Christy (Greg) Brothers, Erin (James) Davis, Trisha Regier; great-grandsons, Allen (Lori) Hess and Bradley (Tanesha) Hess, Callan Brothers, Trae (Erica) Regier, Tanner Regier, and Tyler Regier; great-granddaughters: Leigh Ann Hess, Rylee Rech, and Maura Davis; foster-daughter, Meri Hackett; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many others in loving memory.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be sent to the local Gillette Animal Shelter.
