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Obituaries: Kemerling; Sundermeyer

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George Henry Kemerling

George Henry Kemerling: 1938 – 2024

George Henry Kemerling, age 86, died October 13, 2024, at Campbell County Hospital of natural causes.

George was born on September 2, 1938, in Oshkosh, Nebraska, to William Edger Ray Kemerling and Esther Jane (Botker) Kemerling. He was the fifth of nine children and was raised near Oshkosh, where he attended a one-room rural school.

In May of 1956, he graduated from Garden County High School and shortly after was drafted into the US Army and served as a medic in Germany for two years. After his discharge in 1964, he roughnecked on oil rigs in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming and eventually settled in Gillette, Wyoming. While George was working in Buffalo, Wyoming he met, fell in love, and married Georgia “Dordy” Myers and gained three daughters with this union. George and Dordy raised their family in Buffalo and later moved to Gillette. They later divorced but remained really good friends. In 1968 after moving to Gillette, George and his brother Bill started an oil field dirt business, Kemerling Brothers Construction, that lasted 45 years. He also worked for his brother’s welding business for many years.

In later years, George met Cindy Edwards, and through this relationship, he gained Cindy’s two grown daughters and a young son, AJ. Cindy passed in 2022, but George continued to share a house with AJ.

George loved elk hunting and got a Bighorn sheep in 1974. He also enjoyed boating, camping, fishing and paddle fishing and patiently shared these adventures with his grandkids.

George was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 2 nieces and special friend Cindy.

He is survived by his daughters: Jodi Myers, Kim (John) Peters, and Tanya Myers; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; special niece and nephew, Jayne Cudmore and Billy Kemerling; Renita, Iantha, and AJ Edwards; sisters, Rena Heath and Flossie Bradley; sister-in-law, Neva Kemerling; and many nieces and nephews.


Barbara Ann Sundermeyer: 1952 – 2024

Memorial service for Barbara Sundermeyer will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Dena Knox officiating.

Barbara Ann Sundermeyer, age 72, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024, after a lengthy battle with colon cancer.

Barbara was born to John and Lola Rolfing in Caledonia, Minnesota on October 1, 1952. She attended Caledonia public schools where she was a member of the band. She also worked as a lifeguard at the community swimming pool in the summer. Her parents instilled a fierce loyalty to family and community.

After graduating from high school in 1971, Barbara attended Winona State University where she earned a degree in elementary education. After teaching for a year at the catholic school in Caledonia, Barbara set her sights west and accepted a teaching position in Gillette. She also worked part-time at the pool in the recreation center.

In 1986, Barbara married Steve Sundermeyer. In 1987, the couple decided to move closer to family and she accepted a position with the Winona Public Schools. Barbara gave birth to two sons, earned a Master’s degree, and retired from the Winona School District in 2008.

After sending their sons off to college, the couple moved back to Gillette where she finished her career with the Campbell County School District. Barbara loved teaching, it was her heart and soul.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 38 years, Steve; sons, Sam and his wife Ann, Max and his wife Amy; four grandsons; and her sister, Roxie Kreisel and her husband, Gary.

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