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Obituaries: Bauer; Best

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Jan Bauer

Jan Bauer: 1943 – 2025

Jan was born November 4, 1943, in New York City to Jeanette Dunlop Turner, joining her older sister, Ann and, later, a younger brother, James. When she was seven, the family moved to Apache Junction, Arizona to operate the Canyon Rock Lodge on the slope of Superstition Mountain. That’s where her love for the outdoors and horseback riding began.

Jan graduated from Scottsdale High School and married Dan Morton. They welcomed their first son, Robert Danson in 1961. He passed away in 1963. They had Robert Bruce in 1964, followed by Ann Lee, in 1965. The family later moved from Scottsdale to Tucson where Dan began a career in real estate.

In 1976, Jan helped her best friend, Pam Kevin Chambers, move back home to Casper, Wyoming. During the move, Jan fell in love with Wyoming and, following her divorce from Dan, she moved to Douglas. Jan met and fell in love with Gene Bauer; they married in 1980. They made their home on the Garland’s 6G Ranch near Esterbrook and enjoyed camping, hunting, and taking care of their horses. They both worked for Exxon’s Highland Uranium Mine outside of Douglas. She worked her way up from underground miner to Radiation Safety Officer. She was very proud of her work in the uranium industry. Gene passed away in 1995 and is buried on the 6G.

Jan began her next adventure by moving to Gillette in 2004 to live near her daughter and grandsons, Jacob and Lucas Edwards. They were her pride and joy, and she would do anything to spoil them! She was affectionately known as “GJ” for Grandma Jan.

In 2019, she was baptized in the LDS church and was blessed by her friendships with Lorna DeJong, Malinda Roberts and the Israelsen family. They regularly visited, cared for her and took her to church.

Her health rapidly declined in 2023, and she moved to assisted living in Sundance, then comfort care in Sheridan. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Big Horn Rehabilitation in Sheridan on January 22.

Jan was preceded in death by her two sons; second husband; sister; and mother. She is survived by her daughter, Ann (Steve) Harbour of Gillette; grandsons, Jacob of Ft Collins and Lucas of Cheyenne; and her ex-husband, Dan (now of New Milford, Connecticut) who remained her friend and, in later years, helped with her caretaking.

Her ashes will be interred in Douglas this summer; a service is not planned at this time. Donations may be made to the Anna Bosma Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Big Horn Pediatrics & Family Medicine.


Kacee Dawn Best: 2007 – 2025

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day…. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.”

Kacee Dawn Best, 17, gained her wings on January 20, 2025 in Lampasas, Texas. Kacee was born on February 22, 2007 in Gillette, Wyoming to Dusty and Tammy (Veal) Best.

Kacee grew up in Gillette Wyoming, later moving to Lampasas, Texas with her family, where she spent a majority of her childhood. Growing up, she spent her time outdoors jumping on the trampoline, camping and playing in the water.

As Kacee grew up, she loved going to the racetrack with her dad as his crew chief, spending time with her mom shopping and getting their nails done, and spending countless hours talking to her sister, Mackenzie and brother, Dillon.

She was an avid baker, very artistic, and into the latest beauty trends with her crazy hair and wild eyelashes.

On October 14, 2023 Kacee and Howard Watson gave birth to a handsome 5lb 6.9oz baby boy, Elwood James in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she lived with her dad and sister. Elwood was the center of Kacee’s world as she spent her days taking care of him and including him in everything she did. In July 2024, Kacee decided to make the move with Elwood, back to Lampasas, Texas, where she lived with her mom and made plans for her future.

Kacee was preparing to get her GED so that she could reach her dreams of one day becoming a NICU or PICU nurse. Her bubbling personality touched many, even in her most stubborn moments, and she will always be remembered for her bright smile, infectious laugh and quirky attitude. Her funny snap chats, Facetime conversations, and photos that would make you laugh are going to be a huge absence to many. Kacee was taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed but we all know she will forever be looking down on all of us.

Kacee was preceded in death by grandparents, Leon and Mary Ann Best of Torrington, Wyoming; and cousin, Madison Cook of Torrington, Wyoming

Kacee is survived by son Elwood James of Lampasas, Texas; Elwood’s father, Howard Watson of Lampasas, Texas; father, Dusty Best (Amanda Staley) of Strasburg, Colorado; mother, Tammy Best (Derrick McLaren) of Lampasas, Texas; sister, Mackenzie Best (Waylon Smothers) of Cheyenne, Wyoming; brother, Dillon Best (Mackenzie Crom) of Lampasas, Texas; nephews, Oaklynd and Ryder Best of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and many other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at Sneed Carnley Funeral Chapel, 201 E. 3rd St, Lampasas Texas on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 12 p.m.

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