Elaine Richert (85), of Casper, passed away peacefully on the evening of Thurs. Jan. 25th, at Shepherd of the Valley engulfed in the love of her daughter & granddaughter after a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Elaine was born Aug. 13th 1932 in Seattle, WA. to Ray & Marie Vaughan, but was raised in Modesto, CA. She later married & moved to Walnut Creek CA. where she had 2 daughters Denise, Kim, & a son Matt.
She was a wonderful stay at home mom but the children grew up & moved away to start lives & family’s of their own. She then took a job at the SF Chronicle where she worked until she retired. Her oldest daughter Denise, moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where she married & had 2 boys Kyle & Robbie. Her 2nd daughter Kim moved to Wyoming & had a son Tony and a daughter Mandy.
After visiting both Florida & Wyoming when her grandchildren were born she fell in love with the wide open space of Wyoming & decided to make Casper her home in 1994 to be near her daughter & granddaughter.
She worked for many years at the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra & was head usher for all the concerts, which she thoroughly enjoyed being a lover of music, art, & culture. She also had her own business teaching both Yoga & Tai-Chi classes at Casper College & other Fitness Clubs in Casper. She was quite proud of her certifications in these fields getting to go to Hawaii twice to study with the Grand Master. Her favorite phrase was “Do what you love & the money will come.”
Elaine volunteered for several charities & had endless energy, never showing signs of slowing down even into her 80’s. She could be found riding her bicycle up Garden Creek, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking one of the many trails on Casper Mountain her favorite place to be, taking beautiful photos of nature along the way. She also enjoyed going to the Beacon every now & then to kick up her heels on some good country dancing.
She was definitely a “Free Spirit” who was confident in who she was & enjoyed life to the fullest!!!
Elaine is preceded in death by her parents Ray & Marie Vaughan & her oldest daughter Denise O’Donnell.
She is survived by her older sister Gerri Smith of CA; daughter Kim Muckley & granddaughter
Mandy Windsor both of Casper; a son Matt Richert of CA.; two grandsons Kyle O’Donnell & Robbie O’Donnell both of FL.; a grandson Tony Paull of OR.; a granddaughter Jessica Richert & a grandson Michael Richert both of CA.
Her granddaughter Mandy best described her… “She spoke for those who didn’t have a voice… loved without limits… and always pushed back. She walked to the beat of her own drum, shined with brilliance & empowered woman even in the days it wasn’t popular.”
She was very loved & will be greatly missed by many….
There will be no service at her request. Instead she asked that you give a donation to one of her favorite charities listed below & remember to be happy & live life to the fullest!!!
Charitable donations may be made to:
Alzheimer’s Association
2232 Dell Range Blvd. #220, Cheyenne WY 82009
Tel: 1-307-316-2892
Web: http://alz.org
Meals On Wheels
1760 E. 12th Street, Casper WY 82601
Tel: 1-307-265-8659
Wyoming Symphony Orchestra
225 S. David Suite B, Casper WY 82601
Tel: 1-307-266-1478
Web: http://wyomingsymphony.org/support
Debra Lee McLean, age 64, of Casper, passed away January 27, 2018 at her home. Debra was born April 29, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio to Richard and Patsey (Brunner) Wolfe. She is survived by her brother Richard Wolfe the 2nd (Rick), and 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Son, Cody (Kate) McLean, her Daughter, Jennifer (Paul) Wells, Joshua James McLean, Grandson, Ezra McLean, Granddaughter, Zoe McLean, grandson, Dillan Wells, grandson, Russell Wells, and best friend Brenda Steadman.
Debra had a loving and kind attitude towards everyone around her. Her stubbornness to give up was uplifting and an inspiration to her children and everybody she encountered in life. Her bright smile and humor will be missed. Deb retired from Wear Parts after 25 years of service in the coal, oil and gas industry. She could often be found playing with the grandchildren or bingo, darts, and dominoes with her family and friends before sudden illness took her away from those who loved her.
Her compassion for everyone will never be forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 11:00am until 3:00pm, at the family home, 210 East F Street, Casper, Wyoming, 82601.
Richard Peterson of Casper, Wyoming passed away peacefully on January 23, 2018 at the age of 90. Born at home in a Continental Oil camp outside of Edgerton, Wyoming on January 21, 1928, he was the second of three children born to Rasmus and Erma (Beliel) Peterson. He attended school in Midwest, Parkerton, Gurnsey, and Fort Laramie, following his fathers work as a pumper for Continental Oil. He considered Fort Laramie as his home High School, but his father’s work took him to Billings Montana, where he graduated at semester to join the navy just after his 17th birthday in 1945. He was assigned to LST 648 and was present at Tokyo Bay the day the Japanese signed the surrender to the Allied Nations on September 2nd, 1945. He spent the next 11 months in Japan until his discharge in August, 1946.
After his service he returned to Bridger Montana where he purchased an Oval E service station. After a year he decided to look for a career that you didn’t have to work 7 days a week and had better benefits. He heard that the telephone company was hiring lineman in Wyoming and on September 9th, 1947 he hired on with Mountain Bell Telephone company. On weekends he would head back to Bridger where he met Alice Skorupa, that he married on February 20th, 1949. After their wedding Richard and Alice Traveled with the Line Crew to 23 different towns in Wyoming over the next 10 years, and had 2 children Rick, and Vicki while on the road. With a 3rd child on the way Richard (Pete) decided to take a Junior Engineers position in Casper and settle down. While in Casper 2 more children Brion and Yvonne were added to the family while Pete worked his way up to District Engineer with over 45 engineers working under him in the early 1980’s. On December 30th, 1983 he retired from the telephone company (now Quest) with over 36 years of service.
Richard and Alice were able to Travel to many countries including England, Scotland, France, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the Caribbean. They also traveled to much of the United States in their Motor Home. He enjoyed all forms of hunting from birds and small game to Elk, spending many a snowy November north of Dubois hunting Spring Mountain and Elkhorn Ridge. He also enjoyed fishing from Brookies in the Big Horns to Walleyes and several 40 inch plus Northern Pike in Canada.
Richard was a 60 plus year member of Christ United Methodist Church. A 60 year member of the American Legion where he served as Commander and in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Had all 4 children in the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corp, and in 1969 followed the Troopers on their 28 day tour to Toronto, Canada, to the East Coast down to Atlanta, across to New Orleans and back to Wyoming. Member of the Telephone Pioneers, 30 plus year member of the Shrine, T Patrol. And Avid Snowmobiler making the 500 mile MS ride from Lander to West Yellowstone and Cody several times.
The Cabin he built on Casper Mountain was his favorite place to go to relax and sit on the deck where you can see all the way to the Bighorn Mountains.
Richard is survived by his sons Richard Gene Peterson and Brion (Teresa) Peterson; daughter Yvonne (Jack) Pulanco; grandchildren Chad (Stacy) Myron, Velvet Tyler, Nathan (Carey) Myron, J.C. Pulanco, Sonya Lappi, Dustin Peterson, Garrett Peterson, Shay Wolf, Wade Wohl; great grandchildren Sterling, Amora, Chase, and Liam.
Richard was preceeded in death by his wife of 67 years Alice, his Parents, his brothers Gail and Franklin, and daughter Vicki Beck.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 Monday, January 29th, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church at 1868 S. Poplar with Pastor Dan O’Dell officiating. Internment will take place at 11:00 at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. With a lunch and memories to follow Back at Christ United Methodist Church.
Viewing will be from 3:00 to 5:00 on Sunday, January 28th at Bustard’s Funeral Home who is assisting the family with arrangements. Please make any Memorials to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.
