Barbara L. Christensen: 1938 – 2023
Barbara L. Christensen, 85, of Casper, Wyoming passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center in Casper.
Mama was born in 1938 in Huntley, Wyoming to parents of Lester and Adeline Armstrong. She was one of seven siblings; eight, including a baby brother, Wesley Florence, Phillip, Glee, Virginia and David and of those Glee and David remain.
Mama met Marvin Christensen while caring for his mother in 1959 when she was a young RN and from that meeting a romance began and they were married the following year. The following year the babies started to come: Shelly and then two-and-a-half years later, Jens.
Mama is survived by her husband Marvin Christensen; and her children: Shelly Gajewski and Jens Christensen; and her grandchildren: Rick Peterman, Darci Edwards, Krisie Wilkins, Cody and Brady. Then there are also her 18 precious great-grand babies; some are grown and many still making their way to adulthood.
Mama’s priorities went like this: Jesus first and then her family. She loved being a nurse but compared to caring for her family there was nothing better.
Mom knew how to make everything special from the breakfast in the morning to tucking into bed at night. Dad and mom made our house special and safe and the love was evident in that house whether on the ranch outside of Torrington, Wyoming or at the houses Mama and Daddy lived at in Casper, Wyoming.
We always felt welcome anytime and every time.
I remember Mom told me that at the beginning of their marriage, before Jens and I came along, she said dad and she made a pact that they would tell their children that they loved them everyday. There were also rules put down about language that would not be allowed in their house:
1) Say I love you may times a day
2) No one was to put anyone down or make fun that causes pain
3)No cussing
4)No one says “shut up,” but be quiet or hush
Mom kept her house at peace; there was no gossiping and talking behind someone back.
Mama would always feed and overfeed any person or the family that came into our home from meals and she always kept pastries and cookies on hand just in case someone may drop in.
When I got home from a hard day at school, our home was a safe refuge with Christian music playing most of times.
Mom taught me how to cook and to keep a clean house. She expected us to help and learn.
Mom and dad taught Jens and I the bible anyway they could, through devotions at the breakfast table before school or work where we learned to pray, to going to church regularly and AWANA clubs to challenge us to memorize the scriptures, to living out the bible in real life.
Mama and Daddy believed the proverb in the bible “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Then as Jens and I got older and our rebel hearts took us toward some very bad decisions. That is when Mom and Dad were praying and speaking god’s word and promises over us.
We are living and walking with Jesus today because Mom was praying and praying and praying and through those prayers Jesus moved and bought the prodigals back.
There are no words to express the love and fervent prayers of our mom showed everyday of our lives for us, even at the distance, since I live in Texas.
We talked everyday and giggled. She would listen to my concerns and stresses and we would pray together.
I loved to talk to Mom about bible prophecy and what we were seeing through the passing years and so looking for towards Jesus coming back.
She loved talk about her grandkids and great-grandkids and she would pray for them all by name. Always praying that they all would seek and find Jesus and his grace and that they would want Jesus as their lord and savior. This was so important to her!
Our mama and your grandma wanted to leave one legacy….Jesus
She wanted us all to know the lord Jesus that cannot quit and cannot fail. His grace given to us at the cross by shredding his precious blood for our sins and the freedom we can have when we accept that free gift can be given to save us to keep us from eternal hell and instead get us home to eternal love and freedom that she is now experiencing in the arms and presence of the lord Jesus
LOOK!! “She is seeing Jesus!” And She wants to all of you there also….
I love you Mama….see you soon
MARANATHA!!!
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Newcomer Casper Chapel.
Ray Celestino Herrera: 1945 – 2023
Ray Celestino Herrera, 77, of Rolling Hills, Wyoming passed away on October 22, 2023 in Douglas, Wyoming.
Ray was born in Hobbs, New Mexico to Zacharias & Naoma Herrera on November 13, 1945. He went to Ysleta High School in El Paso, Texas and graduated in 1964. He was drafted into the US Army Corp in 1965 and was stationed in Germany & England as an Image Interpreter. Ray earned a Marksman (Rifle) Badge, a National Defense Service Medal, & a Good Conduct Medal. He served until 1967 when he was honorably discharged. Upon returning to civilian life, he went on to earn his Journeyman Electrician’s license and worked as a union electrician across the nation (between hunting seasons). Big game hunting was his passion and he acquired numerous impressive trophies, including three bighorn sheep. Ray also enjoyed “Jeeping” with friends, family, & chosen family.
Ray is survived by his favorite son, Justin; and favorite daughter, Waltanya; his two grandchildren, Chloe and Genevieve; his ex-wife Marilyn; his brother, Zachary; his sister, Debbie; his step brother (and hunting partner) Rick Bretton; and his chosen family: Eli, Owen, & Brody Evans; Angela Evans; Linda Evans; Eliott Kenfield; Kelly, Sandy, & Vince Glynn; Joe & Leesa Huffaker. He is preceded in death by his parents as well as his sisters, Ginger; Madean; Lucille; his brother, Tommy; and his chosen family: Sam Evans.
There will be a time of visitation at Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Ave, Casper, Wyoming on Sunday, October 29 from 5pm to 7pm. A service of Military Honors will be held at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery on Monday October 30, 2023 at 10am.
Martha “Marti” Wahl Nelson: 1932 – 2023
Martha (Marti) Wahl Nelson passed away October 24, with all her family by her side.
Marti was born in Crowley, Colorado on March 24, 1932, to Alynn and Anna Watt. The family moved to Casper when she was very young.
She attended St. Anthony’s School and graduated from Natrona County High School. She received a scholarship to the Juilliard until she met and married Harold (Harry) Wahl.
Marti worked for Standard Refinery and later became a bartender in many places in Casper. She was one of the first mothers to hand out polio sugar cubes to kids.
She loved to garden, shop, embroider, and do adult coloring books. She enjoyed winters in Arizona where she started the Red Hat Society. Her home in Arizona faced the Superstition Mountains.
Marti and Harry had five children. After Harry passed away, she married Dean Nelson. They lived in Sheridan and traveled all over. After Dean passed away, she moved back to Casper.
Marti had a beautiful singing voice and sang for weddings, church, in well known bands, and in karaoke.
Marti is survived by her five children: Harold (Hurk) Wahl (Cheryl), Debbie Clark (Bruce), Rhonda Drury, Greg Wahl, and Dan Wahl. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Harry; husband Dean; her granddaughter Kindle; grandson Joey; and her brother Bob.
Her favorite saying – “It’s good to be Queen.”
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023 starting at 2:00pm at Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home Reception Center.
William “Bill” Benedict Reidy:
William (Bill) Benedict Reidy, age 83, a prior Shelbyville resident and business owner of Western Auto and Redoit Sports before ultimately retiring near family in Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on Sunday October 22, 2023.
Bill was born and raised in Oil City, Pennsylvania; son to William Sr. and Bernadine Reidy and the eldest of three children: brother to Darlene Wiltanger (deceased)and brother Tom Reidy (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
Bill joined the navy after high school, serving on a destroyer off the coast of Japan. Upon returning to Oil City in 1962, he joined Sears & Roebuck in credit collections and subsequently met the love of his life, Norma Straub of Rouseville and they were married October 19, 1963. Happily married for 60 years!
Bill is survived by his wife and three children: Suzanne Griffith (John), William B Reidy 3rd (Paula), Elizabeth Salazar (Al); along with 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (along with one due in March)
Bill had a full career with Sears as a credit manager, being promoted frequently and moving numerous times throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and finally to Louisville, Kentucky, where he took an early retirement and purchased the Western Auto Store and lawn and garden equipment repair shop in Shelbyville. He and Norma managed that store for years then decided to open RedoIt Sport, a golf/sports consignment store along with Sylvia’s Closet, a children consignment store on Main Street. As active members in the community along within Church of the Annunciation, Bill ran the annual fund raisers and was willing to help out anyone in need.
He enjoyed golf, fishing with the grandkids and weekly poker games along with creating fundraising solutions for the church.
A private memorial /celebration of life will be held for immediate family and close friends in Sarasota on Sunday, Nov. 5.
In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations to the American Lung Association in Bill’s honor: https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2?df_id=31272&mfc_pref=T&31272.donation=form1
Bruce John Snell: 1938 – 2023
Bruce John Snell was welcomed into this world by Violet and Barney Snell on April 21, 1938 in Hanna, Wyoming, before being brought home to Medicine Bow, Wyoming.
He often thought of himself as a simple country boy. His first “job” was to bring in coal and wood for the stoves at home before moving on to driving a tractor to rake hay at the Two Bar Ranch as a teen. Eventually, he was hired with The White Ditching Company where he worked for 10 ½ years before he started with the Texaco Refinery in Casper. That job led to his time in Washington at the Anacortes Texaco Refinery. He worked there until he retired in 1994 and returned to Casper, Wyoming.
He attended grade school in Medicine Bow and one room school houses in the Bates Hole area.His family moved to Casper when he was starting 9th grade at Natrona County High School, and he graduated from there in 1956.
He and Sharon met on a blind date in the 50’s; at twenty-two, he moved out from his dad and mom’s to move in with and marry Sharon. He had to sell his motorcycle to pay for the wedding rings. They wedded on May 7, 1960 and celebrated 63 years of marriage.
During his life, he cultivated a love of tractors, lemon pies, church, and family. He spent much of his free time in retirement helping others; he loved volunteering on the church grounds, spending time with his grandchildren, and continuing with his hobbies: hunting, fishing, and camping as well as working and tinkering on his many projects. Some of his fondest memories came from his time camping; especially during elk season, on the Shirley Mountains.
If you knew Bruce, you knew food was a source of joy as it often meant friends and family were coming together for a celebration. To see Bruce happy was to see him next to a campfire with a sandwich or burger in one hand, a cold beer in the other, a grin from ear to ear on his face, and a crinkle in his eyes. He greatly enjoyed being on his property on Shirley Mountain and at Wolf Creek; especially when friends and family were close by.
In his words, “Some of the happiest times in my life were when I married Sharon, then each time one of our kids came to be, then when each one of our grandchildren came to be, [and] now we have our great grandchildren coming to be. We have a wonderful family. Sharon and I are very proud of them all.”
Bruce was greeted warmly by his parents, Violet and Barney; and siblings: Milton (Billie), Ernest (Marguerite), Darlene, and Elaine on the afternoon of October 21, 2023 in that happy hunting ground. He is survived by his brothers Roger and Charlie; his wife Sharon; their children: Debbie, John (Patty), and Matt; as well as his little sugars Jessica (Joe), Lauren (Allen), and Meghan (Cormick); in addition to his grandson Freddie (Jessica). He also has four great-grandchildren: Viona, Daphne, Evie, and, recently joining us, Baby Bruce (Freddy the sixth).
Services will be held at Our Lady of Fatima on Thursday, November 2, at 11:00 a.m. (1401 CY Ave). After the service we will be going to Memorial Gardens, and then returning to Lady of Fatima for lunch. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 1, at Bustards from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
We want to say thank you for all of the wonderful care that Bruce received from the staff at Wyoming Medical Center and Central Wyoming Hospice. He was always in the best of hands, and we greatly appreciated it. Also, thank you to Father Vaske for his many visits and comforting words. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Bruce, please consider Central Wyoming Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Roberta Ann Tasler: 1954 – 2023
Roberta Ann Tasler (Bertie) 69, of Casper passed away on October 25, 2023. Bertie was born in Creighton, Nebraska on January 17,1954 to Robert and Eva (Meyer) Ruzicka.
Bertie graduated from St.Mary’s High School in 1972. On June 9, 1973 Bertie married Wayne Thomas Tasler. They honeymooned in the Casper area. Wayne had an uncle that lived in Casper. Wayne’s uncle found him a job there and Bertie and Wayne decided to make Casper their home. To this union, two sons were born: Robert Dewayne Tasler, 1976 and Ryan William Tasler, 1977.
In 1983, Bertie and Wayne divorced. In 1984, Bertie met her life partner Brendan Coleman. Bertie and Brendan shared a life together of 30 years before Brendan’s passing in 2014. In this time they enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and many trips to Nebraska (fishing Spencer Dam) riding four wheelers and attending the boys’ events. Bertie was a wonderful cook which led to many jobs in the food industry. Some of which are the Goose Egg for 12 years, Josh’s pub for 7 years and Albertsons for 20 years. If you walked away from a meal Bertie cooked hungry, it was your own fault.
She was known for quilting, planting flowers and spending time with family and friends. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren: Kynzie, Kyler, Kolton, Mallory and Slater. In the last couple of years she has gained Kyler’s fiancé Maddy and their two girls Daisy Lynn and Brookes.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons Robby, his wife Robbin, their children Kynzie, Kolton, Kyler and his fiancé Maddy, and their two girls: Daisy Lynn and Brookes; Ryan and his kids, Mallory and Slater; brothers, Loren (Sharon) Ruzicka of Texas, Roger (Terri) Ruzicka of Nebraska, Kyle Ruzicka of Nebraska, Neil (Stephanie) of Idaho; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bertie is preceded in death by her parents Robert in 2008 and Eva in 2012; love of her life Brendan in 2014.
A celebration of life for Bertie will be announced in the coming weeks in Casper and another one in Nebraska at a later date. Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation.
Cards can be sent to:
Robby and Ryan Tasler
4380 Chalmers Street
Casper, WY 82604
