Susan Kay Harris (Gibbard): 1961 – 2023
Susan Kay Harris (Gibbard), 61, passed away in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on October 27, 2023, after a hard-fought battle against cancer.
Susan was born on November 30, 1961, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She attended St. Mary’s School and was involved in endless clubs and sports. She was creative, funny, athletic, and hard-working.
Susan is survived by her husband; father; brothers; daughters (and their spouses); grandchildren; and her beloved puppies. She was preceded in death by her mother and grandparents.
Susan requested a small graveside service with her closest friends and family. If you would like to make a donation, please feel free to do so at the Oncology Department at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. They were so good to her.
Vicki L. Huggans: 1946 – 2023
Vicki Lynn Huggans gained her angel wings on Friday, October 27, 2023.
Vicki was born on September 2, 1946, in Westminster, Colorado to Charles and Ruth Kaygankh. Vicki grew up and attended school in Westminster, Colorado. In 1964, Vicki met the love of her life, Billy Huggans, at a school dance in Windsor, Colorado. They married a few months later and moved to Lodi, California. Later, in 1966 they moved to Greeley, Colorado. Finally, in 1995 they moved to Edgerton, Wyoming where Vicki resided until her passing.
Vicki loved the casinos, Red Lobster and playing cards with her kids. Vicki spent a lot her time with her two grandchildren, Tatum Huggans and Treyson Huggans. They were everything to her, and they both say she was the best grandma ever.
Vicki is survived by sons: Dean Huggans, Rick Huggans, Charlie Huggans; and also by Billy Huggans’s daughter Susan Tucker and special friend Shawnalou Minney.
Vicki will be greatly missed.
A private family service will be held at a later time.
Forrest J. Leff: 1929 – 2023
Forrest was born on April 30, 1929 to Elizabeth Broaddus and William Leff in Lead, South Dakota. He attended the Lead Catholic Grade School K-8 in 1944 and graduated from Lead High School in 1948.
As a young man, Forrest worked at the Homestake Mining Company in his hometown of
Lead, South Dakota in many departments including underground mining, foundry, hoist room, and blacksmith shop.
Forrest joined the National Guard in Lead in 1949. He spent nine months in Fort Bragg, North Carolina on active duty. He then left for Heidelberg, Germany in 1950 where he was stationed at an occupation troop for 1 year.After his Army tour of duty, Forrest graduated from Black Hills Collage in 1955 with a BS degree in music. He then taught school in Glacier, Montana, Custer, South Dakota, and Lingle, Wyoming. He met his future wife, Joan Morsch, in Lingle.
After their marriage in Lead, South Dakota, Forrest and Joan moved to Casper in 1959 where both were employed at School District Number 2.
Forrest’s love was music. He started clarinet lessons in 5th grade. He fondly remembers the first song he learned being, “The Marines Hymn”, because he liked the tune. He later played in the lead in high school band and also sang in the choirs. In the summer, he played with the Homestake Mining Company band at rodeos and the annual Days of 76 parade in Deadwood, South Dakota. While in college at Black Hills University, he taught music at the Lead High School. He concluded his teaching career at Paradise Valley Elementary School in Casper, Wyoming.
Forrest played with the Casper City Band for 50 years. He also sang at Saint Anthony’s choir for 30 years and later was active at Fatima Catholic Choir.
Forrest was a member of the National Guard honor team and played “Taps” at funerals. He was particularly proud of his participation in Veterans Day activities with the music group “The Golden Oldies” and playing “Taps” at the Veterans cemetery.
Forrest was a past commander of American Legion as well as lifetime member of the VFW and the Elks Club.
Forrest is preceded in death by his wife, Joan; his parents; brothers Lee Leff of Lead, South Dakota, Dale Leff of Detroit, Michigan; and sister Bonny Potratz of Lead, South Dakota. He is survived by his sister Margie Lee of Lead, South Dakota; sons Francis of Casper; Daniel of Elko, Nevada, and Forrest Jr. of Casper; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Life Care of Casper, as well as Central Wyoming Hospice for their care during Forrest’s last days. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Casper Humane Society or Central Wyoming Hospice.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming.
Kimberly Kitamu Peterson: 1972 – 2023
Kimberly K Peterson sunrise on May 26,1972, sunset October 25,2023 at 3:13 a.m.
She was born in Omaha Nebraska to Easther Pearl (mother) and Micheal
Peterson (father), and Bennie Tanksley (stepfather), whom preceded her in death.
She is survived by one daughter, Selena Peterson; one brother Anthony (SonJa) Marion and their daughter Tamerea; two sisters, Tracey Alick and Daysha Tanksley; and a host of
nieces and nephews.
She lived a long hard, crazily beautiful life surrounded by love and affection. She always made a lasting impression on people’s lives and hearts. She fought hard and long but is now able to rest and be forever beautiful once again.
You will truly be missed Kimberly rest easy.
Kenneth Wayne Raymond: 1922 – 2023
Longtime Carbon County rancher Kenneth Wayne Raymond passed away at home on October 25, 2023 at the age of 100 years.
He began his life December 11, 1922 on a farm in Larimer County Colorado with his parents, Burdette and Mabel Raymond, and brother Roy. He graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1941 and majored in Animal Husbandry at Colorado State University.
They continued to farm in Colorado until they purchased the UT Ranch, now known as Ferris Mountain Ranch, in the summer of 1949. The ranch, and Ken in particular, have won several awards over the years. In 1983 it was Rancher of the Year for Carbon County. Ken was given the Bureau of Land Management Stewardship Award in 1998 and Landowner of the Year in 2000. In September of 2000, Wyoming Wildlife Magazine wrote an article recognizing his outstanding contributions to wildlife management. He helped restore deer, sage grouse, ducks and geese back to Ferris Mountain. He also worked with Wyoming Game and Fish to establish a walk-in area for hunters. In 2004 he won the Carbon County Pioneer Top Hand Award. In 2005 he was asked by then Governor Dave Freudenthal to be on his committee to represent agriculture landowners on the Hunting Segment of Tourism Industry Task Force. In 2007 he was honored as Wyoming’s Outstanding Older Worker and received a free trip to Washington DC.
Ken was president of the Carbon County Historical Society for 12 years and when Wyoming turned 100 years old he produced a video tape of the county’s history which won the highest award presented.
Ken was deeply involved in 4-H for over 20 years and was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. He was also a lifetime member of Rawlins Elks Lodge #609.
Horseshoe pitching became his passion in the early 1970’s and he was very good at it. He was the Wyoming State Champion 14 times and went to 3 World Horseshoe Tournaments where he placed 11th, 10th and 2nd in his class. He is listed in the Wyoming Horseshoe Pitchers’ Hall of Fame in several categories. He was also a competitive bowler for over 30 years.
Survivors include his son Gary Raymond (Judy); his daughters Donna Overeem and Sandy Wilson (Kurt); his grandchildren: Kerrie Langmade, Kim Morrison, Kellie Overeem, Chris Dixon, Matt Wilson, Loni Wilson, Mabel Raymond and Kenny Raymond; and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his adored wife Ruth of 52 years; daughter Cheryl Dixon; son-in-law Earl Dixon; son-in-law Marty Overeem; brother Roy Raymond and his wife Mary; and his parents.
Please join us as we celebrate his life Saturday, November 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rawlins Elks Lodge #609, 405 W. Buffalo Street in Rawlins, Wyoming.
In lieu of flowers we would appreciate donations to the Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund and mailed to P. O. Box 609 Rawlins, WY 82301.
Orval P. Schwinler: 1930 – 2023
Orval P. Schwinler, 93, passed away on October 23, in Casper, Wyoming.
Orval was born in Winner, South Dakota, to Phillip and Ines Schwinler on March 25, 1930. He attended Winner High School and graduated in 1949.
After high school, Orval married Nadine Kelley and were married for 70 years before Nadine’s passing in 2020. Throughout his life, Orval held numerous careers including farmer, truck driver and service station maintenance man. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling.
Orval is survived by his daughter, Tamara (Ed) Opella; grandchildren: Kirk (Anna) Opella and Brandi (Shawn) Reinhart; great grandchildren: Gavin Bishop and Adley Reinhart.
