Bertel Owen Budd: 1931 – 2023
Bertel Owen (Bert) Budd; esteemed teacher, coach, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, man of God, and punster, with a quirky sense of humor, departed his earthly body on May 1, 2023, at the grand age of 92, from Aspen Wind Memory Care Facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Bert was born in Webster, Wisconsin on January 6, 1931, to Charles Henry Budd, Jr. and Floy Bertelson Budd. He grew up and graduated high school in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, then went on to become an outstanding track athlete at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bert, then dubbed in the press as “Bustling Bert Budd”, set the record for the two mile, which is a record that stands to this day. Bert loved the solitude of running and was a deep thinker. He was also an aspiring Olympic athlete until a blood donation sapped his energy and took him out of contention.
While in college, Bert met the love of his life, Janice Helen Brinkman, at a young adults function at Olivet Congregational Church. They were married in 1952.
Due to his love of country, after college, Bert enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Japan at the end of the Korean Conflict. While in the Army, he continued his running career with an eye on the Olympics once again. That dream ended when he was forced to choose between the race or leaving behind his very pregnant wife.
He chose family.
Bert began his teaching career in Greybull, Wyoming in 1955, then moved to Worland where he taught elementary physical education. In 1964 Bert’s colleague and mentor, Okie Blanchard, offered him an opportunity to come teach physical education in Cheyenne, where he remained until he retired in 1996. Highlights of his teaching career include hosting Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Chairman of the President’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, at his school, Pioneer Park Elementary. Bert was also selected to be a torch bearer when the Olympic Torch passed through Cheyenne before he retired in May 1996.
Bert was highly involved in Red Cross as a Water Safety Instructor and coaching AAU Swimming, Boy Scouts, Gideon’s International, WAHPERD, Cheyenne Genealogical and Historical Society and the American Heart Association, where he was instrumental in organizing and participating in Jump Rope For Heart at all of his schools.
Bert was well known for his signature mutton chop sideburns, his love of puns, managing the Buffalo Ridge Pool in the summers, square dancing, and playing Continental Rummy with family every Sunday. Bert claimed millionaire status because of the cost of raising his six daughters and one son. He was also highly involved in every aspect of his church. Bert’s life verse was Luke 2:52: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” This verse was the cause of his curiosity, his lifelong love for learning, his love for play and the education of movement, and his love for everything God could teach him through his Word. It is most likely he is now keeping everyone in heaven physically fit (Picture angels doing jumping jacks.)
Bert was preceded in death by his father Charles; mother Floy; brothers Charles Henry Budd III, Galen, Harold and Ronald; wife Janice; stillborn son Glen Allen, sons-in-law Gregg Reisner and Ron Rimby and beloved companion Caryl Marion, He is survived by: sister Sharon Alton (Richard); daughters Becky Casey (Marlin), Kim Reisner, Pam Goodwin (James), Vicky Kmetz (Mike), Dawn Rimby, Kristi Beyer (Thomas) and son Brian Budd (Penny Jo), along with 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bert’s Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at CrossBridge Alliance Church, 3501 Forest Drive across from Okie Blanchard Field, where Bert’s voice echoed throughout the stadium and surrounding neighborhoods, as the announcer and organizer of the all city elementary school track meets. Bert’s desire is to have a party for him, so bring your best funny stories and dress comfortably as there may be some physical activities to participate in.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideon’s International or a memorial fund, which will provide workout equipment along the Cheyenne Greenway.
Lila Ridley Crump: 1942 – 2022
On November 8, 2022, the world lost one of the most amazing people that ever graced this earth, Lila Crump. After suffering a terrible stroke on 10/23/22, she lost a short, but hard-fought battle. The great doctors, nurses, therapists, and all the staff at Wyoming Medical Center did all they could, but there was just no more that they could do. She was able to pass peacefully at the truly amazing Central Wyoming Hospice with her family by her side the entire way.
She was born August 2, 1942 in Buffalo, Wyoming to Jesse and Louise Ridley. The first part of her life was spent on a ranch northwest of there, where she attended a one room schoolhouse. Later, she would move into town to attend Buffalo High School. After that, she attended Casper College. She later moved to Laramie where she worked at the University of Wyoming Archives. While there, she met her husband James Crump. After having their first child, Jenifer, in Laramie, they moved to Casper.
In Casper, she had three more children, all sons: Alex, Evan, and Cabot. She was deeply involved in the education of all her children, always giving them extra help to when needed to ensure they would be successful. She believed in the power of voting and was an election judge for over 30 years. In the early 2000s she began taking ceramics classes at Casper College and fell in love with creating works of art with her hands. She continued creating pottery the rest of her life, along with writing poetry. She loved to share these passions with her grandchildren.
Lila’s grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved nothing more than to spend time with them. Among the activities they did together were trying new restaurants, baking, painting, and hiking. Even though they often tired her out, they were a source of great joy in her life. She supported them and her children in all of their interests and pursuits.
Lila always encouraged and loved all her kids and wanted the best for them. She always taught by example; to love everyone, appreciate all the beauty of the world around us, and to help those in need whenever you could. We will miss her every day now, but we are forever blessed to have had the time with her that we did. We want to thank everybody that reached out with a kind word, a prayer, gave us a shoulder to cry on, or brought a meal. She truly was an amazing mother, friend, and human, and we will all miss her greatly.
Lila is survived by her husband James; daughter Jenifer (Mark); sons, Alex, Evan (Hannah), and Cabot; granddaughters, Meghan (Jeremiah), Ava, and Madelyn; and great-grandchildren, James, Miah, and Malia.
A celebration of life will be held at Liberty Baptist Church in Casper on Saturday, May 27 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Central Wyoming Hospice.
David Allen Flora: 1950 – 2023
David Allen Flora passed away suddenly on April 30, 2023 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born September 12, 1950 in Denver, Colorado to D Allen Flora and Pauline Flora (Mitchell).
He was a great brother to Christine, James and Dianne.
He then became an outstanding husband to Colleen Carlson.
Not too long after that, he became an awesome father to Erin, Rebecca and Jared.
He became a father-in-law to Cory Schmitz and Mathew Fohner.
Then, to his delight he was a grandfather to Carter and Lucy Schmitz and Kayleigh and Raigan Fohner.
He was a wilderness explorer. There were many more adventures he wanted to go on. There were mountains he had not climbed and places he wanted to hike.
He was loved and will be missed.
Desiree Johnson: 1970 – 2023
Desiree “Desie” Johnson, 52, of Cheyenne, passed too soon surrounded by some of those who loved her.
She was born on August 4, 1970, in Bellflower, California. Desie was a part of every community she lived in. While in Burns, she volunteered at the elementary school, helping teachers and loving the children. She went to ball games at the high school, being an avid cheerleader.
In Cheyenne, she volunteered at the Cheyenne Botanical Gardens. She held several jobs in both communities. Desie was always cheerful with her big, welcoming smile. She knew no strangers. Desie made such a big impact in everyone’s lives. She would share about Jesus wherever she went, saying ‘God loves you’. She was a part of the Golden Prairie Church family where she was loved and who she loved in return.
Desie was a part of so many families that they are too numerous to list. She will be sorely missed by all, but we know she is now in heaven dancing with Jesus and her dad. She was preceded in death by her brothers David Andrews, Leon Andrews, Jordan Hunter; and father, Leon Andrews.
She is survived by her mother Joan Andrew; brother John (Lila) Andrews; brother Michael Venners; sister Samantha (Marcus) Bryson; sister-in-law Deana Andrews; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Desie’s celebration of life will be at Golden Prairie Baptist Church on Saturday, May 13th @ 1:00 pm, address 4992 Co rd 226, Burns, WY 82053.
Please wear bright colors in honor of Desie (no black).
Rickey Alice Oberberg: 1960 – 2023
Rickey Overberg, a beloved retired certified nursing assistant, passed away on Friday, April 28th, 2023 at the age of 62. Rickey was born to Alfred and Alice Overberg in Sisseton, South Dakota on May 18, 1960.
During her career as a CNA, Rickey garnered admiration from her peers and devotion from her patients. Her life was dedicated to helping others in need. She was a ray of sunshine who had a true passion for life.
Rickey’s love for her family and animals knew no bounds. She leaves behind a treasured legacy that includes her daughter Holly (Bryan) Wright; son Cody (Hannah Wilhelm) Overberg; daughter Vera Martinez; grandchildren Shelbylynn and Jesse Wright; sisters Elaine (Barry) Totman, Arlene Maki, and Charlotte Ellis (David), as well as brother Clifford (Nona) Overberg.
Services for Rickey will be held on Friday, May 5th, 2023 at Lakeview Memorial Chapel located at 2222 Russell Ave Cheyenne, WY at 3 p.m., with the internment following at Mountain View Memorial Park.
Schrader, Aragon, and Jacoby Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Rickey will always be remembered for her unwavering love and kindness toward everyone she knew. May she rest in eternal peace knowing that she touched the lives of many with her warm spirit and compassionate heart.
Dorothy K. Rhoades: 1936 – 2023
Dorothy K. Rhoades died at Washakie Medical Center in Worland, Wyoming on Friday, April 28th due to complications of a stroke. She was born on January 13, 1936 to John and Mildred Crawmer in the Hotchkiss/Paonia area of Colorado.
Dorothy married Clifford Rhoades in February of 1956. They later divorced. Three children were born of this union: Rebekah Kelly of Worland, Wyoming and James Rhoades of Parker, Colorado. An infant daughter died at birth.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Joyce and Billie.
She is survived by her children, Rebekah and James; sister, Orene and numerous grandchildren and two great grandchildren throughout Wyoming and Colorado.
Services will be held Friday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens in the Rugged Cross Chapel.
Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel is in charge of services. Donations may be made in her name to your local libraries.
To order flowers, please visit www.theprairierose.net.
