LaVerne Jannette Bennett: 1934 – 2023
LaVerne Jannette Bennett passed away November 10, in Cheyenne Wyoming at the age of 89, surrounded by her sons and other family members.
LaVerne was born October 29, 1934 in Sundance, Wyoming, and was a Sundance High S chool graduate.
Laverne was preceded in death by her husband, Orvin of 68 years; her parents, Charlie and Kate Donaldson of Sundance Wyoming; and her brother, Raymond.
Laverne worked for many years in the Converse County Sheriff’s office in Douglas Wyoming before moving to Story, Wyoming. Later, Orvin and Laverne lived at Primrose retirement center in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the past 7 years. They were one of the first families to move in after it opened.
Laverne’s ashes will be scattered on the property of the family cabin in Story, Wyoming, where her husband’s ashes were scattered earlier this year.
LaVerne is survived by her three sons: Albert and his wife, Ella; Vernon, and Mark and his wife, Billie Jo; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
David L. Franck Sr.: 1929 – 2023
David L Franck, Sr., died on November 9, 2023, at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. David was 93 years old.
He was born December 22, 1929, in Menominee, Michigan. He married Helen M. Trebelcock on December 30, 1951, in the Champagne Chapel at F.E. Warren AFB. David and Helen were married 71 years before her death on June 16, 2023.
David joined the Air Force in 1948. His military service took him to many countries such as England, Germany, Libya, Aviano, Italy, Greenland, and Saudi Arabia, just to name a few. He enjoyed the military life. In 1969, after 21 years, he retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant.
He then worked at Wyoming Blue Cross Blue Shield for 19 years and Rocky Mountain Bank for two years. He then finally got to enjoy REAL retirement!
David loved dancing with his wife, his dog Toby, fishing, bowling, playing card games, and entertaining his grandchildren.
David was preceded in death by his wife, Helen M. Franck; and one son, Michael L. Franck.
David is survived by one son, David L. (Debra) Franck, Jr.; one daughter, Sharon K. (Franck) (Bob) Shelton; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Service will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. Burial and Military Honors take place at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens following the service.
In lieu of flowers you may send a donation in David’s name to: Cheyenne VA Medical Center, Chapel Services Fund, 2360 E. Pershing Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82001.
Shirley L. Hardsocg: 1942 – 2023
Shirley L. (Kading) Hardsocg, 81, a wonderful wife, loving mother of two, grandmother, and caring friend to countless Wyomingites, died peacefully on November 15, 2023. Surrounded by friends and family, Shirley departed this world, but her boundless spirit and enduring warmth remain with her family, friends, and those she tirelessly comforted and cared for throughout her life.
Shirley was born a farm girl in Casey, Iowa on April 21, 1942, to Albert and Naomi Kading. The middle child of three who survived childhood, she attended school in tiny Casey, Iowa, and eventually took work as a Braniff Airlines Stewardess after high school. Flying out of Dallas, she was one of many spectators who greeted John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline after they landed in Dallas on that fateful November day in 1963.
Shirley met Martin L. Hardsocg at a dance in Des Moines in 1960, and they married on August 23, 1964. Shirley and Martin’s adventures took them many places through Martin’s 20-plus years of Air Force service, including tours in Berlin, Taiwan, Maine, Nebraska, and Cheyenne, where they settled in the mid 1970’s. Shirley had two devoted sons, Marty and Randy Hardsocg, who never strayed far from Shirley’s comforting and loving side.
Shirley worked as a teller with American National Bank, as a secretary with the Wyoming Department of State Lands, and retired after 23 years as a secretary with the Wyoming Department of Education. Shirley, always seeking to be with people, became a Mary Kay Consultant, where she gave away far more makeup than she ever sold. It mattered not to her, as she lived to brighten and help friends, and strangers alike.
Shirley was very active in St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, serving in numerous church organizations. She was a seamstress and loved old clothes, antiques, and especially women’s hats. Shirley belonged to the Red Hat Society, always donning an elegant hat of some sort. Helping others came as naturally to her as breathing, and she volunteered to visit and serve shut-ins, the sick, and the elderly, either praying with, or visiting, them throughout her life.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Martin; her sons, Marty (Shellie) Hardsocg and Randy Hardsocg of Cheyenne; her sister, Gloria Strandquist of Minneapolis; and three grandchildren: Jordan (Cameron) Olson, Seth Hardsocg and Kelsey Hardsocg.
She was predeceased by her parents; and younger brother, Marvin.
A service to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held on November 28, 2023, at St. Christopher’s Church in Cheyenne, at 10:00 a.m., with a viewing before. Those wishing to honor Shirley may contribute to St. Christopher’s Church in care of St. Elizabeth’s Guild.
Jean Mickey: 1935 – 2023
Jean Mickey, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, died Nov. 10, 2023. She was 87.
Born Dorothy Jean Tritt, she was called ‘Jeanie’ from the time of her birth, and later, Jean.
Jean was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 16, 1935, to S. James and Evelyn (DeWitt) Tritt. She graduated from Bedford High School in 1953, and worked as a dental assistant until her marriage in 1958 to Mearle G. Mickey, also of Bedford. Her husband was in the Air Force, and they lived in several places before moving to Cheyenne in 1973.
Jean worked for more than 20 years for the Bureau of Land Management, before retiring in 1995.
Jean’s most beloved role was as a grandmother of three and great-grandmother of two. Nothing brought her more joy than her family, and she relished every opportunity to spend time with them.
Jean is survived by her children: daughter, Betty Grace Mickey; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Laura Mickey; grandchildren: Christopher Mickey (Jolie Sawyer); Michelle Mickey (Kenny); and Jennifer Mickey; and great-grandchildren: RaeLynn and Kingston, all of Cheyenne. She is also survived by her sister, Grace (Tritt) James of Everett, Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, S. James and Evelyn Tritt; sister, Betty Tritt Smeltz; brother, James Tritt; and brothers-in-law, Donald “Jack” Smeltz and Jacques James.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter or Toys for Tots.
No services are currently planned.
Cheryl Ann Miller: 1938 – 2023
Cheryl Ann Miller, 65, of Cheyenne, died on November 9, 2023 in Cheyenne.
She was born on August 5, 1938 in Kirksville, Missouri.
Cheryl was a retired state employee, worked at Menards, as well as the DMV. Her hobbies included traveling, gambling, playing bunco, archeology, seeing grandkids, and Christmas time.
She is survived by her mother, Letitia Miller; her daughters, Stacy Gibbs and April Haston; grandchildren: Casey, Bradley, Kayden, Karson, London, and Mackenzie; and her brothers and sisters, Sheila, Barb, Denise, and Randy; and half-sisters, Anna and Mary.
Gregory (Dean) O’Dell: 1954 – 2023
Dean, 69, of Cheyenne Wyoming passed away at home surrounded by his family. Dean enjoyed retirement, fishing, camping and hanging out with his grandkids.
For those who were lucky enough to know him, he had an amazing sense of humor. You couldn’t be around him without smiling and laughing. He was kind and a big kid at heart.
He was so loved and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his beautiful wife Karen of 41 years; and his two daughters Dana and Audra; his grandkids: Trenton, Deveraux, Raelynn, Savina, Samora and Saraya; his brother Randy, sisters Christy, Gerrie, Dawn Dee and plenty of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Beth and Arthur Koon; his brothers: Jimmy, Tim, and Mike; and his sisters: Lisa, Tina and Amber.
He was a beautiful soul who left this earth too early.
Yvonne Rexius: 1938 – 2023
Yvonne Marie Rexius passed at home on November 1, 2023 at the age of 85. Yvonne was born April 8, 1938 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Robert and Felice McCloud. She was the loving mother of three children: Tony Rust (Janet), Kelly Mahon (Thierry) and Tracy Giesenhagen (Chuck). Yvonne is the grandmother to seven grandchildren: Glenn and Darcy Rust; Phillip, Brian and Erick Graham; Dustin Giesenhagen and Kelsey Lohof; great-grandmother to eight great-grandchildren.
Yvonne dedicated 37 years to the children of Douglas Elementary school as the school secretary and spent uncountable hours with the athletic department keeping score at many volleyball, basketball, track and swim meets. Always a supporter of the Douglas Bearcats.
Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents; spouse, Thomas Rexius; and brother Ralph McCloud.
Yvonne was a ray of sunshine that will surely be missed.
Jessie Ruybal: 1953 – 2023
Jessie Ruybal, a heartwarming and beautiful soul went to be with our lord and savior on November 10, 2023. She brought warmth and love to everyone she encountered throughout her life. Born on July 24, 1953, Jessie’s journey on this earth was filled with compassion and a profound impact on those around her. One of Jessie’s greatest qualities was her dedication to ensuring the happiness of her loved ones. She cherished spending time with family and made it her mission to create a joyful atmosphere for all. Her caring nature truly exemplified the beauty of love, as she poured her heart and soul into every interaction.
A bright and energetic individual, Jessie had a kind and welcoming demeanor that made others feel at ease in her presence. She possessed a tender touch that seemed to come straight from the heavens above. It was as if she were an angel walking among us, spreading warmth and comfort wherever she went in addition to being a loving presence in the lives of her family and friends.
Jessie had several hobbies and interests that brought her joy. She found delight in collecting rocks, books, and spent countless hours immersing herself in the teachings of the Bible. These activities allowed her to find solace and inspiration in the world around her. One of Jessie’s proudest accomplishments was her dedication to arts and crafts. She would often invest her time creating beautiful pieces that she would showcase at craft shows. Jessie’s love for goodwill epitomized her giving nature, always finding joy in donating items that would be cherished by those who needed them most. Jessie’s passing leaves behind a legacy of love and unity within her family circle.
Shé is survived by Gary S, Ruybal, her husband of 37 years; her beloved son, Jonathan Ruybal. Bernadette Marquardt, Christina L, Lee R, and Antionette Hallam were blessed to have Jessie as their mother. Frances Higine and Leo ljine, Jessie’s sisters, are left to hold her memory close to their hearts. Able Anaya, George Anaya. Johnny Anaya, and Raymond Marquardt, Jessie’s brothers and son-in-law respectively, were fortunate to have shared moments of laughter and love with her. Michael Anaya,(Whitney) Thai Hallam, Narissa, Stephanie Marquardt, and Joseph Tapia (Erin) were blessed as Jessie’s grandchildren, And let us not forget the great- grandchildren: Venice, Teresa, Ellen, Richie, Annebella, Carter, Emma and Theodore.
Jessie Ruybal touched the lives of everyone she met in a profound way. Her love knew no bounds, and her memory will forever be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to have known her. As we mourn her loss, may we also celebrate the incredible person she was and the legacy of love she leaves behind. Jessie’s impact on our lives will never fade away; she will always remain in our hearts as a beacon of light and hope.
