Debra J. Patterson: 1952 – 2024
Debra J Patterson, 71, of North Platte passed away March 19 with her family by her side.
She graduated from Maxwell High School. She worked at Railcrew for 15+ years as a driver and dispatcher.
Debbie enjoyed reading, watching the Hallmark Channel and loved the all girls campout ( AGCO ) that she was a part of for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Shirley Patterson; her brother, Randy and brother-in-law, Roger Owens.
She leaves behind her sisters: Roxann, Lydia, Christine, Robin, Rhonda, Billie; sister-in-law, Jackie’ along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Debbie requested that there be no memorial service.
Margie Lorene Richmond: 1925 – 2024
Margie Lorene Richmond, 99, of Cheyenne peacefully died at 5:30 a.m. Monday morning, March 18, 2024, at Cottonwood Creek Memory Care in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Born March 8, 1925, in Oakley, Kansas, the only daughter of Esther (Brittian) and Loren Hancock. When Margie was seven years old, her parents divorced. She and her mother came to Cheyenne in 1936 when she was 11; here she attended elementary and high school. With her marriage on February 28, 1942, in Goodland, Kansas to Lester Richmond, a service man, the Army sent them to California and Oregon.
After Lester’s discharge from the Army, he entered the trades as a stone mason and together they traveled to and lived in several Wyoming cities to follow brick construction work before returning and settling in Cheyenne around 1952. They were blessed with four children, beginning with a son, Jimmy George, followed three years later by a daughter, Jonie Louise. Six years later came a son, Jerry Lester, and eight years after Jerry a daughter, Janette Esther. They built a home on four acres of property at 5606 Del Range Boulevard back then in 1957 the property was known as Route2, Box 867. They moved into the house on the first of May 1959 just before their daughter, Janette was born (May 29), where Margie lived until 2019.
Margie was employed over a span of 46 years. Her employment included full and part-time positions. In her earlier years she was employed at the Princess Theater to manage concessions. The following employment included Cal’s Restaurant and Bowling Alley as a Maître d’, Deluxe Cleaners as a presser, Frontier Refinery as a secretary, and Wyoming Highway Department Road Design division as an Assistant to the Road Engineers where she retired in 1986 at the age 61. She was also a very inventive entrepreneur with her crafts and artistic talents. Margie was a happy and caring person, taking life as it came, winning her an abundance of longtime friends. Margie was also a member of the American Legion, Post 6.
Margie enjoyed an abundant of activities and interests; her top six being:
Dancing: (ballroom, and square dance). Trips to Lakeside Amusement Park where their children could run and get on rides, she and Lester enjoyed themselves on the dance floor. They were members of a square dance club in Cheyenne. Once on the dance floor it was difficult to get her off, she would dance the night away!
Flower Gardening: beds with tulips and other annual and perennial flowers; outside planters filled with geraniums and inside pots with a variety of house plants. With her artistic talents, she once painted Indian images on clothing and was commissioned to produce these articles for local individuals. Her crewel embroidering designed delightful wall art.
Frontier Days & Rodeo: For over 35 years she held 16 season tickets for the Semi and Final days (two days), sharing her love for rodeo with her children and grandchildren. Hosting her out of town children at her house for sometimes the whole week of Frontier Days.
Traveling with friends and/or family to casinos in Las Vegas, cruises; trips to Mexico with girlfriends; visits with grandson, Jimmy in Mississippi; New Orleans for Mardi gras with daughter, Jonie and son in law, Kenny; Parasailing in Mexico with friends and much more. Wintering in Arizona with her two daughters was a treasured annual event as well as shopping with her son, Jimmy. She enjoyed a good cocktail, her favorite being rum and coke. Later in her life she appreciated attending Mass services with son, Jerry, and daughter-in-law Cindy.
Hospitality and love of her children and grandchildren: There was always room at Margie’s “inn” with good eats as Margie had a variety of recipes that she was always ready to prepare for her guests. You would not leave her house without nourishment. And she always showed interest and support for her children and grandchildren. Son, Jimmy’s interest in the Kian Indian organization plus involvement in the Frontier Days Parade. Daughter, Jonie’s partaking in GAA track & field and the Cheyenne Saddle tramps. Son, Jerry’s participation in rodeo plus baseball, even playing the catcher to allow him to practice his pitching. Daughter, Jan’s involvement in 4-H, where they would sew together and the delivering of 100’s of girl scout cookies over the years.
When Margie’s thought process and memory failed in 2019 to the point that she needed assistance, she first moved to her son, Jerry’s, home. Then in 2021, on November 10, she became the second resident at Cottonwood Creek Memory Care Center where she lived until her death this year. True to her nature, she fostered friendships with other residents as well as the staff who cared for her temporal, emotional and spiritual needs. Before her death, she held the rank of oldest resident in age and residence!
Margie was preceded in death by her father, Loren; mother, Esther, who died in 1977, also on March 18 (a Friday) at the age of 74; her husband, Lester who died July 29, 1981 at the age of 61; her eldest son, Jimmy who died June 5, 2013; also her eldest daughter, Jonie who died on September 22, 2022; and lastly, her son-in-law, Kenny Clark (Jonie). who died June 9, 2023.
She is survived by her son, Jerry (Cindy) Richmond of Cheyenne; daughter, Jan (Mitch) Holloway of Tempe, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Joyce (Jimmy) Richmond of Wilcox, Arizona; grandchildren, Jimmy’s children: Jeff Richmond, Jimmy Richmond Jr., and Jennifer Hoover; Jonie’s son, Darin Clark; Jerry’s children: ShuRee Richmond, Jeret Richmond, and Matt Pholman; Jan’s children: Jason Holloway and Garet Holloway. Her legacy includes 17 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
This is only a brief history of Margie’s life. A great life, a good legacy, and now an eternal reward with God whose gift is eternal joy.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel.
Services will be Thursday, March 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel.
Interment will follow in Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Songs: Stardust (Nat King Cole); Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (BJ Thomas), and Eyes Have Not Seen (Notre Dame Folk Choir)
Friends may make contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Rita Walker: 1938 – 2024
Rita Rae Walker, a beloved mother, real estate professional and true Wyoming spirit passed away peacefully on November 18, 2023.
Born on July 30, 1938 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she was the daughter of Pearl (DeGraw) Barrington McKinney and Stephen Barrington. From the very beginning it was clear that she was a force to be reckoned with. Raised in Cheyenne, Rita developed a love for wide open spaces, rugged landscapes, and the thrill of the rodeo. She attended Cheyenne High School in Cheyenne and was a voracious reader.
She was married to William Ray Walker in 1961. Rita and Bill welcomed twin boys, William and Stephen Walker in 1962. “The Twins” were a great source of pride for Rita. She enjoyed showing them off whenever she could.
Rita was a realtor with her family firm, Barrington Realty, and served as President of the Cheyenne Board of Realtors in 1985, earning the title of Realtor of the Year in 1987. She enjoyed camping in her “Old Blue” RV, bowling, or a rowdy game of cards with her family and she especially enjoyed watching bull riding. She embraced the cowboy spirit with enthusiasm attending rodeos and celebrating the unique culture that defines Wyoming. Later in life she traveled annually with her sister, Karen, to watch championship events all over the West while on their famed “Thelma and Louise” trips.
Rita had a soft spot for pets and always had her beloved -cats and dogs through the years. She was an active member and past president of the Cancer Assistance Association, organizing events to raise funds to help those afflicted with cancer and their families. Rita was always true to herself and very loyal. She had a big heart for her family and a great sense of humor. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved being part of a large group of first cousins and was very close to many of them, attending reunions and staying in touch via visits, phone calls and online communications.
She spent her last years at her home, under the good care of her friend and wonderful caretaker, Mary Gadlin. We miss Rita’s spunk and sass and keen wit.
She was preceded in death by her father, Stephen James Barrington; mother, Pearl Barrington McKinney; sister, Janice Edwards; sister, Karen Tucker; and husband, Bill Walker.
She is survived by her sons, Stephen C. Walker and William P. Walker (Toonie); and three grandchildren: Adele Barrington Walker, Gabrielle Lewis Walker and William Stephen Walker.
Rita’s family will hold a gathering on July 27 to celebrate her life. Location TBD. In memory of Rita, please consider donations in Rita’s name to The Cheyenne Animal Shelter.
