Art Ellis: 1938 – 2024
After a very long Alzheimer’s goodbye, Art Ellis 86, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, completed his time on earth holding his wife’s left hand, while Jesus took his other, on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne.
Art was born to Ida Jewell and Merle Ellis on February 11, 1938, in Upton, Wyoming on his grandparents homesteaded.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Merle; and his brother, Charles Ellis. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Ellis; son, Jeff Ellis; daughter, Jennifer (Sam) Calvetti; grandsons: Dustin Ellis, Colter Calvetti (Dianna) all of Cheyenne; granddaughter, Ellisa Catlynne (Brandon) Shadakofsky of Littleton, Colorado; sister, Shirley (John) Roberts of Sheridan; sister-in-law, Nikki Ellis of Buffalo; and his great-grandchildren: Blaze, Bliss and Karma Ellis, Vanellope and Alice Calvetti; as well as nieces and nephews and their children. His ever faithful dog, Gracie, misses him dearly.
Art never had a job he didn’t like. His first job was selling newspapers on the streets of Sheridan where he doubled his money buying papers two for a nickel and selling them for a nickel a piece. Don Strelow, owner of the Strelow Office Supply, employed Art at one time and said “Art was the son he never had.” He gave Art his first antique car.
He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1957 and moved to Laramie, Wyoming to pursue higher education. Upon graduation from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s Degree in education, he moved to Sundance where he started his teaching career. He loved working with elementary students in Sundance, Buffalo, and Sheridan. If you asked him what he taught he would say children, not what grade he taught because his students were most important in his mind. He firmly believed that no one can take away from you what you know.
After he earned his Master’s Degree in adult education, Art worked with student teachers for the University of Wyoming. Later he earned his Ph.D. but was never interested in being called Doctor.
Then, he supported the founding of Laramie County Community College where he worked for the next twenty years. While employed at LCCC, Art took a one year leave of absence to work on President Nixon’s Advisory Council on Adult Education in Washington, D.C. It was a great opportunity for his family to tour the east coast and develop a deep appreciation of the Capital of the United States. Of LCCC he always chuckled “I held every job there except the presidency and the custodian. When they suggested I become the custodian, it was time to go.” This was his first retirement.
Rocky Mountain Bank welcomed Art to the trust department and he enjoyed the change in careers. Following that, he was on his second retirement. He left the bank to work for the State of Wyoming as the Director of the Administration and Information Department. After his third retirement, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center hired him to serve as Amy Davis’ Personal Representative in building the Davis Hospice Center. With a smile in his voice, he would say, “I got good at finding jobs. Actually, the truth is, they always found me.”
Art loved and was dedicated to his family. He chose to live as an example instead of teaching lessons. He often said, “You only have to work half a day to get ahead—the first twelve hours or the last twelve hours.” He showed this philosophy when he and his family built their home. He taught Jeff and Jenny to drive nails with a setting tap and one hard whack. Although everyone called it “Gram’s House,” Art generously shared it with many in tours of his garage and his office (the Art-chive), patio parties, birthday celebrations, a wedding, Christmas, and of course, all the “Well, hi! What brings you to town?” occasions. One time there were two war veterans who camped out on his well kept lawn overnight until he took them coffee the next morning and gave them a ride to Comea Shelter.
Art enjoyed Civitan, Rotary Club, Oak Spokes, coffee with the “State of the State Boys”, and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Art was a man of many skills, talents, accolades, and qualities. We thank him for setting a good example and gifting a legacy beyond measure.
For memorial contributions, please consider: Arthur H Ellis scholarship at Laramie County Community College
Davis Hospice Center
First United Methodist Church
Duane L. Stevenson: 1936 – 2024
Duane L. Stevenson, 87, of Cheyenne, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born on November 16, 1936, in Preston, Idaho to Leland and Erma (Sparrow) Stevenson.
Duane was raised in Idaho and Utah and grew up working on his grandparents’ dairy farm. In his own words Duane stated, “I’ve been real lucky with my life…after graduating high school, I attended Weber State College when it was still a junior college. Then I was off to the University of Utah and, later joined the U.S. Air Force for 3 years 9 months and 27 days. After the service, I went back to Weber on a scholastic probation.”
“After graduation, I moved to Denver and worked for a large insurance company and worked as an adjustor and claims supervisor. I had a hard time with the large city, traffic, and corporate mentality so I moved to Baker, Montana and bought a small insurance agency. So I went from too big to too small. After three and a half years, I sold the agency and moved to Buffalo, Wyoming to manage a corporate agency there but I was again working for a large company and my ‘personality,’ and corporate ideas didn’t make me a happy camper.”
“I moved on to Cheyenne in 1979. Two other guys (Dick Loeske and Bob Booth) and I purchased a large independent agency.” This was Bell Frontier Insurance Agency. After 40 plus years in the industry, Duane retired in 2009.
During his college years, Duane met his first wife, Barbara Rasmussen. From this marriage, two children were adopted, Steve and Tina.
In early 1985, Duane met his wife, Holly Hansen, while squabbling over their garbage cans. After developing a friendship, they later married in 1990. Duane and Holly travelled extensively after they both retired and then eventually became Arizona snowbirds.
Duane had lots of bad habits that entailed lots of big boy toys: golf, snowmobiling, dune buggies, RZR’s, ‘wrenching,’ and playing poker. His friend, Jim Larson, remembers Duane as the most competitive guy he ever met. As an avid golfer, he bragged that he had made six hole-in-ones. He played golf with many famous people such as: Smoky Robinson, Joe Louis, Jan Stephenson, Jerry Tarkanian, and several others over the years. When snowmobiling, he boosted about going the fastest and the highest up the mountain. Duane was a licensed pilot. He also had a passion for buying and selling used cars.
Duane adored his four grandchildren and most recently his six great grandchildren. He would say they were the light of his life clear until the end.
Duane is survived by his wife, Holly; his son, Steve Stevenson; his daughter, Tina Baker (James); his grandchildren: Alyssa Lantz (Matt), Kyle Stevenson (Brittney), Danielle Martin, Rachel Bustillo (Shane); his great-grandchildren: Mason, Ashtyn, Carter, Isabel, MacKinleigh, and Westin; his former wife, Barbara Stevenson; a sister-in-law, Janeal Stevenson, and his two nieces and a nephew.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leland Stevenson, Erma Tuck; brother, Bud Stevenson; and stepfather, Bob Tuck.
Duane asked to be remembered as a fun guy who loved his wife, his kids, his grandkids, and his great-grandkids.
Military honors will be at the Cheyenne National Cemetery on May 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Airport Golf Club in Cheyenne.
If you would like to donate in Duane’s memory, please consider the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, 800 Southwest Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, 2519 Shield Street #1K-115, Fort Collins, CO 80526 or Wind River Indian Reservation Student Emergency Fund C/O Highlands Presbyterian Church, 2390 Pattison Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82009.
Joan Felicia Teresa Williams: 1943 – 2024
Joan Felicia Teresa Williams, 80, of Cheyenne, died on March 31, 2024 in Cheyenne.
She was born on April 5, 1943 in Hamtramck, Michigan.
Joan had many different occupations but most enjoyed her work at Head Start and with Foster Grandparents. Joan enjoyed baking, playing any type of card game and spending time with family.
She is survived by her children: Gary Masters (Staci) of Green River, Wyoming, Lonna Newell, (Bobby) of Denver, Nancy Nelson, of Cheyenne, Robin McClain of Summerfield, Florida, Paul Masters, (Julie) of Rhome, Texas, Fred Williams (Brandy) of Casper, and Donnie Masters (Annette) of Pipestone MN; 20 grandchildren; and numerous great and great-great children
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, William and Julia Roman; one sister, Betty Champine; and three grandchildren: Bucky McClain, Robbin Anne McClain and James Douglass.
