Jerri Jill Wright: 1950 – 2024
Funeral services for Jerri J. Wright, 73-year-old Kaycee resident, who passed away Thursday, will be held July 3, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at the Summit Wesleyan Church in Buffalo with Pastor William Dunlap officiating.
Memorial Donations in Jerri’s name may be made to the Wyoming Epilepsy Foundation, 1612 Central Avenue #3, Cheyenne Wyoming, 82001 or the Summit Wesleyan Church Missions, 980 North Main Street, Buffalo Wyoming, 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.
Jerri Jill Wright, a beacon of love and faith, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2024, just one day shy of her 74th birthday.
Jerri was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, on June 28, 1950, to Harold and Virgene Tanner. Jerri’s early years were spent in the hills south of Gillette, where she attended a country school that laid the foundation for her lifelong love of learning. She went on to graduate from Campbell County High School in Gillette, Wyoming, and further honed her skills at cosmetology school. On July 1, 1967, she married Jack Wright, and together they embarked on a journey of love, ranching, and family on the Wright Ranch near Gillette.
A champion team roper, Jerri’s passion for horses was matched only by her dedication to her family and her work. Ranching, riding and roping were her foundation. After 17 years of ranch life in Glendo, Wyoming, she continued to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit by owning a Merle Norman Cosmetics Store in Douglas Wyoming. As a board member of the Wyoming Epilepsy Foundation for five years, Jerri’s commitment to service and community was unwavering.
Jerri’s interests and talents were as diverse as the Wyoming landscape she loved. She found joy in reading and leading home bible studies, a testament to her faith-filled life. Jerri enjoyed camping and hunting and she loved working with her children on various projects. But nothing brought her more joy than the time spent with her grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.
In 1988, Jerri and Jack purchased the Dugout Ranch, where they continued to live, work, and create a lifetime of memories until her passing.
Jerri’s love for her family was the cornerstone of her life. She is survived by her husband, Jack Wright of Kaycee, Wyoming; her son, Jase C. Wright and his partner Lisa Hill of Kaycee, Wyoming; her daughter, Jackie K. Reimler and her husband Tim Reimler of Buffalo, Wyoming; her granddaughter, Kaylee M. Long and her husband Barney Long of Kaycee, Wyoming; her granddaughter, Breanna M. Kinghorn and her husband Cotter Kinghorn of Buffalo, Wyoming; and her treasured great-grandchildren: Wyatt L. Long, Rylee K. Long, and Swayde L. Kinghorn.
Jerri was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Virgene Tanner; and her sister, Margaret Nauta.
JoAnn Pauli: 1943 – 2024
JoAnn Pauli, 81, of Cheyenne died peacefully at Davis Hospice Care, on June 28. She was born on March 3, 1943, in Carroll, Iowa., to Edwin and Evelyn (Elias) Groppe.
JoAnn graduated from Cheyenne Central High School in 1961. Shortly after graduation she married the love of her life, Gerald T. Pauli, and they celebrated 54 years of a wonderful marriage.
JoAnn worked at FW Woolworth until she married. She served as Deli Manager for the FE Warren commissary and Albertsons. She and Gerald opened The Welding Shop & MFG, LLC, which she remained in ownership of with Gary and Dwayne.
JoAnn was big into the community. She was a lifetime member of United Commercial Travelers. She volunteered with 4H and with the Trinity Lutheran Youth Groups. JoAnn enjoyed when she was a Boy Scout Den Mother.
JoAnn was predeceased in death by her parents, Edwin and Evelyn Groppe; her husband, Gerald Pauli; and her brother, Edwin Jr. (Janet) Groppe.
She is survived by her sons: Terry (Diane), Gary (Kristen), and Dwayne (Donna): brother, Alan (Judy) Groppe; grandchildren: Jodi Johnson, Debi (Chris) Walter, Karsten (Brittney) Weihrouch, Matthew Pauli, Kenneth Pauli, Tyler Pauli, Jennifer (Ryan) Dahl; great-grandchildren: Zachery (Tara), Rossum, Delia Walter, Uriah Pauli, Johnathan Walter, Tyler, Pauli Jr., Leonidis Weihrouch, Theseus Weihrouch; great- great-grandchild, Freya Rossum; and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be viewing on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 2 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception in the Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens following the reception.
Pallbearers are Karsten Wiehrouch, Matthew Pauli, Kenneth Pauli and Tyler Pauli.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be given to Trinity Lutheran School.
James A. Schenck: 1939 – 2024
James (Jim) Arthur Schenck, affectionately called the “Tootsie Roll Man,” by hundreds of people, died on June 29, 2024, at the age of 84, at Davis Hospice in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Jim was born in Morton, Wyoming, on August 30, 1939, to Leo and Mildred Schenck, who ran a post office and country store. Jim was taught to love the outdoors from an early age, running a trap line between Morton and Morton School, where he graduated in 1957. He loved to hunt and fish, and he enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter. Jim was also an accomplished musician. From 7th grade through high school he played in a dance band that played at bars throughout the state. He was even offered a job with an out of state band in Nebraska, but his parents refused to let him because he was still in school.
Jim went to the University of Wyoming for two years before working at a sawmill, where he met and married a “sawmiller’s daughter,” Judith Lindsdau. From that marriage, he raised two stepdaughters, Debbie Kay and Catherine, and their son Michael, while living in Riverton, Wyoming. While in Riverton, he managed a sawmill and went to gunsmithing school. He built guns for a number of people in Riverton.
In 1986, Jim moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, rising quickly to the position of plant manager at Woodworks, Inc., from where he retired in 2001. He met and married the love of his life, Kathy Schenck, in 1990.
The couple were married at the Cheyenne Berean Church, where Jim met Christ and accepted him as his personal savior. Jim and Kathy led a ministry called DivorceCare for Christians. He was also a personal prayer partner with his pastor, Richard Crocker. He often sat outside the church in the heat and cold, praying as the elders met. One of the many gifts he offered was his prayers for anyone who asked, and for many who didn’t as well. Jim became an AWANA leader for 2nd-grade Sparkies, where he used his gifts with children to love and keep discipline in a very delicate balance, usually down on the floor with them. He was adored by children, who called him either Mr. Jim or the “Tootsie Roll Man.” Even in his last days, he desired to bring love and joy to children, with the goal of leading them to Jesus. He loved working in the church and would repair furniture when needed. For more than 15 years he and his wife taught a Sunday school class from the Chronological Bible. His pastor often likened the teaching to “digging the Panama Canal with a teaspoon.”
After retirement, Jim was able to achieve some of his personal goals. He went back to college to take computer classes, became a Master Gardener, planted hundreds of trees and roses, took cooking classes, built a woodworking shop, took Photoshop classes, and did a lot of photography. He loved cooking, making all kinds of bread, and using his smoker.
Jim and Kathy also enjoyed traveling, mostly by tour bus. One of their favorite excursions was a ten-day tour of Israel in 2017. He always wanted to go back to Israel.
Jim’s legacy is seen through his biological granddaughter, Katie Tilghman, who spent a few summers with Jim and Kathy. She and her husband Joe always brightened Jim’s day with their faithful visits through the years. Jim was so thankful for the relationship the two of them shared, and he surrounded her with unending prayer.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; son, Michael John of Riverton; stepdaughters, Debbie Hartley of Casper and Cathy Kimmel of Riverton; and stepson, Mitch Hovland of Cheyenne. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Daisy. In addition, he leaves behind several generations of church children and a beloved church family, who will dearly miss the “Tootsie Roll Man” who gave them “vitamins,” smiles, and hugs.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mildred Schenck; his brother, Dick Schenck; sisters, Helen Capellan and Mary Lou Long; an infant son; and a stepson, Mike Hovland.
