Edward S. Bowker: 1961 – 2024
Edward “Ed” Bowker, 63, of Cheyenne, passed at CRMC with Sydnee by his side.
He was born on July 18, 1961, Denver, Colorado to Harold and Laura Bowker.
Ed lived to care for his family; he has taken many positions in order to do that, including working for Lowe’s RDC 965 for 18 years, HP for 5 years and small positions between them. He has started small businesses, including auto repair and auto upholstery. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed making stained glass, grilling and smoking meats, working on cars, playing tabletop board games, D&D, he was always a “font of trivial BS,” great at trivia games and car shows; plus, when he was younger, he loved LARPing, camping, hunting and fishing. He has felt strongly enough about different organizations to be a chair, which are Pudgy Paladins of IFGS, Northern Colorado VDubs, and Awana at Happy Jack Country Church.
Ed grew up as the oldest of four children; although he was born in Denver the family quickly moved to Lakewood, Colorado. After graduation, he went to Red Rocks Community College and received a degree in computer science, which he used for many years. Gold Co offered him a position in northern Colorado, which he took. When Ed was living in Loveland, Colorado he met Sydnee in 1991 at a meeting of Northern Colorado VDubs; they started dating at the beginning of 1993 and in December 1993, they married. In March of 1995 they welcomed their first son, Gehlan, into their life. Then, in November of 1997, they welcomed their first daughter, Alison.
Hewlett Packard moved the small family to Spokane, Washington, where they welcomed their son Jonathan in May 2001. After Sydnee’s parents passed away, Ed and Sydnee chose to buy her parents’ place here in Cheyenne, and in June 2006, they welcomed their last child, Evalynn. He got to welcome his first grandchild, Vladimir in 2023. He was very devoted to his family and loved them dearly.
He is survived by his wife, Sydnee Bowker; children: Gehlan Bowker, Alison and her husband, James Boyd and their son Vlad; children, Jonathan Bowker, and Evalynn Bowker; his siblings: Charles Bowker and his wife Lisa, Sharon Brown and her husband Matt, and Kathy Weinstein and her husband Dave.
Ed was preceded in death by Laura Bowker and Harold Bowker, his parents.
Services will be Tuesday September 10, at 2 p.m., Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel1900 East 19th St. Cheyenne, WY 82001. If attending, please wear light or bright colors, not the traditional black or dark colors.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate gift cards or financial help, because Ed was the primary breadwinner.
Muriel L. Diemel: 1925 – 2024
Muriel Lucille Diemel (née Chadwick) passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024, in Greybull, Wyoming, at the age of 99. Born on June 11, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, Muriel lived a full life characterized by her creative and nurturing spirit.
A graduate of Eaton High School, class of 1943, Muriel later embraced a career as a cosmetologist, where she brought beauty and joy into the lives of her clients. Beyond her professional life, she was a gifted cook, crafter, and homemaker, known for her crocheting, canning, and entertaining. Muriel also had a passion for dancing, traveling, and playing games, which she shared with friends and family alike.
Muriel met Earl Diemel during world war II in 1943 at a rollerskating rink in Cheyenne. They exchanged letters while Earl was in the south Pacific theater and were married on April 14, 1946 in Deerbrook, Wisconsin. Muriel took a bus from Cheyenne to northern Wisconsin with the only request being that Earl would meet her in a taxi. Years later, Earl would write a book about their experiences entitled “Meet Me in a Taxi”. They lived in Summit Lake, Wisconsin for two years before returning to Cheyenne and making a home there. Earl soon became an electrician and joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers which took them to many parts of the United States including Washington, California, Illinois, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Montana, and Colorado. It was during their time in Colorado that their son Dennis was born. Cheyenne remained a home base for them and in the early 1960’s Muriel launched her own career as a cosmetologist; she opened her own beauty shop and prospered successfully for a number of years. Muriel enjoyed that time as she was able to be near her parents and siblings in which she was totally involved with the cooking at the large family gatherings and boy could she cook!
Life settled down for Muriel in 1971 when the family moved to Douglas, Wyoming. Muriel and Earl would remain there until 1995 during which time they made many new lifelong friends. A multitude of events happened while they lived in Douglas, their son Dennis graduated from high school, got married, and their first grandson, Albert was born. Earl retired from the IBEW and life was good with winters spent in Las Vegas with her sister Zelda and her husband Marvin, returning to Douglas every spring to enjoy the Wyoming summers with friends and family.
The final chapter came along in 1994 when Muriel and Earl decided to build a new home geared toward their advancing age in Greybull, Wyoming. The move to the new home was the following year and it was there that they would spend the remainder of their years. Earl passed away in 2017 and on April 14 of that year they celebrated 71 years of marriage. For the next seven years, Muriel lived by herself in that home.
It was on a full moon the early morning hours of August 19 Muriel passed away peacefully in her sleep with her son Dennis at her side, ending a long journey that brought much joy to all she met along the way.
Muriel was the beloved matriarch of her family, survived by her son, Dennis; grandchildren: Albert, James, and Molly; great-grandchildren: Nathan, Anna, and Maggie; brother, Rayburn; sister-in-law, Judy; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Gracie; husband, Earl; siblings, Lillian, Zelda, and Richard; and granddaughter, Sarah.
Services to honor Muriel’s life will be held at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on September 6 at 2 p.m. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Charles Lee “Charlie” Jones: 1972 – 2024
Charles Lee “Charlie” Jones, 52, of Cheyenne, was born on April 7, 1972, in Springfield, Missouri, had passed away in Cheyenne Wyoming on September 2, 2024.
Charlie grew up in Nixa, Missouri, where he attended high school and played as a running back on the football team. He was selected to attend college at the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 1995. After graduation, he served in the missile field and was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 2002 he left his military service to serve in law enforcement as an agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His career and life choices took him places all over the world, but he always wanted to come back to Wyoming. He finally got that chance in 2017 when he became the Supervising Senior Agent for all the Wyoming Field Offices. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in November 2022. Charlie would not sit still for long and made a full circle back to the Air Force working as a civilian contractor.
Charlie loved being outdoors, whether it was in the mountains at the family cabin feeding peanuts to the chipmunks or in the elk woods hunting. Charlie was a huge sports fan. While stationed in Germany he learned how to play rugby. He loved rugby so much that he became a referee and was refereeing at the collegiate level. He also enjoyed playing cards with his friends.
He is survived by his wife, Tammy Jones; two sons, Jake Jones and Josh Jones; father and stepmother, Al and Beth Jones; two grandsons, Jameson and Klay Jones; sister, Melissa Starnes; and countless friends who he considered part of his family.
Charlie was preceded in death by his mother, Cyndi Ayers.
Instead of sending flowers please consider donating to Charlie’s memorial fund with the American Heart Association.
Karen Kay Swindell: 1942 – 2024
Karen Kay Swindell (nee Davey), aged 82, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024, at home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Born on January 24, 1942, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Evertt and Bonnie Davey, Karen lived a life marked by kindness, creativity, and a deep love for her family.
A proud graduate of Cheyenne Central High School, Karen carried the values of her education throughout her life, cultivating a home filled with warmth and laughter. She possessed a passion for gardening, ensuring that her surroundings were as vibrant and nurturing as her personality. Karen’s home was a reflection of her heart: welcoming and beautifully kept.
Her love for gardening and pride in making a beautiful home for her family. She cherished moments spent on the dance floor with friends and loved ones. Above all, Karen was devoted to her family, finding her greatest joy mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Karen leaves behind her beloved husband, Albert Swindell of 64 years; her children: Cindy Swindell/Roybal, Chris Swindell, and Tammy Swindell; and her cherished grandchildren: Chad, Seth, Ashley, Morgan, Tristan, Colt, Taylor, and Wade; along with four great-grandchildren who brought her immense pride and happiness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Evertt Davey and Bonnie Davey/Robertson; and her brothers, Larry and Jerry Davey.
Karen’s legacy of love, laughter, and beauty will be remembered by all who knew her, as she made a lasting impact on every life she touched.
Patricia Bocanegra Wilson: 1955 – 2024
Patricia (Patsy) Bocanegra Wilson, 68, passed away August 29, 2024, at Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, Colorado after a brief illness.
Patsy was born October 22, 1955, and attended Cheyenne schools. In 1981, she met her future husband, Tom Wilson, then a young Airman stationed at F. E. Warren AFB. Immediately following their marriage, she assumed her most challenging job, that of a military spouse. She unwaveringly supported her husband, his troops, and their spouses throughout his 30-year military career. Although she was fortunate to have travelled and vacationed to many different parts of the world, her all-time favorite place was just being at home.
She was a devoted Christian, often spending hours reading the bible and daily devotions. She had a very unique way of looking at life. One day during a severe windstorm her husband noted the wind was violently blowing their backyard trees, to which she replied, “It’s so beautiful, my trees are dancing for me.” She loved being outdoors doing her two favorite hobbies, fishing, and metal detecting. Other than God, the one thing she cherished most in life was being with her family. She was fiercely protective of them and wasn’t shy about being so. But at the same time, she had the most gentle, caring heart which allowed her to see the good in every person she met, regardless of their social status. Everyone who knew her would all agree in saying, there’s only one Patsy, and she will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Tom Wilson; daughter, Jessica (Eric) Walls; grandson, Jakob Walls; siblings: Wesley (Diane) Bocanegra, Margarita Holyoak, Felix (Robin) Bocanegra, Terri Bocanegra, Lawrence (Nancy) Bocanegra, Yvonne (Chris) Kolkman, Michelle (Michael) Frausto, Alexia (Richard) Parker; and numerous other family members. She was preceded in death by her oldest grandson, Liam Walls. His unexpected passing broke her heart more than anything in her life.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
