Marta Marie Nelson: 1953 – 2025
Marta Marie Nelson passed away peacefully after a long health battle, both physically and mentally, on March 4, 2025, at The St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana.
She was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, on June 15, 1953, to Lucille (Roth) and Alonzo Hemminger.
Marta graduated from high school in 1971 in Rapid City, South Dakota, and went on to become a single mother to Christopher Kantrud. She then moved home to Minnesota, where she met Kerwin Kantrud through her brother, Michael. They married a short time later in April of 1973, and a few months later, they added to their family with daughter Stacy, followed by Wendy in 1977.
The family lived in various areas of Minnesota and Rapid City, South Dakota, before settling in Gillette in 1980, where Kerwin and Marta raised their family until his passing in August 1985. Kerwin was deeply involved in the lives of all his children.
In June of 1987, Marta married LeRoy Nelson Sr. Together, they welcomed her last two children, Ashley and LeRoy Jr. Marta played a vital role in their construction business until their divorce in 2004.
Throughout her life, Marta was a member of Women of the Moose, a world champion dart player, and deeply involved in ancestry research alongside her cousin Ray Roth. She was a talented crafter and entrepreneur, owning several businesses, including Sunset Silkscreening and craft stores with Clio Carson. Additionally, she was a dedicated landlord, homemaker, and bookkeeper, always keeping herself busy and engaged in various endeavors.
Marta is survived by her children: Christopher Kantrud, Stacy Aloisio (David), Wendy Case, Ashley Kendrick (Aaron), and LeRoy Nelson Jr. (Haley); 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Michael A. Hemminger (Yvonne).
She is preceded in death by Kerwin Kantrud; her mother, Lucille; her father, Alonzo; her aunt, Margaret Lorenson; and her uncles, Roger and Virgil Roth.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Lloyd LeRoy Gritton, Jr.: 1940 – 2025
Lloyd Leroy Gritton Jr, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Cheyenne on March 4, 2025. He was born in Joliet, Illinois on July 3, 1940, to Genevieve and Lloyd Leroy Gritton Sr. He served in the Air Force for twenty years, worked for the Post Office, the USDA and drove a school bus for the Cheyenne school district.
Lloyd enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, cooking, hunting, visiting his grandchildren and traveling with his wife.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Beverley; his previous wife, Cemira Kay Alber; and daughters, Jeanie, Cindy, and Jeanette. He was adored by 11 grandchildren: Trevor, Allison, Nikolas, Bridget, Jack, Andrew, McKenzie, Alexandra, Annika, Bradlee and Tayler.
Lawrence Rodney Larson: 1934 – 2025
Lawrence Rodney Larson was born on February 14, 1934 in Viroqua, Wisconsin. His parents were Ada and Lawrence Larson. The family moved to LaCrosse, Wisconsin where Rod grew up, attended high school, and went to University, where he graduated in 1955 with a BS degree in Chemistry. Then, he served in the Navy for two years where he was assigned to duty on the destroyer USS George K. MacKenzie DD 836.
From 1957-1961, Rod worked in Norway, Michigan in a plant that made granules for roof shingles. From 1961-1964, he served in the Peace Corps in Nigeria. In 1964, Rod enrolled as a chemist with the USGS in Lincoln, Nebraska. From there he was transferred to Worland, Wyoming, then Salt Lake City, Utah, and finally to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Here he built his house on the outskirts of Cheyenne.
With his previous wife, Marilyn, he raised his children and cultivated a fabulous vegetable garden with asparagus, many different vegetables and delicious tomatoes. In the mountains, he built a cabin where he skied with his family. In later years traveling was on the agenda and with current wife, Ingrid, he visited many countries including New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Alaska and Mexico, the latter with the Airstream. He visited Norway several times and explored his ancestor’s birthplaces. At home, gardening was his passion. He loved his family, and enjoyed cutting wood and observing the flames in the wood stove. He loved watching the birds at the feeders. Rod was the most kind, thoughtful person and he will be missed dearly.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Larson. He is survived by his current wife, Ingrid R. Larson; daughter, Ingrid Louise Larson; son, Erik Jon Larson; and his grandchildren: Kristen Anne Larson Derrick, Christopher Jon Larson Derrick, Noah Daniel Larson, and Sadie Erin Larson. He is also survived by Ingrid’s daughters, Karen Cox and Susan Skidmore; and Susan’s daughter, Fiona.
