Obituary - Patricia Jeanne Adamson Van Valkenburg

Patricia 'Jeanne' Van Valkenburg

Feb. 15, 1946-Dec. 14, 1989

WOODBURN--Patricia "Jeanne" Van Valkenburg, 43, died Thursday in Portland. She was born in Vancouver, B.C., and was raised in the Portland area. She had lived in Green River, Wyo., for many years before coming to Woodburn in November. She had worked for Wyoming Land Title Company in Green River.

She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly A. Andrew, and son, Corey W., both of Green River, Wyo.; parents, Robert and Evelyn Adamson of Woodburn; sister, Wendy L. Washburn of Milwaukie; and brother, James Adamson of Canby.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Simon mortuary. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Learn more about Patricia on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/adamson/patricia-adamson.

Obituary - Galen Thomas Van Valkenburg

Galen T. Van Valkenburg

ROCK SPRINGS--Galen T. Van Valkenburg, 81, of 832 Connecticut Ave., Rock Springs, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, at the Sage View Care Center. A resident of Rock Springs since 1973 and former resident of Oregon, Van Valkenburg died following a lengthy illness.

He was born on Nov. 4, 1923, in Rock Springs, the son of Galen and Florence Reese Van Valkenburg. Van Valkenburg attended schools in Rock Springs. He married Winifred Pitchford in Rock Springs on Oct. 19, 1946. Van Valkenburg was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was employed by the Blacksmith Boilermakers Union and worked as a welder for 20 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, Young-at-Heart Senior Citizens Center, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Young-at-Heart Senior Rhythm Band and Local 182 Blacksmith Boilermaker Union. His interests included wood carving, hunting, fishing, making ornamental iron, and rock hunting. He was an artist and spent time with his family at their cabin in Boulder.

Survivors include his wife, Wini Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs; two sons, Paul Van Valkenburg and wife Darlene and Terry Lynn Van Valkenburg and wife Sandy, all of Green River; three brothers, Albert Van Valkenburg of West Allis, Wis., Robert Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs and Howard Van Valkenburg and wife Jean of Rock Springs; two sisters, Jane Ann Van Valkenburg of Ogden, Utah, and Mary Koritnik and husband Joe of Cheyenne; three grandchildren, Kim Goins, Corey Van Valkenburg and Steve Van Valkenburg; three great-grandchildren, Dwayne Andrew, Amanda Andrew and Devon VanValkenburg; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister Eva Tolar and her husband Bill.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2005, at the First Congregational Church, 1275 Adams Ave., Rock Springs. The Rev. Harvey Joyner will conduct the services. Military graveside services and interment will be conducted by the American Legion Archie Hay Post No. 24 at the Mountain View Section of the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. Friends may call at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk St., Rock Springs, Sunday from 2-8 p.m. and again Monday morning at the church one hour prior to services.

--Obituary published on 03/23/2005 in the RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Learn more about Galen on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/vanvalkenburg/galen-thomas-vanvalkenburg.

Obituary - Nellie E. Anderson Walling

MRS. NELLIE E. WALLING

Mrs. Nellie E. Walling, 75, 128 Grant Street, a resident of Rock Springs since 1945, died after a short illness Thursday, Dec. 7, at 8:10 p.m. in Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Walling was born Sept. 27, 1892, in Steubenville, Ohio, the daughter of John and Rebecca Carter Anderson. She moved to Rock Springs from Martin’s Ferry, Ohio in 1945.

Survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Florence DeWester, Rock Springs, and Mrs. Robert (Louellen) Jackson and Mrs. Don (Lavern) Slate, both of Omaha, Neb.; one sister, Mrs. Esther Dominiske, Rock Springs; 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The deceased was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Post No. 61, Pueblo, Colo., and the Pocahontas.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at Vase Funeral Home, the Rev. Douglas Wasson officiating. Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Joe Dominiske, Leo Dominiske, F.P. Cody, Howard Van Valkenburg, Robert Van Valkenburg and Dick Hostetter.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Dec 16, 1967

Learn more about Nellie on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/anderson/ellen-anderson.

Obituary - Robert Roger Buston

ROBERT BUSTON

EVERETT, Wash.—Former Rock Springs resident Robert Buston, 90, of Everett, Wash. died Aug. 12, 1990 in Everett.

The Rev. Nick Berrian officiated at the burial at the Chapel of Evergreen Washilli, Aug. 18. Burial was in the Evergreen Washilli Cemetery in Seattle. Six of his grandsons were pallbearers.

The pallbearers were Ed Roark, John Roark, Bill Davis, Paul Limb, Ralph Buston and Scott Anderson.

He was born June 23, 1900 in Rock Springs to the late Robert and Minnie Buston.

He is survived by his wife, Delia; a son, Robert of Deming, Wash. and a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Peggy Jean) Sedlback; three sisters, Mrs. Ben (Amelia) Hautala; Mrs. Leo (Ann) Dominiske of Rock Springs, and Mrs. Harry (Thelma) Faddis of Seattle; 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy Parr Buston, his parents and four brothers, James, Roger, Richard and William Buston.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Aug 25, 1990

Learn more about Robert on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/buston/robert-roger-buston.

Obituary - John William Firmage

John W. Firmage

Funeral services for John W. Firmage Jr., 62, were held Thursday at the L.D.S. church. Bishop William Gibbs conducted the rites and burial was in Mountain View cemetery.

Friends who served as pallbearers were J.M. McLennan, James Parr, Herman Seilaff, William Tolar, Mike Zakovich and George White.

Mr. Firmage, a life-long resident of Rock Springs, died at his home at the No. 6 pump station Monday. He had been in failing health for several years.

John William Firmage was born Jan. 27, 1895 in Rock Springs, a son of John Firmage Sr. and Janet Hunter Firmage, pioneer residents of the city. He was a World War I veteran from Sweetwater county.

Mr. Firmage and Florence Cook were married May 14, 1918 in Green River. Mrs. Firmage and their four daughters survive. The daughters are Mrs. Edward (Janet) McPhie of Pinedale, Mrs. August (Ethel May) Bakka of Rock Springs, Mrs. Louis (Esther) Stevens and Mrs. Howard (Florence Jean) Van Valkenburg, both of San Diego. Eight grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Edward (Janet) Hoy or Layton, Utah, also survive.

Mr. Firmage was a longtime employee of Union Pacific Coal company and served as superintendent of the company's pump house at No. 6 for about 15 years.

Learn more about John on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/firmage/john-william-firmage.

Obituary - Eva Virginia Dominiske Carrillo

Eva Virginia Carrillo

Eva Virginia Carrillo, 77, of 505 P St., Rock Springs, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at her home. A lifelong resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming Eva Virginia Carrillo had been in ill health since 1996.

She was born Dec. 6, 1929, in Rock Springs, the daughter of Joe and Barbara deWall Dominiske. She attended school in Rock Springs. She married Manuel Carrillo on June 17, 1947, in Rock Springs. Her interests included hunting, fishing, sewing, needlework, baking, reading and spending time with her family. She was a member of the First Congregational Church.

Survivors include her husband, Manuel of Rock Springs; two sons, Rick Carrillo and Becky Goplerud of Rock Springs and John Carrillo and wife Trudy of Rigby, Idaho; two daughters, Maxine Carrillo of Rock Springs and Barbara Coletti of Green River; six grandchildren, Mike Carrillo, Gwen Hill, Nathan Coletti, Tim Coletti, Becky Abrahamson and Dana Coletti; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Barbara; and one grandson.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk St., Rock Springs. Interment will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Vase Chapel on Wednesday from noon until service time.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Jan 30, 2007

Learn more about Eva on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/dominiske/eva-virginia-dominiske-1929.

Obituary - Beulah Burton Bradley Cody

BEULAH BURTON CODY

Services for Beulah Burton Cody, 67, of 313 I Street, Rock Springs were conducted Friday, Jan. 11 at the Vase Funeral Chapel.

Burial was in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Mrs. Cody died Monday, Jan. 7 at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City following a one month illness.

She was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, May 14, 1917, the daughter of Clarence and Esther Ann Anderson Bradley. She attended schools in Ohio and Rock Springs and was a graduate of Rock Springs High School.

Mrs. Cody was a member of the Episcopal Church.

Survivors include two sons, Edward P. Cody of Rock Springs and George LaCore of Evanston; one daughter, Esther Woods of Idaho Falls, Idaho; one sister, Alice Avery of Riviera, Ariz., and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cody was preceded in death by one daughter, Alice Joyce.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Jan 12, 1985

Learn more about Beulah on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/bradley/beulah-bradley.

Obituary - Joseph Felix Dominiske

JOSEPH F. DOMINISKI

Funeral services for Joseph F. Dominiski, 69, were held Tuesday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion. Rev. E. Thomas Rodda conducted the rites and burial was in Mountain View cemetery. Friends who served as pallbearers were Gus Christoff, Herman Gerras, Colin Hamilton Jr., Ferdnand Marcy, John Samuels and Harry Walkup.

Mr. Dominiski died Saturday, Jan. 31, at Sweetwater Memorial hospital. He had been in ill health for three and one half years. He was a retired coal miner and had been employed by Colony Coal company.

Joseph Felix Dominiski was born Sept. 16, 1883, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and had lived in Rock Springs for 39 years.

Survivors are his wife, Esther; two sons and a daughter, Joseph Carl and Leo Edward Dominiski, and Mrs. Milton Friel, all of Rock Springs; five grandchildren and one great-grandson; two stepdaughters, Alice Bradly of Los Angeles and Mrs. Joseph Huntley of Chillecothe, Mo., who both were in Rock Springs for the funeral services; one brother and one sister, Leo F. Dominiski of Akron, Ohio and Katherine Hendershott of Dover, N.J.

The Dominiski home is at 331 I street.

--Rock Springs Miner, Feb 8, 1953

Learn more about Joseph on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/dominiske/joseph-felix-dominiske.

Obituary - Helen Lucile Pitchford Cross

HELEN LUCILE CROSS

PORTLAND, Ore.--A memorial service was conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 1996 in Portland Memorial Sunset Chapel for Helen Lucile Cross, who died May 29 at age 72.

Mrs. Cross was born July 18, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, Neb., and lived in Portland since 1946. She graduated in 1941 from Lincoln High School in Green River. A member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church, she was a grocery clerk for Safeway. She married William in 1941. Her maiden name was Pitchford.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Lynda Stanley of Canby, Ore. and Janet Craig of Clackamas, Ore.; two sons, Ronald and Dennis, both of Portland; one sister, Winifred Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Darwin Pitchford. Inurnment was in Portland Memorial Mausoleum.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Jun 15, 1996

Learn more about Helen on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/pitchford/helen-lucile-pitchford.

Obituary - Eva Virginia Dominiske Friel

EVA FRIEL

Funeral services for Eva Friel were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1996 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Second and B streets, Rock Springs. The Rev. Russ Johnson officiated. Interment was in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Rock Springs.

Pallbearers were Steve Hickerson, Kevin Friel, Keith Friel, Craig Friel, Blair Friel and Brian Friel. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Mackey, Lee Harns, Paul Montgomery, Joel Hickerson, Bill Harns and Jared Harns.

Mrs. Friel, 89, of 821 Young Ave., Rock Springs, died at 6:55 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 1996 at the home of her daughter in Rock Springs. A resident of the Rock Springs area since 1916 and former resident of Colorado, Mrs. Friel had been in ill health for the past several months.

She was born on Feb. 14, 1907 in Erie, Colo., the daughter of the late Joe Felix and Margaret Anderson Dominiski. Mrs. Friel attended schools in Colorado and Rock Springs and was a graduate of Rock Springs High School with the class of 1928. She married Milton B. Friel Sr., and he preceded her in death in October of 1960. Mrs. Friel was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Milton B. and Cindy Friel Jr., of Rock Springs; one daughter, Nancy Hickerson of Rock Springs; one sister-in-law, Anna Dominiski of Rock Springs; 10 grandchildren, Steven Hickerson, Mrs. Mike (Cheryl) Mackey, Mrs. Bill (Nancy) Harns, Ruther Hickerson, Mars. Paul (Cathy) Montgomery, Kevin, Keith, Craig, Blair, Brian and Reena Friel; 26 great-grandchildren; and several nieces also survive.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Feb 24, 1996

Learn more about Eva on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/dominiske/eva-virginia-dominiske-1907.

Obituary - Margaret Rebecca Anderson Dominiske

Local Woman Stricken On Bus And Dies

Mrs. Joseph F. Dominiski of 314 D street, aged 43 years, died in the Carbon County Memorial hospital at Rawlins Monday one hour after she was taken from an eastbound transportation bus. She was stricken as the bus entered Rawlins and was removed to the hospital at once.

Mrs. Dominiski left early Monday for her old home in Ohio. She had been in ill health for several months suffering from a serious heart condition. The trip to the home of her parents was planned in an effort to prolong her life.

Decedent with her family had lived in Rock Springs for the last five years. Prior to that time she lived at Reliance for ten years. She was born in England November 29, 1887 and came with her parents to America when she was three years old. The family of her father and mother settled in Ohio. Her maiden name was Rebecca Margaret Anderson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson who survive her. She was married to Joseph Dominiski at Walsenburg, Colorado in 1904.

Mrs. Dominiski is survived by her husband, two sons, J.C. Dominiski of Reliance, and Leo L. Dominiski of this city; one daughter, Mrs. Milton Friel, also of Rock Springs; one grandson and one granddaughter; a sister, Mrs. Albert Reese of Rock Springs; and four sisters and one brother who live in Ohio with her parents.

Funeral Today

Funeral services were held today at two p.m. from the home on D street and from the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion at two-thirty p.m. Rev. R. Emmet Abraham of Green River, a former rector of the church, officiated. Mrs. Dominiski was of the Episcopalian faith.

Many friends of the family from Rock Springs and Reliance were in attendance and there were many floral tributes. Pallbearers were William Reese, Galen Van Valkenburg, Henry Lance and Clyde Moss, of Rock Springs, Robert Jolly of Winton, and William Stark of Reliance. Interment in charge of the Rogan Mortuary was in Mountain View cemetery.

--Rock Springs Rocket, Oct 2, 1930

Learn more about Margaret on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/anderson/margaret-rebecca-anderson.

Obituary - Mae Cook Faddis

Mrs. William Faddis Services Conducted

Funeral services for Mrs. William (Mae) Faddis, 57, of Kemmerer, formerly of Rock Springs, were conducted Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the LDS Church in Kemmerer. Burial was in the Kemmerer Cemetery.

Mrs. Faddis, the former Mae Cook, was born in Rock Springs April 5, 1915 and had attended schools here. She married William Faddis in Salt Lake City. He preceded her in death Dec. 16, 1969. She had been a resident of Kemmerer more than 20 years. She died Saturday at her home in Kemmerer after a sudden illness.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Rudy (Janice) Koci of Kemmerer; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Nellie Faddis of Kemmerer; two sisters, Mrs. Florence Firmage and Mrs. Ethel “Dolly” Brown, both of Rock Springs; three brothers, Arthur Cook of Rock Springs, Harold Cook of San Diego, Calif., and Tom Cook of Ogden, Utah; and several nieces and nephews.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket Miner, Dec 23, 1972

Learn more about Mae on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/cook/mae-cook.

Obituary - Leo Edward Dominiske

LEO E. DOMINISKE

Funeral services for Leo Edward Dominiske, 64, of 4004 Springs Drive, Rock Springs, were conducted Friday at 10 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, the Rev. George Mackey officiating. Burial was in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were James Buston Jr., Milton Friel, Hugh Friel, Ben Hautala Jr., Robert Hautala and Larry Hickerson.

Mr. Dominiske died Tuesday, April 3, at his home. He had been in ill health for the last two years.

Mr. Dominiske was born March 7, 1909 at Erie, Colo., the son of the late Joseph F. and Margaret Anderson Dominiske. He married Ann H. Buston July 13, 1929 at Rock Springs. He came to Rock Springs in 1915 and had resided here since then. Mr. Dominiske had been employed as a coal miner until 1957. He was later employed by Sweetwater County from 1959 until May 1972 when he retired due to his health. He attended schools in Rock Springs and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Rock Springs Gem and Mineral Club, United Mine Workers of America, Young-at-Heart Senior Citizens Center and American Association of Retired Persons. He had been active in the county Democratic Party organization and at the time of his death was serving as a precinct committeeman, a position he had held for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Ann of Rock Springs; one daughter, Mrs. Harold L. (Lois) Williams of Rock Springs; one brother, Joseph of Rock Springs; one sister, Mrs. Milton (Eva) Friel of Rock Springs; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Apr 7, 1973

Learn more about Leo on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/dominiske/leo-edward-dominiske.

Obituary - Richard Joseph Hickerson

RICHARD J. HICKERSON

Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at the Rock Springs LDS Church for Richard Joseph Hickerson, 57, of 332 P St., Rock Springs. Bishop Larry O. West officiated. Interment was in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Mr. Hickerson died Sunday at 8:45 a.m. at Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient one day.

A lifetime resident of Rock Springs, he was born Dec. 21, 1910, in Rock Springs. Mr. Hickerson, a retired carpenter, was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Rock Springs Art Guild.

Surviving are his wife, Ansta, Rock Springs; one daughter, Mrs. James (Marilynn) Noble, Rock Springs; one son, Larry, Rock Springs; one brother, Sam, Cheyenne; two sisters, Mrs. William (Lillian) Welsh, and Mrs. Harry (Ruth) Fitchett, both of Rock Springs; six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were James Daniel, Robert and Ted Welsh, Charles Phillips, Harry Fitchett Jr. and John F. Kemp.

Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Jun 8, 1968.

Learn more about Richard on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:
https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/hickerson/richard-joseph-hickerson.

Obituary - Richard Larry Hickerson

R. LARRY HICKERSON

Services for R. Larry Hickerson, 45, of 1317 McKinley St., Rock Springs were conducted Monday, Dec. 20 at the Our Lad of Sorrows Catholic Church. The Rev. Eugene Sullivan officiated.

Burial was in the Paul J. Wataha Memorial Park.

Mr. Hickerson died Thursday, Dec. 16 at his home following a six-month illness. He was born in Rock Springs on Feb. 12, 1937, the son of Richard Joseph and Ansta Phillips Hickerson. He attended schools in Rock Springs and was a graduate of the Rock Springs High School with the class of 1955. Mr. Hickerson graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1964 with an engineering degree.

He married the former Nancy Lee Friel in Rock Springs on Sept. 6, 1958. Mr. Hickerson was employed as an engineer for the FMC Company for the past 17 years. He was a member of the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy; his mother, Ansta Hickerson; one son, Steven Larry Hickerson; four daughters, Mrs. Michael (Cheryl Lee) Mackey, Mrs. Neil (Nancy Lenee) West, Ruth Lynn Hickerson and Cathy Laine Hickerson all of Rock Springs; one sister, Mrs. James (Marilynn) Noble of Rock Springs; four grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Hickerson was preceded in death by his father.

Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Dec 25, 1982.

Learn more about Richard on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/hickerson/richard-larry-hickerson.

Obituary - Alice Mae Gates Van Valkenburg

Alice Van Valkenburg

Visitation: Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Sunday, September 11, 1:00-2:00 PM.

Service: Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Sunday, September 11, 2:00 PM.

Passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Age 88. Loving wife of Albert for 68 years. Caring mother of Richard (Susan). Grandma of 2. Great-grandma of 1. Also survived by a sister, other devoted relatives and friends. Preceded in death by many other loved relatives and friends. Gathering at the Funeral Home, Sunday, September 11 from 1:00 PM–2:00 PM. Memorial Service at 2:00 PM. Private committal at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Memorials are appreciated to the American Cancer Society or your local animal shelter.

“You were a friend to many and dearly missed.”

Learn more about Alice on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/gates/alice-gates.

Obituary - Nancy Lee Friel Hickerson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Nancy Lee Friel Hickerson, 89, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, on September 20, 2025, in Casper, Wyoming. She was a resident of Casper for the past seven years and a former resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Nancy Lee was born on July 29, 1936, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the daughter of Milton Blair Friel and Eva Virginia Dominiski Friel. She attended Rock Springs High School and graduated in 1954. After being awarded a scholarship to Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing, Nancy briefly moved to Salt Lake City, UT where she earned her nursing degree. Always a trailblazer, Nancy also helped lead her nursing school basketball team to championship titles in 1955 and 1956.

Upon graduation, Nancy returned to Rock Springs, where she reconnected with her former classmate, Larry Hickerson, at a dance. They wed on September 6, 1958, and continued to enjoy music and dance throughout their marriage – often in the middle of the kitchen floor.

Nancy also began working at Memorial Hospital Sweetwater County, where she stayed for many years. She held several positions including Bedside Nurse, Surgical and Medical Nurse, Nurse House Supervisor, Director of Miners Clinic, Director of Employee Health and Infection Control, and a front-line educator for nurses and nurses’ aides in training. As a proud coal miner’s daughter, The Miners Clinic, which she helped start, was especially dear to her heart.

Nancy also worked as a nurse for long-time Rock Springs physician, Dr. Ludwig Prych. Many Rock Springs residents have reported to Nancy’s children that if they had to get a shot, they hoped it would be from Nurse Nancy.

Community and service were close to Nancy’s heart. She was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrow’s Church, where she was one of the first women to be named a Eucharistic Minister. Additionally, Nancy was an engaged member Saint Christopher’s Circle and the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) – a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women’s educational aspirations. She also volunteered for the Meals in Wheels program, Memorial Hospital, and the Senior Citizen’s Center.

In her free time, Nancy was known to enjoy lively games of bridge and cherished the many friendships she cultivated in various bridge clubs. She found joy in outdoor activities, reading, music, travelling, and was an avid attendee of theater, arts, and sporting events. Above all, Nancy loved spending time with her family, whom she adored – especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include one son, Steven Hickerson and his wife Sandy of Rock Springs, Wyoming; four daughters, Cheryl Mackey and her husband Mike of Casper, Wyoming; Nancy Harns and her husband Bill of Casper; Ruth Hickerson of Denver, Colorado; and Cathy Montgomery and her husband Paul of Lansing, Kansas; twelve grandchildren: Joel, Lenee, Larry, Eva, Ryan, Lauren, Jered, Lee, Kimberly, Chris, Colten and Demarin; 25 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Larry Hickerson, her parents Milton and Eva Dominiski Friel, and two brothers, Hugh Friel and Milton Friel.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Nursing Program at Western Wyoming Community College. These can be sent in memory of Nancy L Hickerson to the Community Relations Department, Western Wyoming Community College, 2500 College Drive, Rock Springs WY 82901.

A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 116 Broadway, Rock Springs, Wyoming. A Rosary will be recited at 4:00 PM Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Vase Funeral Chapels. Graveside Services and Interment will be at the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Nancy’s warm spirit touched the lives of many and her legacy of love and service lives on and her family and community. Friends and family are invited to leave condolences at www.vasefuneralhomes.com.

Learn more about Nancy on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/friel/nancy-lee-friel.