Obituary - Janet Margaret Firmage McPhie

Janet Margaret Firmage McPhie

CASPER — Janet Margaret Firmage McPhie, 82, died at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper following a six-month illness with cancer.

Mrs. McPhie was born Sept. 26, 1920, in Rock Springs, the daughter of John William Firmage and Florence Cook, longtime residents of Rock Springs. She attended schools in Rock Springs and graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1938.

She married Edward George McPhie on April 9, 1939, in Manila, Utah. They made their first home in Rock Springs and later moved to Reliance where Mr. McPhie worked in the coal mine. Because of an accident in the mine, it became necessary for him to find another source of work and they later moved to Pinedale. They lived in Pinedale where their two sons grew up and attended school.

Mrs. McPhie’s interests included cooking and taking care of her family. After Mr. McPhie suffered a heart attack, they moved to Boise, Idaho, to be close to his doctor. He died in Boise on Sept. 25, 1979, and she continued to make her home there. She was employed at the Boise State College and at Harmon’s Travel Agency. Because of declining health, she moved to Casper in 1997 to be near her son, Gary Lee and wife Noreen and made her home with her grandson, Gary Alan McPhie. Mrs. McPhie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by her son, Gary Lee McPhie and wife Noreen of Casper; five grandchildren, Gary Alan of Casper, Kaylynn and Laurie Ann of Ogden, Utah, and Shawna K. and Timothy Edward of Albuquerque, N.M.; three great-grandchildren, Mikaela and Parker Todd Bingham and Matthew Child of Ogden; two sisters, Jean Van Valkenburg and husband Howard of Rock Springs and Ethel Bakka and husband August of Riverton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Edward George McPhie Jr. who died Sept. 5, 2002, and his wife Paula; one sister, Esther Stevens Woodyat; and one nephew, Gerald Appelhans.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Pinedale. Graveside services will be conducted by her brother-in-law Howard Van Valkenburg at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002.

--RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming, November 22, 2002.

Learn more about Janet on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/firmage/janet-margaret-firmage.

Obituary - Esther Firmage Stevens Woodyatt

Funeral services for Esther Firmage Stevens Woodyatt were conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 1996 at the Vase funeral Chapel, 154 Elk St., Rock Springs. Interment was in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Gerald Appelhans, Merlin Kendall, Ted Brown, Craig Robbins, Gary Pence and Daron Dewey.

Mrs. Woodyatt, 73, of 475 Yellow Creek Road, Evanston, died at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 1996 at the Rocky Mountain Health Care Center in Evanston. A long time resident of Evanston and former resident of Rock Springs, Mrs. Woodyatt died following a lengthily illness.

She was born July 19, 1922 in Rock Springs, the daughter of the late John and Florence Cook Firmage. Mrs. Woodyatt attended schools in Rocks Springs and was a graduate of the Rock Springs high school with the class of 1940.

She married Louis Stevens in Portland, Oregon on February 28, 1942 and he preceded her in death. Mrs. Woodyatt later married and divorced Alvin Portwood in Rock Springs. She then married Don Woodyatt in Evanston and later divorced.

Mrs. Woodyatt sang on KVRS Radio for many years. She was a member of the LDS Church.

Survivors include one son, John Firmage Stevens of Oregon; three sisters, Mrs. Howard (Jean) Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs, Mrs. August (Ethel) Bakka of Riverton and Janet McPhie of Boise, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Woodyatt was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Ester Lee Stevens.

Learn more about Ester on the Firmage Family History website:

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

Obituary - Florence Cook Firmage

Funeral services for Florence Firmage, 79, were held Saturday, December 6, 1980 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on White Mountain Blvd. Bishop James Curry conducted the services and burial was in the Mountain View Section of the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Robert L. Van Valkenburg, Robert W. Van Valkenburg, Dale Seipp, Calvin Potter, Andy Legerski, and Cornell Nate. Honorary pallbearers were Lyman Fearn and Evan Graham.

Mrs. Firmage died at 3:30 A.M. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1980 at the Kimberly Manor Nursing Home. A resident of Rock Springs since 1904, Mrs. Firmage had been in ill health the past one year.

She was born in Leigh Lancashire, England on March 31, 1901. The daughter of the late Edward and Ellen Unsworth Cook.

She attended schools in Rock Springs and married John William Firmage Jr. in Green River on May 4, 1918. Mrs. Firmage was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Howard (Florence Jean) Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs, Janet McPhie of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. August (Ethel Mae) Bakka of Riverton and Mrs. Don (Esther) Woodyatt, of Evanston; two brothers, Harold Cook of San Diego, Calif., and Tom Cook of Ogden, Utah; one sister, Dolly Brown, of Rock Springs and several grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John and three brothers, Arthur, Paul, and Albert Cook and a sister, Mae Faddis.

Learn more about Florence on the Firmage Family History website:

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

Obituary - Ethel Mae Firmage Bakka

RIVERTON - Funeral services for Ethel M. Bakka, 78, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Kim McKinnon officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Viewing will take place today from 7 to 8 p.m., at Davis Funeral Home and from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday in the Relief Society Room of the church.

She died Jan. 27, 2007, at the Federal Heights Rehabilitation Center in Salt Lake City. She was born Aug. 13, 1930, to John William Firmage and Florence (Cook) Firmage in Rock Springs.

She graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1948. She married August E. Bakka on Jan. 4, 1948, in Colorado Springs. The marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 25, 1967. They moved to Riverton from Rock Springs in 1958.

She was very active in the church, having been president of the Relief Society, teaching Sunday classes for many years and as counselor in the presidency of the young women's organization. She also participated in civic organizations such as the Downtowners Association, where she was past president; was also past president of the Hospital Auxiliary and active in numerous other civic endeavors.

She loved to fish, backpack in the Wind River Range, enjoyed various crafts and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was employed by Safeway as a bookkeeper for 12 years; managed the family business, Bakka Floor Covering, for 18 years; worked at Wyoming National Bank for three years and managed Books and Briar for 10 years until she retired.

Survivors include her husband, "Gus," of Riverton; daughters, Kathy Pease of Rapid City, S.D., Sandy K., Cindy L., and Sherri L.; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, a sister, Florence Van Valkenburg and her husband of Rock Springs and several nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a grandson and a great-granddaughter.

Memorials may be given to the Riverton Senior Center, in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main, Riverton, 82501. Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.

Learn more about Ethel on the Firmage Family History website:

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

Obituary - Jane Ann Van Valkenburg Johnson Ward

September 28, 1937 ~ January 6, 2016

Our mother, sister and grandmother ended her life's journey peacefully on January 6, 2016, after enjoying an eventful and full life.

Jane was born on September 28, 1937, the sixth child to Galen B. Van Valkenburg and Florence E. Rees. She grew up roaming the hills in the area north of Rock Springs and enjoyed complete freedom while exploring an imaginative, care-free childhood. Jane attended grade school, junior high and high school in Rock Springs. She graduated from high school in 1955. In high school she served as Secretary to the student body and was active in many activities.

Jane married Larry A. Johnson in June of 1957 and had three children, Laurie, Stuwert and Scott. Jane and Larry were divorced in 1967 and Larry died in 1975. Following the divorce, Jane moved to Ogden, Utah to attend a Radiologic Technology program at St. Benedict's Hospital. She completed the program, became certified and graduated from Weber State University with an Associates Degree. She worked for several years at St. Benedict's Hospital in radiology.

Jane remarried to Joy A. Ward in 1972 in Elko, Nevada and divorced him in 1992.

She continued her education at the University of Utah Medical Center and became certified in Nuclear Medicine. Because she enjoyed learning, Jane completed a baccalaureate degree from Weber State University and was hired by Weber State University to teach in the Radiologic Technology program. While working full time, Jane pursued further education and received a master's degree from Utah State University and a doctoral degree from the University of Utah in educational administration.

Appointed to the position of Department Chair of Radiologic Sciences, our mother worked at Weber State University for 33 years, retiring with the rank of Professor Emerita. During this time, she was very active in her professional organizations on a state, regional and national basis. She served as a Board member of the national certifying agency for eight years and the Board of the national accrediting agency for three years. Jane was instrumental in organizing and developing a national educators' consortium within her profession; developing and implementing an advanced level technologist's educational program that has a national impact in medical imaging; and had written numerous research papers that were published.

Although Jane had left Wyoming due to her schooling and work, she held the wide open spaces of Wyoming in her heart. Upon retiring, she bought property in Lander, build a home and moved back to her beloved state.

Among Jane's hobbies are arrowhead hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, reading and teasing her younger sister, Mary. She also enjoyed listening to all kinds of music, art and ballet.

Survivors are Laurie Winters (Greg), Stuwert Johnson; and two grandsons, Tyler and Chase Johnson; her sister, Mary Koritnik (Joseph); and brother, Howard Van Valkenburg. She is preceded in death by her parents, a sister Eva (Bill); and brothers, Galen, Robert (Enid) and Albert (Alice) Van Valkenburg; sister-in-law, Florence; and her son, Scott.

Cremation has already taken place. Her ashes will be spread to the winds in the red desert at a later date.

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

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/vanvalkenburg/jane-ann-vanvalkenburg.

Obituary - Herbert James Brown

HERBERT JAMES “BERT” BROWN

A memorial service for Herbert James “Bert” Brown was conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 1996 at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk St., Rock Springs. The Rev. Fred Wendel officiated. Military graveside services and inurnment followed in the Paul J. Wataha Memorial Park in Rock Springs.

Honorary pallbearers were Richard Canestrini, Jack Collins, Jack Penoff, Carl Bozner, Roger Gunyan, Mike Cantwell, Bill Wonnacott, Joe Georgis and the Rock Springs Firefighters Local #1499.

Brown, 59, of 421 Pine St., Rock Springs, died at 12:05 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 1995 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County where he had been a patient since Dec. 26, 1995.

A lifelong resident of Rock Springs, Brown had been in ill health for the past several years.

He was born Oct. 26, 1936 in Rock Springs, the son of David and Ethel Cook Brown. Brown attended schools in Rock Springs and was a graduate of Rock Springs High School with the class of 1954.

He married the former Pauline Velikaneye in Evanston on Dec. 4, 1958 and their marriage was blessed in April 1975 at the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Rock Springs.

Brown was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a retired firefighter who worked from 1963-1983. Brown retired as a lieutenant, having served in various capacities for the fire department as fire inspector, assistant fire chief and active fire chief. After his retirement, Brown went to work as a custodian for Dr. G.M. Harrison and Yellowstone School.

He was a member of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, the Royal Neighbors and Local 1499 of the Firefighters Union.

Brown was involved in forming the local firefighters union and he served in every office of the union. He was awarded the Firefighter of the Year Award for 1978-1979 by the Jaycees. Brown also coached the Vikings in Young American Football for many years. He enjoyed working in his garden and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline of Rock Springs; his mother, Dolly Brown of Green River; one son, David John Brown of Rock Springs; one daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Kenneth nations of Rock Springs; one brother and sister-in-law, Theodore (Teddy) and Jean Brown of Rock Springs; three granddaughters, Amanda Joy Nations, Talitha Renee Nations and Kenneah Louise Nations, all of Rock Springs; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Brown was preceded in death by his father, David Brown, who died in May of 1968.

--Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner, Jan 6, 1996

Learn more about Herbert on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/brown/herbert-james-brown.

Obituary - Pauline Mary Velikaneye Brown

Pauline Mary "Slim" Brown, 86, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County on December 26, 2025 following a lengthy illness.

Pauline was born on July 8, 1939 in Golden, Colorado to Joseph Velikaneye and Louise (Ponzi) Velikaneye. She was the oldest child, and made sure everybody knew it too. In 1942, Pauline came to Rock Springs with her family and it remained her home for the rest of her life. She was a graduate of the Rock Springs High School class of 1957, and on December 4, 1958 she married Herbert “Bert” Brown in Evanston, Wyoming. In 1960, Pauline and Bert welcomed their oldest child, a daughter named Terri, and in 1962 they welcomed their youngest child, a son named David.

Following her marriage and the birth of her children, Pauline helped care for the apartments on 2nd Street with her husband, and they were known to be great landlords who cared not only for the building, but for their tenants as well. However, her most iconic occupation was as a Lunch Monitor/Lunch Lady at Lincoln Elementary school, where she held that title from 1969 until her retirement in 2001. During her time at Lincoln she became well-loved by students and staff alike, with former students and coworkers coming up to her to share their fond memories of “Mrs. Brown” whenever she or her family were spotted out in public. Pauline was also active in the PTA at Lincoln Elementary School from 1966 to 1972, where she helped plan many fundraisers, drives, and school events.

In life, Pauline helped care for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always mentioned that caring for them kept her young and on her feet, which is something that her family believes to be true. Pauline was also a vital part of the Holy Spirit Catholic Community. She loved doing things for the church, whether it be cleaning the sanctuary, working church events, washing purifiers, or taking communion to the sick or elderly who were not able to make it to Mass. She also loved to work in her garden in the warmer months, which is something that she graciously took over for her husband following his death in 1995.

She is survived by her daughter Terri Nations (Kenneth), son David Brown (Sam), grandchildren Amanda Nations-Silva (Lester), Talitha Laughlin (Ted), Kenneah Destefanis (Cory), Andi Nations, Gage Grantham-Christman (Jeff), Roman Beck (Brie), and Harmony Smith (Sean), great-grandchildren Jayces Blatter, Liberty Destefanis, Balthazar Nations, Teagan Blatter, Zyler Destefanis, Alera Johns, Brooklynn Destefanis, Selah Johns, Lyra Beck, Rinzai Beck, Eden Smith, and Bowen Smith, her youngest brother Paul Velikaneye (Linda), as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pauline is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert “Bert” Brown, her parents Louise Myska and Joseph Velikaneye Sr., her step-father Stanley Myska, her younger brother Joseph Velikaneye Jr., younger sister Theresa Demas, and paternal and maternal grandparents.

The family respectfully requests donations be made in Pauline's memory to Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, 644 Bridger Avenue, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901 or charity of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M., Monday, January 5, 2026 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 116 Broadway Street, Rock Springs, Wyoming. Graveside Services and Interment will be in the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery.

Learn more about Pauline on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/velikaneye/pauline-mary-velikaneye.

Obituary - Emma Risdon Powell Morning

Mrs. Emma Morning, Widow of Judge, Is Dead At Steamboat

Funeral services for Mrs. Emma T. Morning, 83, widow of the late Judge Charles Morning of Routt county, will be conducted today at the Root Mortuary in Steamboat Springs, with the Rev. Burnworth officiating. Mrs. Morning, a longtime resident of Routt county died at the Steamboat Springs hospital Sunday. Interment services will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.

Mrs. Morning was born in Central City May 16, 1874. She came to Routt county with her husband in 1900, settling in Yampa. The couple later lived at Hahn's Peak and in 1912 made their final move to Steamboat Springs. Mrs. Morning is a past matron in the Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of the PEO, the Methodist church.

Surviving are one son, Morning of Los Angeles, two nieces and two nephews, Mrs. Frieda Hamburg of Vancouver, Washington, Mrs. Margaret Skinner of White Salmon, Washington, Charles Breckel of Long View, Washington and Joe Breckel of Vancouver, Washington.

--The Daily Sentinel, August 15, 1957

Learn more about Emma on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:
https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/powell/emma-risdon-powell.

Obituary - Alice Mae Powell Breckel

Mrs. Mae Breckel Dies in Vancouver.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mae Breckel, 83, Vancouver, a former Longview resident, will be held at the Knapp Funeral Home in Vancouver Wednesday at 1 p.m. Private interment services will be held at Longview Memorial Park.

Mrs. Breckel was born March 18, 1871, in Scranton, Pa. She moved to Longview in 1923 and lived here until 1931. She had lived in Vancouver since 1945. She held a lifetime membership in the Order of the Eastern Star at Longview.

Survivors include two sons, Charles, Longview and Joe, Vancouver; two daughters, Mrs. Freda B. Hamburg, Vancouver, and Mrs. Margaret Skinner, White Salmon; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Emma Morning, Steamboat Springs, Colo.

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

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

Obituary - Lucretia Smith Hughes

Death of a Well Known Lady

Mrs. Lucretia, wife of John Hughes, died in Carbondale on Thursday evening, aged 70 years. Her husband is employed as mining boss for the D. and H. C. Co. Mrs. Hughes, who was born in Aberdare, South Wales, was the mother of sixteen children, nine of whom are still living. They are as follows: Francis G., of Scranton; Elizabeth, wife of Warren Tappan, of Carbondale; Edward C., for 80 years a prominent citizen of Black Hawk, Colorado, where he has served one term as sheriff and three terms as mayor; Samuel E., traveling salesman for Levy Bros., of West Market street, George H., grocer, at 174 East Market street; William, living on Jackson street and in the employ of the L.C. and N. Co.; David F., civil engineer employed by the same company; Margaret, wife of Thomas Kirkbride, of Carbondale, and James H., outside foreman of the Keystone Coal Co.

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

https://sites.google.com/site/vanvalkenburgfamilyhistory/families/smith/lucretia-smith