Marie Elizabeth Middleton

Marie Elizabeth Middleton

Funeral services for Marie Elizabeth Middleton, 95, were held June 26, 2006, at the Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel in Douglas. Reverend Dr. Robert D. Firebaugh officiated. Interment was held in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

Marie Middleton, a resident of Douglas died Thursday, June 22, 2006 at Michael Manor in Douglas.

She was born October 30, 1910, near Smith Center, Kan., with birth registry at Topeka. She was the daughter of Joseph Milton and Ella Rachel (Walden) Daniels.

When Marie was about five years old, the family moved to Wewala, S.D. In 1920 at the age of 10, she moved with her family in two covered wagons to the Cow Creek Buttes area of Wyoming, east of Bill. She started school in Douglas in 1921, and other relatives moved to the Cow Creek Buttes area and a school was started there. Marie spent nine years in school, quitting as a freshman to help at the home ranch. Marie raised a baby porcupine and many other orphaned animals over the years.

On Feb. 18, 1929, Marie married James Oscar Middleton in Lusk. The new marriage had a sad beginning when word was received that Oscar's sister, Ethel, was gravely ill. They rushed to her side, along with other family members. Ethel died of diphtheria the day after they arrived.

The wedding party members were acquainted for ten days. The newlyweds rode on horseback to Oscar's homestead, carrying all their worldly possessions with them; chickens, cats and supplies pulled by a rope sled.

In 1938, Oscar and Marie purchased their father's cattle and homestead on Middle Creek. Marie raised six children without indoor plumbing or electricity. She always loved a good card game with neighbors, square dancing, her Sagebrush Pals Homemakers Club, the First Baptist Church, her numerous family members, her many cats and a special dog named Poncho.

In later years Oscar and Marie traveled to many other countries, and to many places in the United States. After Oscar's death in 1986, she lived alone at the ranch for several years, later moving to Douglas.

She is survived by her children, Ethel M. and Jim Hoskovec of Golden, Colo., James R. and Peg Middleton of Douglas, Joe M. Middleton of Gillette, and Richard A. Middleton of Douglas; 17 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Lois Middleton; sister, Lela Pierson; brothers, Chester, Roy, Dennie, and Wayne Daniels; three grandchildren; and one great grandson. Serving as pallbearers were Kevin Russell, Tom Middleton, Travis Middleton, Jeff Middleton, Kelly Middleton, and Doug Hoskovec. Serving as honorary pallbearers were all of her grandchildren.

The family would appreciate a memorial to the Converse County Ranchers Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Converse County bank, P.O. BOX 689, Douglas, Wyoming 82633.

Goreman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas were in charge of the arrangements.

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