Ila K. Paulson

Ila K. Paulson

Funeral services for Ila K. Paulson, 91, of Casper, formerly of Lusk will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1 at the First Baptist Church in Lusk with the Rev. Tom Strock officiating. She passed away at Central Wyoming Hospice Home in Casper, Wyo. on June 25, 2000. Interment will be at the Lusk Cemetery.

She was born February 28, 1909 in a one-room cabin in the Kirtley Community, a homestead of her father Harlan Fancher and mother Josephine Fancher. Kirtley is approximately 18 miles northeast of Lusk. She attended rural schools then went to school in Lusk. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1926 and then attended the University of Wyoming. She became a teacher and taught in the Kirtley schools.

She married James. W. Paulson on October 17, 1927 in Hot Springs, S.D. She and her husband resided in the Kirtley area where they farmed and raised cattle at a small acreage formerly known as the Hamlin place until 1944. They bought a small home in Lusk so their three daughters could attend school in Lusk. In 1944 the family moved to Laramie where Ila's husband worked for AAA. Later her husband worked for the Wyoming Farm Bureau which he helped establish. They lived in Laramie until 1955 when they moved to Oregon where her husband worked for the Oregon Farm Bureau selling insurance and Ila worked in a department store.

In 1959 they moved to Denver, Colo., after her husband suffered a heart attack. Ila purchased a Mode O' Day dress shop in Denver. Ila sold her store in 1963 and then worked for Joslin's Department Store until her retirement. Her husband died in February 1970. In 1974, Ila bought a home in Lusk and resided there until January 1998 when she moved to Casper to live in an assisted living home to be near her daughter and other relatives.

Ila was very active in her 27 years in Lusk. She belonged to the Divide Tumble weed Homemakers Club and played pinochle several times a month. She was hostess to many gatherings of family and friends. She was an excellent cook all her life. She enjoyed working in her yard and garden. She loved to sew and crochet.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, one sister Florence Sides Vaughn and two brothers Frank W. Fancher and Harry C. Fancher. She had five brothers and sisters who died in infancy. Survivors include one brother Floyd Fancher of Seattle, Wash., three daughters and their husbands, Mary Jo and Gene Lewan of Longmont, Colo.; Dorothy and Bill Harrison of Casper, Wyo., Louanne and Earl Handley of Wilmington, Del. Other survivors include 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandson and two great-great-grandchildren.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to the Central Wyoming Hospice Home, 319 S. Wilson Casper, Wy. 82601 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home of Lusk is in charge of arrangements.

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