Verla Etchemendy

Death Notice - Verla Bartos Etchemendy

Verla Bartos Etchemendy, 72, of Lost Springs, Wyo. passed away at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Lusk at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, with burial in the Lusk Cemetery. A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Pier Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

The Lusk Herald
January 5, 2011
Verla Etchemendy

Verla Etchemendy, 72, of Lost Springs, Wyo., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper after a brave, long battle with Leukemia.

Verla Bartos Etchemendy was born July 7, 1938 at her grandparents, Joe and Minnie Bartos' home in rural Lost Springs. Along with her family, they moved to the Freeman place north of Keeline. At age two years they moved to the Horris Nelson place, also north of Keeline. This was her home until her marriage.

Verla attended grade school in Keeline. She attended Manville High School her freshman and sophomore years, and then to the consolidated N.C.H.S. for Junior and Senior years, graduating in 1956, receiving the Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. She worked for Mike Cork at McKnight Bakery for one year and lived with Grandpa Joe. The following year she attended Chadron State College.

In June 1958 Verla married Prosper Etchemendy at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Lusk. They lived at his parents' ranch north of Lost Springs until they purchased the Eutsler place from Harry Brown in 1961 and moved there. Verla drove the school bus from there to the highway, picking up Dave Stallman and Kelly and Brad Coffey. Her children attended Lance Creek School.

In the fall of 1975 Verla and Prosper purchased the Henry and Sophie Klemke place north of Lusk. Verla loved that place, but in 1981 they were able to expand with the purchase of the Fred Meinzer ranch north of Lost Springs. After Mike graduated in 1982 they built a home there and retained the other ranches and worked together to make a great working ranch raising sheep and cattle. They purchased her parents' place in 2001.

Verla joined the Keeline 5280 Club in 1961 and has held every office several times. She also was a member and secretary of Niobrara Homemakers Council. She has been an active member of St. Leo's Catholic Church and Casper Deanery. She was also a member of the Pioneer Association Board. Verla has led the rosary before Sunday Mass since 1992. She was a member of Niobrara Alumni board for six years, and organized the 40, 45 & 50 year class reunions for her class. She was also a member of the Pioneer Association Board.

She had a passion for dancing, cooking/baking and gardening. She will be missed by so many family and friends and all who were blessed by her beautiful smile.

Verla loved her family and her God and had great faith that sustained her through tough times.

Prosper and Verla celebrated their 40th anniversary in 1998, renewing their wedding vows at a Mass followed by a reception and dance at Lost Springs Hall - the place where they met. In 2008 they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Verla is survived by her husband Prosper of 52 years; loving children, daughters Shanale Phipps of Modesto, Calif.; Michelle and husband Dee Zimmerman of Harrison, Neb.; son Mike Etchemendy and his wife Bonny of Victor, Idaho; seven grandchildren: James and Ryan Ahrenholtz, Rachel and Nicole Etchemendy, Kyra Baversachs, and Brooke and Kelsey Proulx; very special great-grandchildren Bryce, Rylee, Kaden, Lanie, Isaac, Addisyn, Hunter, and latest addition Andrew, whom she anxiously awaited to meet at Christmas; sister Sheryl Jugler and her husband Gene of Rock Springs, Wyo.; brother-in-law Chief Longbone of Strasbrug, Colo.; special niece, Tami Longbone and Linnie Sherick; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends Carol Geisinger, Cathy Brillhart, and Dixie Felipe .

She was preceded in death by her brother Gary in 1968 and her nephew Jeff Jugler in 1969, her dad Floyd Bartos in 1988, mother Esther Bartos in 2002, sister Gwen Longbone in 2007, and special uncles Floyd, Oscar, Leo and Alvin.

She will be remembered for her love for her grandchildren and the elderly.

Rosary was recited at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Lusk Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at St. Leo's Catholic Church. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory. Memorial donations to the Niobrara Alumni Assoc. can be c/o The Verla Etchemendy Scholarship Fund PO Box 763, Lusk, WY 82225.

Pier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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