Signild "Peggy" Joss

Signild "Peggy" Joss

Funeral services for Signild "Peggy" Joss, 86, of Douglas, Wyo., will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, March 10, 1993, at the Congregational Church of Christ in Douglas with Rev. Merrill Lanker officiating. Interment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

She died Saturday, March 6, 1993, at the Converse County Memorial Hospital in Douglas.

She was born Oct. 17, 1906 in Kiruna, Sweden, first born daughter of Nels Johan and Aasta Sofia Aas Ohrvall. Her father became ill with tuberculosis and traveled to the United States for medical treatment and betterment of life. She traveled with her mother, brother, John, and sister, Ragnil Marie, leaving from Liverpool with her family on Oct. 12, 1910, traveling to the United States, when Peggy was four years old.

She and her family settled in Laramie, Wyo., where she attended public schools until her teen years. At this time she took a summer job in Niobrara County working for the Bedford and Birdsall families. She loved the area and moved to Manville, boarding with the Sharp family and attended the Manville High School. She completed high school in Manville, graduating as Valedictorian in 1926. She was presented with an Honorary Lifetime Scholarship from the University of Wyoming on July 19, 1926. She received her four year degree in education within two years, graduating with honors.

Returning to Niobrara and Converse Counties, she taught school for many years. At this time she met Arthur Gerald Joss. They were married in Wheatland, Wyo., on Aug. 7, 1927. In the year 1930 they homesteaded at the 20 mile ranch in a cabin west of Lance Creek. She and her husband resided and ranched in Niobrara and Converse Counties for more than 50 years.

From their union, two children were born, Arthur Samuel "Artie" and Shelly Marlene. In December 1944, Peggy and Art purchased a home in Douglas at which time two more children joined Peggy and Art's family, Philip George Joss and Sandra Kay Joss. Peggy was an astute business woman and civic leader. She was the first woman to serve on the Converse County School Board. She was also presented with a Kiwanis Club Honor. Her prime focus was on education.

She loved children, serving as Girl Scout Leader and often as chaperon to various ball games. She loved golf and she and Art enjoyed the golf courses in Douglas and at their residence in Palm Desert, Calif. She was an avid hunter and fisherman. They loved travel and traveled worldwide.

In addition to her husband, survivors include Artie Joss of Keeline, Shelley Coffey of Manville, Phil Joss of Lusk and Sandra Beghtol of Longmont, Colo.; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Greg Joss, Mark Joss, Dirk Joss, Marty Joss, Brad Coffey, Trey Beghtol, Shawn Hall and Marty Beasley.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all of her many friends.

Memorials may be made to the Signild "Peggy" Joss Memorial Fund in care of the Converse County Bank, P.O. Drawer 689, Douglas, Wyo. 82633 or a memorial to the choice of the donor.

The Converse Funeral Chapel of Douglas is in charge of arrangements.

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