Grace Elaine Graves Lancaster

Grace Elaine Graves Lancaster

Grace Elaine Graves Lancaster, age 76, died on April 26, 2009 in her home after a lengthy bout of COPD. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday April 29 at 2 p.m. at Pier Funeral Home.

Elaine was born on May 1, 1932 in Spearfish, South Dakota to Clarence and Alberta Mann. She was raised in the Boles Canyon area near Newcastle, Wyo., and also spent some time living in the Custer State Park when her dad worked as a fire look-out. Elaine graduated from Newcastle High School with the class of 1950. She married Robert Graves on July 9, 1953 and together they raised five children, first living in Osage, then transferring to Lance Creek and finally retiring in Lusk, Wyo. Bob and Elaine enjoyed fishing, playing cards, bowling, dancing and laughing with friends for over 40 years.

Elaine was active in the Lance Creek and Lusk communities over her lifetime. She was a substitute cook at the Lance Creek School. She belonged to the Gumbo Hustlers Homemakers Club in Lance Creek, where she helped organize community Thanksgiving dinners, Halloween parties and created numerous county fair booths over the years. She volunteered as an election board clerk for many elections. She won an award for her fundraising efforts with the American Cancer Society. She attended home Bible studies with members of the Lance Creek Community Church and was baptized in the Guernsey Reservoir. The organization Elaine belonged to and was most proud of was the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Does Drove #64, where she helped with many fundraising dinners, performed in flag ceremonies, and delivered coffee and supplies to the VA hospital in Hot Springs, SD. She recently received a lifetime membership from the Does.

Elaine married Robert Lancaster on June 26, 1996. They shared a love for traveling, highlighted by their trips to New York state and New Hampshire to meet Bob's family and friends, and where they experienced the sights of New York City together. Bob introduced her to NASCAR, motorcycle racing and cheering for the New York Giants. In return, she took him camping and shared her favorite fishing spots. Elaine enjoyed viewing the Rawhide Buttes and various forms of wildlife from her back patio, and she loved watching old Western movies.

Elaine is survived by her husband Bob Lancaster; her daughters--Karen Stroh of North Platte, Neb., Donna (Ron) Meier of Lakewood, Colo. and Terri (John) Hovis of Gilbert, Ariz.; her sons--Stan (Lil) Graves of Brigham City, UT and Bill (Renee) Graves of Hot Springs, SD; 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two nephews and one niece, and four step children--Kurt, Robert, Tracy and Eric Lancaster. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, her husband, Bob Graves, and two grandsons, Tyler Stubby and Steve Graves.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a donation be given in her honor to the Lusk B.P.O. Elks Veteran's Fund or the Does Chairlift Fund @ P.O. Box 897 Lusk, Wyoming 82225.

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