Cecil Butler Kaan

Cecil Butler Kaan

Masonic graveside services will be held Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Lusk Cemetery for Cecil Butler Kaan, who died January 4th, 2011. The service will be followed by a gathering and coffee at his house in Lusk.

Cecil was born December 10th, 1926 in Lusk, the son of Menno and Mable Butler Kaan. He attended school in Node and Lusk, near the family ranch. He was a rancher his entire life until his retirement, when he moved "to town." While in high school, Cecil joined the Merchant Marines for a brief period, and then returned to Lusk to finish his education. After graduation, he joined the Army and spent his enlistment in occupied Japan. Immediately following his discharge in June of 1947, he married Emily Jane Mangus, the daughter of Clarence and Lola Matter Mangus.

He enjoyed a variety of activities, including rodeo in his youth. He was active in the 4-H program for 16 years, holding numerous positions at the county and state level, most notably the Livestock Committee Chairman for the Wyoming State 4-H Leaders' Council. The highlight of his 4-H participation was being selected as a chaperone of the Wyoming contingent to the 51st National 4-H Congress in Chicago. He was passionate about the angus cattle breed, having traveled to Scotland to import choice bulls for the Kaan Angus Ranch, and he was a member of the American Angus Association. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 58 years, and was a Master Mason in the Harmony Lodge in Lusk.

In his retirement years, his greatest joy was golfing with his buddies and having morning coffee with his friends at The Outpost cafe.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, two brothers, Gordon and Lawrence, and his sister Jantine. He is survived by his son and daughter: Richard Kaan and Janet Cunningham; four grandchildren: Marcus Cunningham, Marci Cunningham (Schnieders), Amanda Kaan, and Jennifer Kaan (Van Dyke); three great-grandchildren: Emmalyn Schnieders, Jackson Schnieders, and baby Charlotte Cunningham; and two sisters: Bonnie Thomas and Shirley Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and contributions should be made to the Lusk Senior Citizen Center.

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