Obituaries

Louann Schramm

Louann Schramm, 58, of Rock Springs passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at her home. A longtime resident of Rock Springs and former resident of Casper, Lander and Rawlins, Mrs. Schramm had been in ill health for the past four years.

She was born on Dec. 1, 1944, in Rock Springs, the daughter of Lewis Groshel and Ann Sikich.

Mrs. Schramm attended schools in Rock Springs and was a graduate of Rock Springs High School with the class of 1963.

She married Donald Schramm on July 23, 1966, in Pinedale.

Mrs. Schramm was a homemaker and an Avon representative for 18 years, retiring in 1999. She was a member of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, S.N.P.J. Lodge No. 267, was a Sweetwater County election judge and belonged to various quilting and sewing clubs, including Sweetwater Piece Markers and Cross Stitch Club in Rock Springs.

Her interests included quilting, sewing, needlework, cooking, housekeeping, boating, camping, and most important, spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Don Schramm of Rock Springs; her mother, Ann Groshel of Rock Springs; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Arlene Schramm of Alpharetta, Ga., son, Kenny Schramm, and wife, Sharon, of Laramie; daughter, Kimberly Becvar, and husband, Anthony, of Tacoma, Wash.; brother-in-law, Gary Schramm, and wife, Hilde, of Alpharetta; two grandchildren, Kennedy Schramm of Laramie and Caleb Becvar of Tacoma; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lewis Groshel, paternal grandfather, Anton Groshel, paternal grandmother, Ursula Groshel Petrovich, and her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary Knezvich Sikich.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Rock Springs. Father Jan Santich officiated.

The family suggests that donations in her memory be made to Cowboy's Against Cancer, c/o Margaret Parry, P.O. Box 103, Green River, Wyo., 82935 or the Cancer Society of your choice.

Russ Lee

Russ Lee was born in Rawlins on Dec. 10, 1950, and passed away Sept. 20, 2003, in Phoenix, Ariz.

Russ attended school in Pinedale, graduating from high school in 1969. He attended Casper College and Chabot College in California. He then moved to Arizona.

Russ is survived by his parents, Bob and Pauline Lee of Pinedale; a brother, Ron Lee, and his family of Bloomsbury, N.J.; an uncle; two aunts and several cousins.

A memorial service for Russ will be held at a later date.

Leonard Hay

Leonard Hay was born Oct. 12, 1914, in Rock Springs. He was the eighth child of John W. Hay and Mary Blair Hay. He graduated from Rock Springs High School and briefly attended the University of Washington and University of Wyoming. Upon leaving school he returned home to manage both Blair and Hay Land and Livestock and the Bar X Sheep ranches until 1947, when he acquired the Bar X. Leonard raised sheep until 1971 when he converted to cattle ranching. In 1941 he married Frae Ellery, an attorney from Cheyenne. Frae preceded him in death on Oct. 4, 1996.

Leonard learned to fly in 1936 and continued to fly for the next 63 years. He was active in starting Civil Air Patrol schools to train pilots during World War II. In addition to his ranching and flying interests, Leonard was active in natural gas exploration and drilling in the Baggs, Wamsutter and Pinedale areas. He was instrumental in developing the first producing wells in the Pinedale area, having held leases in the area for over 30 years.

Leonard was a member of the Wyoming Stock Growers and Wyoming Wool Growers. He served on the Bureau of Land Management Advisory Board for many years. He also served on the board of directors of the Rock Springs Grazing Association and served as president from 1994 until this past summer. In addition, he was a member of the Petroleum Association and the Rock Spring BPOE.

He was a tireless promoter of free enterprise and loved his High Desert community. He was generous to the less fortunate.

Leonard took great pride in maintaining his property in excellent condition. He resided at 102 3rd Street in Rock Springs for over 55 years. This home was built by his maternal grandfather, Archibald Blair, one of the earliest residents of Blairtown.

He is survived by his daughters, Susan H. Bell and Mary Hay, and four grandsons, Jason and Eban Bell and Archie and Tom Chant.

At his request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to your charity would be Leonard's wish.