From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 6, Number 48 - February 22, 2007
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Obituaries

Lance Koppenhafer

Memorial services for Lance E. Koppenhafer, 44, will be held Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Pinedale High School Auditorium.

He died February 17, 2007 in an equipment accident near Pinedale. He was born in Grants, New Mexico, December 28, 1962, to Vern J. and Anna Ruth (Semadeni) Koppenhafer. He grew up in New Mexico and Colorado breaking horses and raising cattle on the Koppenhafer Ranches.

After graduating from high school and completing mechanical vo-tech school, he moved to Green River to work in the oil fields, transferring to Pinedale in 1985. He met Lana Faler, and they were married in 1986. They had two children, Warren and Kyla, who were the delight of his life.

He quit working in the oil field and began mechanic work, opening his own shop, L K Repair, in 1988.

His passions were his family, his horses, roping, hunting and the outdoors. His hobbies at a younger age were riding bulls and rough stock. Later he enjoyed team roping which won him numerous saddles and trophies. He was very active in the Sublette County Ag Center, J.C.’s, NRCS, SCSA and USTRC.

He was a friend to all who knew him and highly admired for his unselfish contributions to the entire community. He always had a helping hand for anyone in need and will be remembered and greatly missed by one and all.

Lance is survived by his wife Lana; son Warren; daughter Kyla; his parents of Cortez, CO; brothers Vance (Maria) of Mancos, CO and Chance (Stacia) of Oxford, IA; brother-in-law Ralph Faler Jr.; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by brothers Eric and Hugh; grandparents George and Ellen Koppenhafer, and Jack and Lucile Semadeni; and step-grandmother Orpha Koppenhafer.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Bank of Pinedale, PO Box 1510, Pinedale, WY 82941, to fund a rodeo scholarship in his name.


Fred A. Freeman

Fred A. Freeman, 74, of Cora passed to his eternal home Feb. 18, 2007 while undergoing medical treatments in Bradenton, Florida.

He was born Jan. 23, 1933 in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Fred served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1953. He entered the federal prison service at Alcatraz Island in 1958 as a correctional officer, and retired in 1983 after serving at eight federal institutions.

Fred and his wife, Luanne, then moved to Daniel, Wyoming to the Fear Ranch. In 1984 Fred and Luanne moved to Cora.

Fred loved to hunt and work, with an occasional trip to see children and the country.

He is survived by Luanne, his wife of 56 years; two sons, Charles of Cora, and Fred of Houston, Texas; two daughters, June Dodd of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Patti Bernhardt of Bradenton, Florida; brothers Harry and Sam of California; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apple of his eye.

Cremation took place in Florida, and family services will be held at a later date. No local services are planned.

Remembrances may be addressed to Kickin’ Cancer of Sublette County.


Susan Chapel-White

Marbleton resident Susan Chapel-White, 47, passed away in Marbleton Monday evening February 19, 2007 after losing her battle with cancer, her family was at her side. Susan was born May 1, 1959 in Evanston to Daniel E. and Helen Chapel. A gathering to celebrate Susan’s life will be held Saturday Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Marbleton at 411 Rakestraw Ave. All of her friends and family are invited to attend. As per her wishes cremation has taken place under the direction of Covill Funeral Home.


Leda Reach

Leda I. Reach, 85, of Pinedale, Wyoming died on January 20, 2007. She was born September 21, 1921 in Rock Springs Wyoming to Andrew and Louella Hawks. She spent here life in Wyoming with her husband Harold “Babe” Reach they were married on May 2, 1942 in Rock Springs. Babe and Leda moved to Pinedale shortly after World War II. They have owned several business and ranches during their 64 years of marriage.

Funeral services will be held in Pinedale Wyoming at the St Andrew’s In the Pines Episcopal Church at 524 W. Pine on Friday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Covill Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers to be sent to 1st Bank P.O. Box 1510, Pinedale, WY 82941. The funds will be used to buy recliner chairs for the residents of the Sublette Center.

A full obituary will be printed in next week’s Examiner.

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