Obituaries

Louie Tomassi

Louie Tomassi

Louie Tomassi of Big Piney, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2008. His loving family surrounded him. Louie was born in Dawson, New Mexico on November 6, 1923. He joined the Air Force at an early age and worked in Medical Evacuation. On June 15, 1944, he married Emma Mae Palcher in Raton, New Mexico and they were married for 65 years.

Louie began his career as a coal miner in Raton and moved to Rock Springs in 1946. When the mines closed, he was employed by Baker Oil. In 1954-55, he worked for Delgado Oil in Pinedale and Big Piney. In spite of having just an eighth-grade education, Louie was an entrepreneur who used his instincts to begin many successful businesses.

He started with a grocery store in Rock Springs, then Big Piney, owned a supper club, a motel, a bowling alley, several other businesses and in 1974, built E&L Motors and Luigi’s Supper Club in Kemmerer. He was also a political influence in Sublette County and the State, as he was a member of many commissions, serving two terms as County Commissioner and five terms as a Wyoming State Legislator.

Louie was so proud of his family, especially his loving wife, Emma who remains in Big Piney. He leaves two sons and their spouses, Vince and Mary Louise Tomassi and Tony and Kathy Tomassi, both of Kemmerer and his daughter and her husband, Louann and Tom Heydt of Big Piney. Louie had five grandchildren, Chris and Kiley Tomassi and Luigi Heydt and his wife, Renee, and Zach and Vincent Heydt. He has two great-grandchildren, Natalie and Emily Heydt.

Louie has one brother, Johnny Tarufelli, and four sisters, Lena Krist, Margie Buchko, Gloria Burns, and Marie Bertagnolli. Three brothers, Carlo, Nello and Ginesio and his mother and father, Vincenzo and Maria Tomassi, preceded Louie in death. Also, his stepmother Palmina Tomassi preceded him.

Father Lucas Simango recited the Rosary at St. Anne’s Catholic Church at 7:00 pm on Tuesday November 18 in Big Piney. Funeral services were held at 11:00 am at the Fine Arts Center in Big Piney, Wyoming, followed by a lunch at the Big Piney Senior Citizens Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Big Piney Senior Citizens Center or the Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center.

Lawrence Woodrow Shaul

Lawrence Woodrow Shaul

Lawrence Woodrow Shaul, 93, passed away Tuesday morning November 11th 2008 in Rock Springs. He was born September 26, 1915 to Clarence and Estella Shaul in Wood Lake, Nebraska. He lived his childhood years in Wood Lake and graduated from Wood Lake High School.

Lawrence’s father passed away when he was only thirteen years of age, so one can say he was a working man the rest of his working life. After his Dad’s passing Lawrence and his Mother worked on the family ranch located in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

Lawrence attended Norfolk Business College for one year; during that time he sold vacuum cleaners to help pay for his tuition. At the age of eighteen Lawrence moved to Wyoming and one might say he was a Wyomingite the rest of his life. He made a living working many different jobs some of which included timbering and working in the sawmills. He worked as a guide on the Flying A Dude Ranch and later in life guided fishermen and hunters. He drove a grader on the county roads and also plowed snow for the Wyoming Highway Dept. between Boulder and the Hoback Basin. However out of all the jobs he worked, Lawrence was a rancher at heart!

In approximately 1939 Lawrence found the love of his life; he married Vivian Johnson on October 1, 1940. At that time Lawrence was driving truck for Murphy’s Hardware in Pinedale. On a trip to Salt Lake City for the store he took his “bride to be” with him and they were married along the way in Evanston, Wyoming.

Lawrence was drafted after three years of marriage into the United States Navy. He was a veteran of WWII and served in the Philippines.

In 1952 Lawrence and Vivian bought the Charlie Howell Ranch near Green River, Wyoming from Vivian’s parents. In 1954 they moved to Daniel to run the N-4 Ranch for his aunt and later purchased it in 1960. Lawrence was considered by his neighboring ranchers to be one they could always count on for help. In 1969 Lawrence and Vivian sold the ranch and bought a home in Pinedale. During the summer they enjoyed the beautiful days in Pinedale, and in the winter they went south to Hurricane, Utah to enjoy less snow and more sun.

He is survived by his wife Vivian, half sister Stella Boswell, son Alvin (Pamela) Shaul of Randolph, UT; daughters Florence (Bob) Beard of Daniel, WY; and Melba (Jody) Schrock of Rock Springs, WY; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held Saturday November 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Covill Funeral Home in Pinedale. Interment followed in the Pinedale Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sublette Center & Home Health Care, PO Box 788, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941.

Laura K. Linn

Laura K. Linn

Laura K. Linn, 50, of Evanston, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at her home. She was born June 17, 1958, in Glendale, Calif., a daughter to Roger Charles and Darlene Kay (Haigwood) White.

From the start she had a heart of gold, and everyone knew it.

Laura married Charles Linn on Oct. 17, 1987, in Lake Tahoe, Nev. For years she worked as an insurance agent and later began a job at the Uinta County Assessor’s office, a job she truly loved. She later became the Deputy Assessor. Laura was beautiful on the inside and out and everyone enjoyed being in her presence.

She was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. She belonged to the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Eagles Lodge.

She enjoyed camping, music, cooking and most of all spending time with family. She dearly loved her cats, Stanley and Oliver.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Linn, Evanston; two daughters, Jessica Whinnery, Pinedale; Nicole Linn, Evanston; a brother, Curtis White, Evanston; and two sisters, Kim Schell, Umatilla, Ore., and Sherida Schell, Richland, Wash. She also leaves behind her father and mother-in-law, Bob and Helena Linn, Big Piney, and many nieces and nephews. Besides her family, she leaves behind her beloved coworkers with whom she shared many treasured memories and years of support.

She was preceded in death by her father Roger Charles White, her mother Darlene Kay Schell and her stepfather Robert Schell.

A Rosary was recited on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church; visitation followed. Mass was celebrated on Th ursday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. also at the church. Interment followed at the Evanston City Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home.

Contributions in her memory may be donated to the Wyoming Diabetic Association or the Humane Society.

Michael R. Nystrom

Michael R. Nystrom

Long-time resident, Michael R. Nystrom, 70, passed away Nov. 18 at his home at Boulder Lake. He was born in Berkeley, Calif., and lived in Durham, Calif., until moving his family to Boulder in 1965.

He was co-owner in Boulder Lake Lodge, White Pine and was a real estate broker. His true love was the mountains and his life in Wyoming.

He especially loved his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Donna; son Mike (Margie) Nystrom of Cora; son Greg (Dari) Nystrom of Oregon; daughter, Michelle (Lonnie) Taylor of Texas and daughter Lisa Green of Texas. Survivors also include his grandchildren Kelli Ann, Brandon, Alex, Quinton, Brandon and Jasmyn and a brother, John (Peggy) Nystrom of Alabama.

Cremation has taken place and the family wishes that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a scholarship fund at Pinedale High School (Box 549) in his name or to the McKenzie Meningitis Foundation (Box 1368) both located in Pinedale, WY.

A BBQ will be held next summer with his friends and family and services will take place at a later date.