The following obituaries appeared in the September 11, 2024 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Billie Nield
Billie Renee Cazier Nield, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away at the Star Valley Care Center in Afton, Wyoming on September 4, 2024, from complications of a stroke. Billie was 92 years old.
Born in Afton, Wyoming on March 20, 1932, Mom was the youngest child of Earl and Fannie Blacker Cazier. Mom cherished her parents and siblings: Dona, Dora, Ireta, Paul, Marveline, Quinn and LueDene. They were her lifelong friends. Mom was raised on a farm on Nield String in Afton. She learned to work, cook, clean, sew and enjoy family life. Her family meant everything to her.
Mom married her sweetheart, LaRoyce Nield, on November 1, 1950, dad’s 20th birthday. He always said that mom was his best birthday present. Mom loved Dad’s family as much as her own. She was a devoted wife who kept her fun-loving, jokester husband in line. Together, Billie and LaRoyce had six children: Cleve, Judy, Jed, Renee, Jill, and Loyce. To date, they have 11 children including spouses, 48 grandchildren, 87 great grandchildren and 24 great-great grandchildren which brings their posterity to 170. Mom and Dad loved each one of us with all their hearts.
Mom was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She learned early in life to trust and have faith in Jesus Christ. Life brought trials that tested her faith, but she remained strong. She was an example of what it means to love her Heavenly Father and His Son. She served in various callings throughout her life, including working with the youth, Primary and Relief Society President, serving as an ordinance worker with Dad for ten years in the Idaho Falls Temple. Serving in the nursery with Dad was one her favorite callings. Mom often showed her love to family, friends and all who knew her through the quilts she made, meals, candy and treats. She loved easily and found immense joy in serving others.
To her family, and those she loved as her own, “Grandma Billie” will forever remain the loving mother and grandmother who taught them how to love, laugh and count their many blessings.
Mom is survived by her four daughters: Judy Sokol (Joe) of West Bountiful, Utah, Renee Parker (Dave) and Jill Jenkins (Earl) of Afton, Wyoming, Loyce Bowman (Tom) of Layton, Utah. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Marie Nield (Jed), her sister LueDene Jenkins of Afton, Wyoming and her sister-in-law Artis Walton of Shelley, Idaho.
She was preceded in death by her husband H. LaRoyce Nield, sons Cleve C. and Jed C. Nield, parents, Earl and Fannie Blacker Cazier, parents-in-law Seth Horace and Vietta Bruce Nield. Additionally, her brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul (Lois) and Quinn (Elaine) Cazier, her sisters and brothers-in-law Dona Tolman (Bish), Dora Perry (Yates), Ireta Kennington (Neal), Marveline Jenkins (Ace), Ruel Jenkins.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in the Salt River Ward Chapel in Afton, Wyoming. A viewing will take place on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Schwab Mortuary in Afton and from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church.
Lachelle Boettcher
Lachelle Emerson Boettcher passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on September 1, 2024. Born on January 16, 1950, in Pasadena, California, Lachelle brought a spirit of compassion, generosity, and humor into the world.
As a young girl, Lachelle grew up in São Paulo, Brazil, where she became fluent in Portuguese and developed a lifelong love for the language and culture. She was also proud of her Wyoming roots and cowgirl upbringing; Lachelle was the granddaughter of a Wyoming rancher and Wyoming Governor Frank Emerson. She pursued her education at the University of Wyoming and the University of Northern Colorado.
Lachelle was a devoted wife and homemaker, embracing these roles with unwavering pride. Her home was a sanctuary of love, laughter, and open arms, offering the warmth and care of her super mom heart to all who entered. Alongside her husband, Richard, she played an integral role in building their family’s insurance business, which faithfully served the communities of Rock Springs and Pinedale, Wyoming, for over 40 years. After retiring in 2019, Lachelle and Richard split their time between their homes in Thayne, Wyoming, and Mesquite, Nevada.
Lachelle’s passions were as varied as they were deep. She found joy in helping others, treasure hunting at garage sales, fossil hunting, golfing, cheering for the Wyoming Cowboys, traveling the world, and above all, treasuring time spent with family, friends, her beloved dogs, and her Lord. A true prayer warrior, she devoted much of her time to praying for others. Lachelle was also an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1996, serving as President of Chapter BC, and proudly wore the red hat as part of the Sage Brush Dollies Red Hatters in Rock Springs, WY.
Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her. Lachelle was a true friend, a cherished companion whose infectious laughter and gentle spirit will be deeply missed.
Lachelle is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Richard Boettcher, Jr.; her mother-in-law, Irene Boettcher; her loving children, Ryan Boettcher, Scott Boettcher (Nicole), and Lyndsey Wellens (Brad); her five treasured grandchildren, Blake Emerson Boettcher, Irie Boettcher, Teagan Boettcher, Brooks Wellens, and Lewis Emerson Wellens; and her dear sister, Caron DeMars. She is now joyfully reunited in heaven with her parents, Eugene and Mildred Emerson, and her father-in-law, Richard Boettcher, Sr.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Bible Church in Thayne, Wyoming. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed at EBCSV.com.
In keeping with her commitment to education and helping others, Lachelle was a devoted participant in P.E.O., an organization dedicated to raising funds for the education of women worldwide. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lachelle can be made to the Program for Continuing Education project with P.E.O. Donations can be sent to P.E.O. Chapter BC, c/o Pam Ostdahl at PO Box 326. Rock Springs, WY 82902.
Though her time with us feels too short, Lachelle’s life was rich with love, laughter, and service. We invite you to celebrate her life by sharing your memories, stories, and photos on her memorial page at www.myers-mortuary.com.
Arrangement entrusted to Myers Ogden Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah.
Kathy Sadler
It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Kathleen (Kathy) Sadler (Brown) in Denton, Texas on Sunday, August 11, 2024. She was born in Afton, Wyoming to William Kenneth Brown and Anis Hepworth Brown (Larson) on June 18, 1941. She was preceded in death by: Husband Ralph William Karcher. Parents: William Kenneth and Anis Hepworth (Larson) Brown. Brother: Kent Brown.
Kathy is survived by: Children, Kenneth (Tamie) Nelson, Darren Nelson, Karen Johnston and Lanice Galloway. Grandchildren: Sharae (Kolby) Tucker/Bering, Breanna (Joseph) Peterson, William Johnston, Kyle Johnston and Megan Galloway. Great Grandchild: Luke Peterson. Brother : Rex (Kathy) Brown.
Kathy grew up in Star Valley, Wyoming, learning all aspects of farm life. She was strong in mind, body, and spirit, raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She instilled her values, independence, and work ethic into her children and grandchildren. Her varied career paths were a testament to her talent, grit, and resilience. After graduating high school, she moved to California where she trained at Western Union and worked as a Teletypist. Years later, while raising four children, she started Sadler’s Saddle Shop, where she made and repaired saddles and tack. Her children enjoyed playing in the shop with scraps of leather, leather tools, and stamps. Years later, she retired the shop and worked for Rancho Safari, which made archery equipment. Again, she learned all aspects of the business from purchasing, material cutting, and commercial sewing to assembly, packing, and shipping. She also worked as a sales associate at Coronet. There was hardly a thing she could not do once she set her mind to it.
After retirement, she moved to Krum, Texas to live near her two sons.
Kathy made friends easily. She was always quick with compliments and questions to get a conversation started. She had compassion for older people living alone. She often befriended them and would help them with house work or other things even in the midst of raising her children. She would give someone her last dollar if they needed it. If you had a birthday or anniversary coming up, you could be sure to expect one of her Ecards with a personal note.
Anyone who knew Kathy knew she was an artist at heart. She could spend copious amounts of time at art shows or museums. She pursued drawing and painting classes which allowed her to produce paintings that the whole family could enjoy. She spent time with her children and grandchildren teaching them how to paint, sew, crochet and appreciate art in various forms.
Kathy was meticulous about journaling, even if it meant squeezing paragraphs into small calendar boxes that included names, places, and weather stats. If pictures were shared with her that did not contain ALL details, she would reply with a myriad of questions…and possibly a lecture about providing such details and how important it is to document things. She may have missed her calling as a Historian. In her own right, she was just that for her family. The sheer volume of pictures, photo albums, scrap books, newspaper clippings, journals, and family history documents are a testament to that.
Kathy would often comment on how she has traveled the world through her TV while watching travel shows. She may have convinced some that it’s the way to go! She did, however, have her own epic travel events in her life that she loved. Her oldest son, Ken, took her around areas of Europe. She also participated in a Mormon Trail reenactment with her brother, Rex, and many others.
It would be remiss if it was not mentioned that she loved antiques and anything turquoise or purple.
Kathy was deeply loved by family and friends and will be dearly missed.
