The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the December 17, 2025 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

Elaine Hunsaker

Irene Elaine Casperson Hunsaker, daughter of John Eliot and Theomae Hathaway Casperson, passed away in Logan, Utah on December 11, 2025, of natural causes at the age of 90. She was born in Clifton, Idaho on November 14, 1935.

Elaine was the oldest daughter in a family of nine children and, from a very young age, was a fireball. She was often found climbing trees, shimmying across barn rafters, and running around with the boys in the neighborhood. The only thing that seemed to slow her down was a heart condition when she was 5 years old that was miraculously healed in the Cardston, Alberta Temple.

Elaine was involved in gymnastics, choir, and cheerleading in high school and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1955. She met Kent Hunsaker at a local church dance while he was visiting for a church basketball championship. They were married March 19, 1955, and were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 24, 1955.

Kent and Elaine moved to Ephraim where Kent played football their first year of marriage. Their daughter Eileen was born in March of 1956. Kent and Elaine then lived in Brigham City for about 15 years, where their daughter Michelle was born and their son Stephen joined their family. After they moved back to Smoot, their son Joseph joined their family.

Elaine had many talents and gifts. She was a teacher at the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, earned a teaching degree from Utah State, and was a teacher in Grays Lake, Idaho.

Elaine had a huge heart; she was always looking out for those who needed help, love, or a place to stay. She was a talented quilter, made beautiful, hemstitched baby blankets, and crocheted thousands of towels and scrubbers, most of which she gave away to family, friends, and even strangers. She was a woman of generosity, kindness, and compassion, especially for the underdog. She was known for her fry bread, homemade chicken noodle soup, and homemade bread and jam.

Elaine also loved a challenge. She often said, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” and “The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t.” There wasn’t much she was afraid to do, including remodeling houses, reconstructing rock walls, and fixing just about anything. She loved driving fast, even though she had to sit on phone books and attach pieces of wood to the gas and brakes so she could reach them. She also owned or ran many businesses over the years – including a hair salon, a barter business in Logan, and a bait business up in Star Valley.

Elaine loved gardening, mowing her lawn, cutting and hauling wood, and going camping in her fifth-wheel or motorhome. From the time she was young, Elaine rode horses. She trained and broke many horses throughout her lifetime. There wasn’t much she loved more than being out on a horse. She loved dogs and raised and bred many beautiful German shepherds over the years.

She loved Saturday morning yard sales and seeing how cheap she could get stuff. Elaine also loved Christmas. She made her home a magical place for her children and grandchildren with a beautiful, flocked Christmas tree and an amazing display of Christmas lights every year. She may have been small, but everything she did was larger than life.

Elaine is survived by her children Eileen (Alan), Michelle, and Stephen (Michelle), her grandchildren Ryan (Faylene), Tyson (Hayley), Brandon (Katie), Shawn (Amber), Shalynn, Toran, Coriann, Lee (Amy), Teri (Beau), Riley (Ben), Kasey (Sarina), Katelyn (Neal), Stephen (Brooke), Chelsea (Emilio), Kaylee (Caleb), TJ, McKenzie (Alex), Lindsay, Joshua, Joseph, Annalise, Elisabeth, and Austin, Tanner, Greyson, and Tennyson (children of her son Joseph Hunsaker (deceased) and Tina Hunsaker), and 50 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters NaDean Bartschi, Tara Jackson, and Linda Crapo.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Kent Hunsaker, her parents, Eliot and Theo Mae Casperson, her brothers Eric Casperson, Eliot Casperson, Lee Casperson, Glen Casperson, Arlin Casperson, and her son Joseph Kent Hunsaker.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 19, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Smoot Ward building, 3166 State Hwy 241, Afton, Wyoming. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Mollie Bonner

Mollie Marie Howard entered this life June 27, 1940 in Dehaven Place, Sioux County, Nebraska. She was the second daughter in a family of three girls born to Ruth Soper and Leslie “Jim” Howard. Her older sister was Patricia Ruth, the younger Rebecca Sue.

Mollie attended elementary in a county school in Sioux County Nebraska and high school in Harrison Nebraska. She received training in a normal school after high school graduation. Mollie then taught in a small county school from 1957 to 1959. During this period she met and married Ralph “Butch” Bonner. Later that year they went to work for the Wyoming Fish and Game Department, and moved to Speas Station. In 1961 they moved to the Auburn Fish Hatchery. They were there until 1966 when they relocated to the Ten Sleep, Wyoming Hatchery for seven years. In 1973 they returned to the Auburn location and worked for another 19 years retiring in 1994 near Afton, Wyoming. Butch and Mollie had three children, Leslie Ann, Wade Allen, and Jessica Ruth. Mollie had an eye for beauty and her home was lovely. Mollie was a vibrant active individual. She did cross country skiing and always walked. She was engaged with her environment and her neighbors. She was a beautiful, modest and humble woman who cared and loved fiercely. She spread her caring not only to her family but through her church and community. When they came to the Auburn Fish Hatchery, Verd and Patricia Erickson and Boyd and Maureen Richins helped them unload their belongings. They became lifelong friends. Mollie was a faithful and dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in several Relief Society Presidencies. She worked with Shirley Taylor, Patricia Erickson and Lawanna Campbell. Butch referred to them as the “four musketeers. They enjoyed great friendships and good times. Shirley would have a brainstorm about some upcoming event and Mollie would respond

“Shirley, that is just great, just don’t put me in charge.”

None the less, Mollie was fun loving, joyous and a hard worker. She was great to be around. Approximately 30 years ago while in Nebraska for a high school reunion, Mollie suffered a major stroke. This was a hugely life-changing event. Mollie endured this situation with her patient grace, attended to by her loving, loyal devoted husband. What an amazing partner. She spent several years as a resident of Legacy Homes in Thayne, to ensure she received the careful attention Butch felt she needed. He visited Mollie almost every day.

Butch and Mollie lost both of their sweet daughters to cancer. First Jessica in 2010 and then Leslie on October 4, 2025 This affected Mollie greatly and she missed and mourned Jessica every day, then the tragedy of losing Leslie. One can only imagine the fabulous, joyous Thanksgiving morning reunion on the other side of the veil. Rest in peace dear Mollie, you are loved.

Mollie is survived by her husband, Ralph “Butch” Bonner, her son Wade Allen, son in law Gary Nowak and her grandchildren Adrian (Hillary) Nowak, Brian (Kylie) Nowak, Gage (Amanda) Nowak, Makenzy (Austin) McDaniel and great-grandchildren Juniper, Conner, Destry, Gracelynn and Finnan.

Steve Spaulding

Steven “Steve” Eugene Spaulding, 75, valiantly passed away on December 9, 2025, surrounded by his family. Steve was born on September 12, 1950, to Gene and Sylvia Spaulding in Lovell, Wyoming. He was the eldest of three children, with two brothers, Bill and Jim. Steve grew up in Afton, WY and spent much of his childhood riding horses, herding cattle, and living the cowboy life alongside his father, family, and friends. He cherished his time in Lovell, Wyoming, especially with his cousins Stan and Richard Fink.

At age fifteen, Steve tragically lost his father during a cattle roundup in Little Greys River, a loss that deeply affected him throughout his life. He graduated from Star Valley High School in 1968.

Steve was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division from 1970 to 1971. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Second Oak Leaf Cluster for his actions during a firefight saving the lives of his platoon. Though he rarely spoke of his experiences in Vietnam, he often remembered the men he served with. Later, he joined the Wyoming Army National Guard and continued his service for several years, remaining a true patriot.

In 1971, Steve met Sandra Johnson in Afton WY, whom he married on July 3, 1972. They were later sealed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on October 18, 2023, in the Afton Temple. Together, they had four children: Bill, Michael, Steve, and Melissa. Steve was a devoted father, spending time with his children hunting, fishing, gathering firewood, and exploring the mountains of Star Valley and Greys River. He instilled in them the values of hard work and respect for others.

Throughout his life, Steve worked in various fields, including Star Studs Sawmill, the U.S. Forest Service, oil fields, as a hunting guide, and for the Wyoming Highway Department. He was known for his strong work ethic, which he passed on to his children. Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing, leather working, reloading ammunition, and braiding horse reins. He was an avid reader, especially of westerns, Native American history, mountain men, and military topics.

Steve faced numerous health challenges, including electrocution in 1980, a massive stroke in 1989, seizures, the loss of his leg, and a heart attack. Despite these hardships, he maintained a positive attitude, always kept smiling and moving forward. His resilience inspired all who knew him and served as a reminder to his children to never give up.

Steve cherished time with his grandchildren, teaching them mischievous tricks to play on their parents. He had a great sense of humor and was always laughing and loving life. Steve is preceded in death by his parents Gene and Sylvia, and brother Jim. He is survived by his brother Bill (Donna), his wife Sandy of 53 years, his four children—Bill (Ashley), Michael, Steve (Lisa), and Melissa, eight grandchildren—Tyler (Ariana), Erin, Parker, Dillon (Brooke), Kaden, Karsen, Devan, and Trevor—and two great-grandchildren, Marceline and Gwen.

Per Steves’ wishes, no funeral services will be held; a celebration of life with family and friends will be held at a future date.