The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the October 7, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Tim Lassen
Timothy Cary Lassen 79, resident of Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming, beloved husband and father passed away on September 13, 2026, with his family surrounding him. He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. Tim was born on June 8, 1947, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to parents Worden and Kathleen Lassen. He graduated from Purdue University in January 1970 with a Civil Engineering Degree. He began his career in Chicago, IL with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for over 18 years; followed by employment with Environmental Solutions of Irvine, CA as an Environmental Engineer until his early retirement in 2005.
During retirement, he developed the art of woodcarving and woodworking, following his father’s craft, carving intricate pieces, as well as refinishing family furniture. He also enjoyed flyfishing the numerous small streams in Wyoming, golfing, camping, horseback riding and backcountry horse camping and traveling in his motor home. Adventures in the motorhome took him and Marsha all over the United States and Canada including a trip to Alaska and the Canadian Maritimes. Chicago Cubs baseball was a highlight of his sports life. He attended games and enthusiastically rooted his team with each game. His church and his relationship with God were foremost in his life. Many times, he stepped forward helping with things needed at his church.
He leaves behind his wife and high school sweetheart, of nearly 60 years, Marsha (Jett) Lassen; along with two sons: Chris Lassen (Kernville, California), daughter-in-law Laura, son Craig Lassen (Grants Pass, Oregon) and treasured granddaughter, Kasey Lassen (Palo Alto, California)
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Emmanuel Bible Church, 53 Tyler Lane, Thayne, WY. A reception will follow. The service will be live streamed at EBCSV.COM
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cancer Research Institute or to the Kern River Valley Community Fund in Kernville, California. Tim established the Kern River Valley Community Fund to help local children in need and support local philanthropic organizations.
Ralph Burton
Ralph Peterson Burton, age 90, of Hyde Park, Utah, passed away peacefully at his home on September 29, 2026, just 4 weeks after the passing of his beloved wife, Beth.
Ralph was born on March 20, 1936, in Afton, Wyoming, to Winfield Ballantyne Burton and Harriet Almira Peterson Burton. The third of eleven children, he was raised on the family’s livestock ranch in Star Valley, where he developed a strong work ethic and a lifelong appreciation for agriculture, family and faith.
Ralph graduated from Star Valley High School in 1954 and afterward served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northern Mexico from 1956 to 1958. He also served in the Wyoming National Guard from 1959 to 1963.
On August 9, 1960, Ralph married Luella Beth Hoopes for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. They began their married life in Laramie, Wyoming, where Ralph attended the University of Wyoming, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He later earned a Ph.D. in entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, in 1968.
Ralph enjoyed a long career in the agricultural research and chemical industry, working for Diamond Shamrock Corporation and its successor companies. His career took the family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Cleveland, Ohio, where Ralph and Beth raised their eight children and developed many lifelong friendships.
A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ralph devoted many years to serving in a variety of Church callings, including bishop, bishopric counselor, seminary teacher, Scoutmaster and high priests group leader. In their retirement years, he and Beth served together in family history and temple work, as well as teaching seminary to students with special needs.
After retiring, Ralph and Beth returned to their beloved Star Valley, where they enjoyed welcoming family and friends into their home. They later moved to Saratoga Springs, Utah, and finally to Hyde Park, where they spent their remaining years together.
Ralph is survived by his eight children and their spouses: Blair Burton (Vicky), Brent Burton (Amy), Lance Burton (Shayne), Wade Burton (April), Bruce Burton (Kendra), Myrna Groom (Eric), Marsha Joss (Eric), and Wynn Burton (Danielle Miller); 33 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren, and siblings Nola Dayley, Almira Despain, Wilmer Burton, Cleone Black, Claire Lambson, and Mark Burton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Luella Beth Hoopes Burton, his parents, Winfield and Harriet Burton, sisters Leah Ashby and Marie Hokanson, and brothers Paul Burton and Lloyd Burton.
Funeral services will be held in Afton, Wyoming on October 5, 2026 from 12pm to 1:30pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 104 Johnny Miller Drive, Afton Wyoming, with interment following in the Afton Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 10:30am to 11:30am for family and friends.
Mary Campbell
Graveside Services for Mary Campbell will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 1 p.m. in the Etna Cemetery.
Ralph Taylor
Funeral Services for Ralph Taylor will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 12 Noon in the Afton 3rd Ward chapel.
A Viewing will be held from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to the service
Verna Jensen
Verna Robinson Jensen passed away peacefully at her home in the early morning of October 1, 2026, at the age of 92.
Verna was the second child of Alvin and Thetta Ann Sanderson Robinson and was born on her parents 6th wedding anniversary, on April 12, 1934 at their ranch home in Freedom, Wyoming. Waiting to greet her were Theo, Veloy, Vera, Keith and Ione. She was later joined by Alvin, Blake and Etta.
As a youth, Verna lived in Idaho Falls, Great Falls, Montana and returned to Afton when she was in the eighth grade.
Verna met her husband of 72 years, VerDean Jensen while he was working at a gas station in downtown Afton. They dated and had lots of fun together. They were married in a double ring ceremony with Nord and Joy Wilkes on September 11, 1954 (which VerDean later called the first 9/11 disaster). They started out in Afton, and later moved to Pinedale for a short time, before returning to Afton. Together they raised four sons, Dirk, Rod, Chad, and Dru.
Verna was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She worked for Star Valley State Bank for 31 years.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings.
She loved life and enjoyed a wide variety of activities. She particularly loved shopping, gardening, cooking, painting, fishing, camping and hunting with her family.
Verna enjoyed traveling and had many adventures. Her favorite pastime was fishing and riding horses in the mountains. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends.
Grandma Verna was well loved by her 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. They loved visiting in her home and spending time outside whether in the mountains, at the meadow, or in her backyard.
Verna was loved by whomever she met. Her sense of humor, chocolate drawer, and hospitality were well known. Her laugh was infectious and she loved to scare and surprise people. Everyone was welcome in her home and no one ever left her home without a snack or a full home cooked meal.
Verna loved living in Star Valley and being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, siblings, and many friends. She will be greatly missed by all.
She often told her family: When I get old, I don’t want people thinking, “What a sweet old lady.” I want them to say, “Oh Crap! What is she up to now?”
“What wonderful times and memories we have had playing and working together. We love spending time together! We’ve shared some really great times. Luckily the bad times were few.”
“Overall, VerDean and I ended up with a fantastic family. Somehow we raised four very outstanding boys, each with a wonderful and caring wife, and a whole gaggle of the best grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren one could ever dream of. We did it, and we did it very well.”
Verna is survived by her husband of 72 years, VerDean Jensen of Afton, along with her children Dirk (Joan) Jensen of Grover; Rod (Ileene) Jensen of Afton; Chad (Kim) Jensen of Afton; and Dru (Colby) Jensen of Grover; sister Etta (Jim) Paoli of Star Valley Ranch; and all her beloved grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at the Afton Tabernacle followed by interment at the Grover, Wyoming cemetery.
Danette Ellison
Danette (Miller/Shinkle) Ellison was born on May 30, 1948, in Afton, Wyoming, to Gordon and Adean Miller. She was raised in Afton alongside her sister, Marilyn (Miller) White, and her two brothers, Douglas Miller and Scott Miller. Danette graduated from Star Valley High School and later worked at Jackson Hole Drug in Jackson, Wyoming.
In 1966, Danette married Fred Shinkle. Together, they welcomed three sons: Gordon, Charlie, and Jaceson. The family eventually moved from Jackson to Rawlins, Wyoming, where they raised their boys.
After Danette and Fred divorced, she met George Ellison, and the two were married in 1988. George brought four children into their growing family: daughter Rose (Ellison) Harmon and sons George Jr., Marty, and Burt Ellison. Together, Danette and George created a loving blended family of seven children. They raised their family in Rawlins until moving to Glenrock in the 1990s.
Danette and George later retired and moved south to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they spent the remainder of their lives together. They shared 38 years of marriage filled with love, family, and many cherished memories. Danette passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2026.
Danette enjoyed many simple pleasures in life. She had a special love for quilting and sewing and also enjoyed camping, fishing, and golfing with George. The two also enjoyed occasional trips to Las Vegas, where they could gamble, relax, and enjoy a getaway together.
Danette was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Adrean Miller; her brother, Douglas Miller; her sister, Marilyn Miller; and her first husband, Fred Shinkle.
She leaves behind her loving husband, George Ellison; her sons, Gordon Shinkle, Charlie Shinkle, and Jaceson Shinkle; her stepdaughter, Rose (Ellison) Harmon; and her stepsons, George Jr. Ellison, Marty Ellison, and Burt Ellison. She also leaves behind 10 beloved grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild lovingly expected in October.
Danette will be remembered for the love she shared with her family, the life she built with George, and the many memories she created with those she loved. Her family will carry her memory in their hearts and cherish the years they were blessed to have her in their lives.
A private celebration of Danette’s life will be held with family in the summer of 2027, with her final resting place in Auburn, Wyoming
