The following obituaries appeared in the July 31, 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.
Willie Lawrence
William Lonny Lawrence was a caring and loving son, brother, uncle and father. He left this world suddenly on July 25, 2024 at the age of 56. He was born to Scott and Linda Lawrence on March 5, 1968 in Jackson, Wyoming. After graduating high school in Big Piney, Wyoming he chose to become a patriot of our country and joined the Marine Corp. He was stationed in South Korea, Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan. While in the Marine Corp he met and married Keely Oellrich, they were married for 18 years. Together they had two children; Casey and Jordan.
Willie was a native to Wyoming and felt most at home in the mountains that were his sanctuary. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, guide, and was the epitome of a true cowboy.
He was a very talented artist, story-teller, and gift giver and you always left with a story, a handmade gift or a life lesson.
Willie met the love of his life, Lisa Grimsley while shooting a pilot for a TV show in Lander, Wyoming. Together they created a lifetime of memories in 11 short years together.
Willie is survived by his parents Scott and Linda Lawrence, sister Sandy (Mike) Moore, son Casey (Kelsey) Lawrence, grandkids Alayah, Tayven, Ashton, Natalie, and Paxtin. He was proceeded in death by his daughter, Jordan Lawrence. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 30 at 3 pm at the Schwab Funeral Home in Afton, Wyoming.
Dixie Olorenshaw
Dixie Lee Olorenshaw passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on June 20, 2024 at the young age of 68.
Dixie was born in Afton Wyoming on January 8th 1956 to Grant and LaNa Allen. Dixie was the youngest of the three Allen children including her sister Kathleen (Kitty) and brother Jody. In 1976 Dixie would go on to marry a man by the name Lee Helm, eventually giving birth to three children for her own, Kori, Jake, and Duke. As a mother, she was willing to sacrifice for her children. Having worked multiple jobs to ensure they had a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Dixie preached to her kid’s importance of good values and family. She believed a family was supposed to be there for each other, whether that be when things were good, but most importantly when a loved one made a mistake.
As her children grew up and left home. Dixie remained the ever happy woman. She spent time with friends and tending her yard and garden. Even as she got older, her days as a mother were not over. Just like with her own kids, she excelled as a pet parent. Dixie loved her dogs. Even her own children couldn’t help but see that she thought of her beloved pets as her babies.
Dixie was preceded in death by both parents Grant and LaNa Allen her sister Kathleen (Kitty) Collings, her son Jake Helm and grandson Alex Verley.
She is survived by her brother Jody (Ruth) Allen, Daughter Debby (Curtis & Luke) Summers, Daughter Kori (Kris) Grandkids Mason (Kaitlin) Gilbert, Ashlyn (Chris) Jenson, Destiny Helm, and Daxon Gilbert, Son Duke and Kids Helm.
A woman that brought joy and life to everyone who knew her. Dixie took full advantage of every one of her 68 years on this Earth. Those whose lives were blessed with her presence will deeply mourn her loss, but the memories of Dixie and the lessons she taught will echo through the family for generations to come.
Gayla Astle
Gayla Gardner Astle was born May 30, 1934 in Afton Wyoming, the second of five children born to Archibald Gardner and Mary Estella Toland. She passed away on July 22, 2024, at age 90, in St George Utah from issues related to age and a broken femur.
Gayla enjoyed a loving and happy childhood, filled with friends, music and learning. She married her High School sweetheart, Dee Carling Astle, in the Salt Lake temple on Oct, 27 1952, thus beginning a 71 and a half year loving relationship. Their marriage was filled with love and devotion to each other and many years of hard work and frugal living as they raised their five children [Carolyn, Craig, Kent, Val and Robert]. Gayla was a great mother, teaching her children with kindness, patience and by example. She loved a clean house and she loved to cook wonderful meals which almost always included a dessert. She enjoyed celebrating each holiday with its music and decorations and taught her children to love life.
Music was always a very important part of Gayla’s life from childhood on. She became an excellent pianist and later a proficient guitarist. She taught both piano and guitar lessons for many years, thus blessing the lives of so many people young and older. Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life in Music and many other callings was also a cherished part of Gayla’s life. With Dee, she served an Historic Sites mission for the church. They were temple ordinance workers for many years in both the Idaho Falls and the St George temples.
Gayla and Dee exemplified a loving united marriage. Being united and inseparable in life, Gayla followed Dee in death only two and one half months after his passing. They raised their five children on a small rural farm/ranch in Grover, in beautiful Star Valley Wyoming. Their loving home was filled with music, book reading at bedtime and a lot of hard work. The Love of God and of their fellow men was the core value of their lives. Gayla and Dee loved spending time together, riding horses, dancing, talking and working side by side and were often seen holding hands.
Gayla was loved by all who knew her and will be remembered by family and friends, for her great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and her eternal optimism. She choose to see the good in others and in all situations and was quick to express thanks to God for her blessings and to each person who crossed her path in life. She loved life and at the time of her passing at age 90, was surrounded by loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, Nada Joy, Hal, Dahl, and Emilyn, and by her husband Dee and their beloved daughter Carolyn [Chuck Owen]. She will be honored and remembered by her four sons, Craig [Jan], Kent [Denise], Val [Valerie], and Robert [Teri] and by her 19 grandchildren and 57 great and great great grandchildren.
The funeral/celebration of life services will be held Aug 31 at 11 am at the Dammeron/Diamond Valley Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint chapel. There will be no viewing but friends and family are welcome to greet family and pay respects prior to the services from 9:30 on. There will be a family prayer at 10:45am.
Charles Bagley
Charlie Dan Bagley was born on October 23, 1963 to Clyde and Genell Bagley.
He passed on July 24, 2024, in Idaho Falls surrounded by his family.
Charlie grew up in Auburn, on the family ranch.
He wrestled in the varsity team and played football at Star Valley High School.
He worked many different jobs and was the hardest worker at most of the jobs.
Funeral Services will be held in the Meadows Ward on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 10:00am, with a viewing prior to the service from 9:00am – 9:45am.
There will also be a night viewing on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Schwab Mortuary from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
