The following obituaries appeared in the January 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.
Kate Jackson
On Sunday, January 28, 2024 our beloved mom, Katherine Jackson, went home to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ.
She passed peacefully at the age 92 with some family by her side. She was still eating and smiling the night before!
Her husband, Richard Jackson, Sr. went to be with our Lord in 2006.
Together they were blessed with four children, Deborah, Jessica, Rick and Allan.
They were also blessed with 10 beautiful grandchildren and eighteen beautiful great-grandchildren.
Kate was a Christian who loved sharing her faith.
She was much loved by her family and friends and loved spending time with them.
We will miss her so much until we get to see her again in heaven for all eternity.
Grave side funeral in Smoot will be announced at a later date.
Larry Wolfley
Larry S. Wolfley passed away on December 18, 2023. He was born on October 20, 1937, to Louis Elmer and Gwennie Lorain Smith Wolfley in Afton, Wyoming. He was one of five children. He lived in Star Valley, Wyoming until he was fourteen and then moved to Knudsen dairy farm in Provo, Utah.
Larry was smart and thoughtful, traits that were evident starting in his early years. After graduating from Provo High School, he served our country in the United States Air Force for four years. His thirst for knowledge led him to Brigham Young University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Larry’s love for education was not limited to acquiring knowledge. He was enthusiastic about teaching and impacting lives, which he did as an educator. He taught high school in five different countries and spent 11 years teaching in a private school in Danville, California. Larry worked the last four years of his career as a Math professor at Utah Valley University.
He married Mary Lou Barker in 1957 in Springville, Utah and in March 2012, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo Temple. They were blessed with two sons.
Larry’s life wasn’t all work; he loved to travel and had a special fondness for his birthplace, Afton, Wyoming, where he taught early in his career while he built his summer home in Alpine.
He was member of The Church of Jesus Christ and served in many callings over the years; one of his favorite callings was serving as a math specialist in his ward and loved to teach the youth.
Larry is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou Wolfley; his sons, William Brian (Jean) Wolfley, Bradley Harrison (Cathy) Wolfley; and his grandchildren, Bradley Kyle, Patricia, and Sara. He also leaves behind his sister Jolene and brother Delwin.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis Wolfley and Gwennie Smith, brother Elmer, and sisters Katie and Ludean.
We invite all those who knew and loved Larry to leave memories on his memorial page, as we celebrate a life well lived.
RaMon McCombs
RaMon H. McCombs graduated into eternity on January 7, 2024, after a life of service to his fellow man and family. Born on October 28, 1937, into a hardworking ranching family in Afton, Wyoming, RaMon was the oldest of five boys of Arvid and Wanda Hepworth McCombs. He grew up shadowing his dad on their Star Valley, Wyoming ranch. A talented athlete, he excelled at track and basketball. He was an avid snow skier and lifelong sports fan. The life lessons he learned on the ranch of steady hard work, the law of the harvest, the value of a handshake promise, and charitable kindness would propel his future success in life as an entrepreneur, businessman, mentor, church leader, husband, and father.
In 1955, before his senior year in high school, RaMon’s family moved to Letha, Idaho, to raise cattle, sheep, and farm in a more temperate climate. It was a fortuitous move because RaMon met his future wife, Norene Hadley. They would share 65 happy years together that included three children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
The first in his family to graduate from college, RaMon received his bachelor’s degree in 1963 from the University of Utah. He began his career working as an insurance investigator for Retail Credit Company (later Equifax) and eventually managed offices in Burley and Caldwell, Idaho. RaMon and Norene then settled on an acreage in Nampa, Idaho, where they lived for more than five decades.
In 1969, he and his brother, Brent, launched ‘Meat’s Royale’, a specialty meat market that served Boise customers for more than 17 years. Together RaMon and Norene also built a decades-long Amway business that helped entrepreneurs forge their own successful businesses throughout the West.
Later in his career, RaMon worked for ITT and GE as a commercial finance auditor. His intelligence, charm, work ethic, storytelling ability, and friendship skills made him a beloved figure with colleagues and clients.
RaMon’s lifetime of service and mentoring is renowned. As a member and leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he went on hundreds of visits to help the sick in spirit and the sick of body. He served in many roles for his church, including with young men, where he helped them see their potential and live up to their best possibilities. RaMon and Norene together sacrificed, served, mentored, and loved many as the Savior did.
After retiring in 2004, RaMon enjoyed many years of travel with Norene and their children and grandchildren throughout the US and the world. Additionally, he and Norene served as service missionaries for their church at the Palmyra Pageant in upstate New York.
RaMon’s family will miss his stalwart leadership, determination, wit, adventurous spirit, honesty, generosity, friendship, optimism, and example. His legacy includes his three grateful children: Troy (Michelle), Tina (Edward), and Tammy (Christopher), as well as his 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is survived by his devoted wife and brothers Gray, Brent, and Dwight. He was preceded in death by his younger brother Kelton and his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, located at 3305 West Kuna Road, Kuna, ID 83634.
Interment was at 12pm, Monday, January 22, 2024 at the Grover, Wyoming Cemetery.
Theda Kirkland
Theda Crook Kirkland born on November 25, 1935, in Afton, Wyoming peacefully passed away on January 28, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Theda was the daughter of Harvey and Rosella Crook. She and her two sisters Nola Longhurst and Evelyn Stuart were raised on a farm in Smoot Wyoming.
She married and was sealed to George Wilford Kirkland on December 21, 1956, in the Logan, Utah temple.
Theda was the cherished mother of five children: Gregory Kirkland (son) and Janet Kirkland (spouse) – Hillsboro, Oregon: Steven Kirkland – Riverton, Utah: Layne Kirkland (deceased son): Kristine Kelly (daughter) and Joseph Kelly (spouse) – Spanish Fork, Utah: Dale Kirkland (son) and Anne Kirkland (spouse) – Star Valley, Wyoming. She had 19 grandchildren and 27 Great grandchildren.
Theda and George raised their children in Centerville, Utah for over 50 years.
She had a great impact on many children as a fourth-grade teacher at the West Bountiful Elementary for over 20 years. She served faithfully in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Theda enjoyed going up to the family’s Cedar Creek Ranch in Smoot, Wyoming. It was her piece of heaven walking through the pine trees and fields with her children teaching many life lessons. She was passionate about sharing her heritage with her posterity to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Public viewing will be held at 6-8 p.m., Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Bountiful, UT.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Rowland Way Chapel, 610 Rowland Way, Centerville, UT., where a viewing will be held between 9:45 and 10:45 a.m. prior to services.
Kenna Winslow
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kenna Lee (Ringdahl) Winslow on January 20, 2024. She passed away from a sudden illness at the hospital surrounded by her family. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend to many. What she enjoyed most was being a loving wife and a caring mother to her kids.
Kenna was born August 3, 1966, in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Francis Kenneth Ringdahl and LeeAnn Rollins Ringdahl.
She grew up in Green River, Wyoming where she attended school and spent time with her friend’s riding horses, riding bikes and pretending to be the “Charlies Angels”. Attending team ropings with her dad and grandpa Alex was considered a family affair and every year the family spent time at Halfmoon Lake. She participated in the local 4H and rodeo club. She served as a member and, later, Student Body President on the GRHS student council. She lettered in Doubles Tennis on the Lady Wolves Varsity Team. She showed a fantastic talent for the art of drawing and would continue to draw and produce artwork for the remainder of her life.
Kenna’s many achievements and community service were rewarded when she was made an honorary member of both the Rock Springs Yellow Jackets and Green River Chamber of Commerce. Kenna would graduate from Green River High School in 1984 and would go on to attend the University of Wyoming. During Rush Week, she was recruited by the Chi Omega Sorority and was a little sister to the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
In 1986, Kenna was crowned Miss Sweetwater County Fair Queen. She traveled the state of Wyoming with her horse, Blackie, riding in parades and grand entries. As well as attending events as an ambassador for the sport of rodeo and the art of horsemanship.
Kenna was a longtime resident of Green River, Wyoming. She worked at the two family-owned businesses, Liza’s Limos and Cowboy Corner. She would go on to have her own embroidery business, Logo Ready, and was a respected car salesman at both the Sweetwater Ford and Nissan dealerships. In 2005, Kenna met her husband, Bryan Winslow. They were married on August 21, 2008.
In 2012, they moved to Bedford, Wyoming. Once settled in the Star Valley area, she decided she wanted to obtain her real estate license. She completed that in less than six months and went to work as a realtor for Canyon River Realty. Kenna would later go to work as a clerk for the Lincoln County Landfill where she became a familiar face to the community.
Kenna was passionate about animals and created lasting bonds with her pets. She rescued many from the local animal shelters. She loved and cared for her cats, dogs, horses and would even feed the birds to which she called her “friends”, when secretly she was not fond of birds.
Kenna was known for her kindness, competitive nature, strength to overcome and friendship. Many who knew her could speak to her love for practical jokes, complimented by a sense of humor and wit. She was always an open ear and an encouraging voice to others. No matter what she did, she was dedicated to doing her best and succeeding. Kenna was truly special, one-of-a-kind, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Kenna Winslow was preceded in death by her father Francis Kenneth Ringdahl, her Grandpa and Grandma Ringdahl, and her Grandpa and Grandma Rollins.
Survivors include her husband Bryan Winslow of Bedford, Wyoming, daughter Kaycee Hodges of Green River, Wyoming, daughter Haylee Hodges and fiancé Zachary Shadi-Kingsley of Denver, Colorado, son Kenny Lennon of Green River, Wyoming, mother LeeAnn Rollins of Bedford, Wyoming, sister Lori McMillin and husband Bob of Cody, Wyoming, brother Kevin Ringdahl and wife Lori of Green River, Wyoming, sister Mindi Ringdahl and husband Thomas Gamache of Draper, Utah; as well as many nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 11am, Saturday, February 3, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 120 Shoshone Ave, Green River Wyoming. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
Interment will take place in the Riverview Cemetery.
Condolences can be left at www.foxfh.com.
