Michael A. Howard, 72, of Casper, Wyo. lost his battle to cancer on July 2, 2022, at sunrise surrounded by his family.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with a reception to celebrate his life to follow at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Arrangements are under the care of Newcomer Casper Chapel.

Michael Alan Howard was born in Mitchell on Nov. 22, 1949, to Francis J. and Edith M. (Smith) Howard and was the 10th of 14 children. He grew up farming in Woonsocket, helping on both his parents’ farm and his eldest brother’s. He graduated in 1969 from Woonsocket Public High School.

Mike moved to Casper in 1970, where he met Carol M. (Albert) Howard, and they were married on March 30, 1974. They raised two children during their 48 years of marriage.

Mike worked in the uranium fields in the 70s and started his own backhoe service in the early 80s. He also began truck driving and was a teamster until the 90s when he concentrated on operating his backhoe, skid steer and excavation services. In the mid-80s, Mike became the leader of his children’s 4-H club, where he dedicated many years. His knowledge of “all-things” in life was vast, and he never missed an opportunity to show those around him his ways or lend a helping hand. He was a “teacher” of life and taught those around him lessons that can never be put to paper and are too many to put into words. He was an avid horseman and helped teach his kids to raise pigs and show horses each year for 4-H. He eventually took up team roping with his son and traveled all over the state and surrounding areas, enjoying roping competitions and time spent with his son and horses. After his children moved out, he began building a cabin on his property south of Casper in the Medicine Bow National Forest. His grandchildren were in awe as he “made” his own electricity and running water from a piece of land that started with nothing. Mike enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, family, friends, and horses. He also enjoyed team roping, camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time at the cabin.

Mike is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Colleen (Chris) Parsons; son, Kevin (Bridgett) Howard; five grandchildren; brothers, Frank (Larae) Howard, Doug (Delores) Howard, Wayne (Norma) Howard, Brad Howard; sisters, Janice (Dom) Lepore, Theresa (Stan) Smeltzer, Lynda (Brad) Steichen; his sisters-in-law, Marlene (Pat) Howard and Sherri Adams; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Patrick, Jerome, Jeffrey; and his sisters, Irene, Carol, and Retta.

Sister Armella Stratman, 97, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died June 25, 2022, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, June 29, in the Chapel at Presentation Place in Aberdeen. Reverend David Janes was celebrant and homilist. Liturgical Wake service and visitation was Tuesday, June 28, in Presentation Place Chapel. Interment was at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home took care of arrangements.

Barbara Stratman was born Oct. 17, 1924, in St. Helena, Neb., to Caroline (Koch) and Alben Stratman. Barbara graduated High School at Wessington in 1942 and attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell. She entered Presentation Convent on Sept. 12, 1947. She professed vows on Aug. 10, 1950, receiving her religious name of Sister Armella. She attended Presentation College in 1956 and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern State University in 1969.

Sister Armella dedicated more than 50 years to Catholic education teaching at schools in Artesian, Humboldt, Harrisburg, Madison, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Milbank, Watertown and Anoka, Minn. She served as a volunteer at Avera Brady Memorial Home in Mitchell for 10 years after her retirement from teaching and moved to Aberdeen in 2005. Sister Armella loved to sew and cook and had a wonderful talent of making beautiful crafts.

She is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Freida Stratman and Melanie Stratman; and two brothers, Ed Stratman and Clarence Stratman.

Robert “Gus” Nelson, 80, of Letcher, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, July 6, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Entombment was in Restlawn Memorial Garden in Huron. Visitation was Tuesday, July 5, at Holy Spirit. Arrangements were by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Robert Nelson was born Nov. 12, 1941, to Cliff and Ellen (Ohlson) Nelson in Mitchell. Gus grew up in Forestburg.

On June 10, 1961, Gus married Joanne Moody. They were married for 61 years.

Gus was active in coaching softball, leading the 4-H Horse project, and many other youth projects such as shooting sports and coaching girls’ or boys’ ball. He was a board member of the Sanborn Weed Board, Union Township, FSA, Elevator Board, and president of the 4-H Leaders Association. The highlight of his accomplishments was being elected to the 4-H Hall of Fame and receiving the Heartland Saddle Award in 2015. Gus was guided by the love of his family, faith, his passion for the 4-H Horse project, and hunting with family and friends.

Gus is survived by his wife, Joanne; children, Rick (Linda) Nelson of Marion, Wendi (Chuck) Peer of Artesian, Sue (Bob) Severson of Garretson, and Teresa (Chuck) Wilson of Benson, Minn.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Faye Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Doug; and grandson, Ryley Peer.