Grace Carlson

Grace Carlson, 109, of Meeteetse, passed away at the Spirit Mountain Hospice House on July 21, 2017.

Gracie Anne Steele was born May 9, 1908 in Meeteetse, Wyoming to W.O. and Gracie Price Steele. Gracie spent her younger years in Meeteetse, completing the fourth grade in school. In late August of 1918 her mother took her and her sister, Mary, to Missoula, Montana and enrolled them in Sacred Heart Academy, a girls boarding school, for the school terms with vacations at home. Gracie's seventh grade teacher thought the name "Grace" was more mature than "Gracie, so from that time she became "Grace".

In the summer of 1922 Grace's father sold their Meeteetse house and adjoining properties and the family moved to the Steele Ranch on Gooseberry Creek in Washakie County.

Grace graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1926, and from Holy Name Normal School in Spokane, Washington in 1928. Due to the death of her mother September 25, 1928 Grace stayed at the ranch with her father.

On January 13, 1930 Grace married Edgar Carlson (the neighbor boy) in Thermopolis, Wyoming and they made their home at the Steele Ranch.

The Carlsons were parents of two daughters, Gracie Ann born May 31, 1933 and Helen Marie born February 2, 1937. When Helen was old enough to start school Grace rented a house in Worland so the girls could attend school there. After the girls graduated from Worland High School and were on their own, Grace moved to the K. C. Ranch on Gooseberry Creek where Edgar was employed. In 1959 Carlsons had a log house built on property they owned 3 ½ miles southwest of Meeteetse. This has been home to Grace for 57+ years.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William, her sister Mary, her daughter Gracie Ann, her son-in-law George Turney, and her husband Edgar in 2001.

She is survived by her daughter Helen, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, nine nephews and their extended families.

Memorials may be made to Saint Therese's Catholic Church in Meeteetse, the Meeteetse Senior Center, Meeteetse Museums, or the donor's choice.

A Vigil will be held Monday July 31 at 5:00 pm at Saint Therese's Catholic Church. Funeral services will be Tuesday August 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Therese's Catholic Church with Rev. Philip Vaske officiating, burial to follow at Meeteetse Cemetery and then a luncheon at Meeteetse Senior Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 19 at 4:00 pm at the Oasis Motel in Meeteetse.

Services are with Ballard Funeral Home. An online memorial is available at http://www.BallardFH.com.