Torrington, WY (Colyer Funeral Home) April 5th, 2024 — A celebration of life for PAULA JOANN SOMMER, 87, will be held 2pm Monday April 8, 2024, at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Willats officiating.
Paula JoAnn Sommer loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, passed away in the early hours after Easter Sunday 2024, in Torrington, WY, at Goshen Care Center, surrounded by her family. Paula was born to Margaret (Hall) and Paul Burris on January 29, 1937, in Virden, IL. Known for her friendliness, faith and love for her family, Paula will be dearly missed by all who knew her. We rejoice that she is now face to face with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will spend eternity with Him.
Starting out farming in Illinois in 1957, Paula and her husband made numerous moves and career changes in their lives. They moved with their daughters to Montana in 1974 and then on to Arizona following retirement. After several years of seasonal RVing and other travels, they settled in Torrington in 2008. Paula was active in her church and community throughout her life.
Paula is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Sommer, currently of Evergreen Plaza, sister-in-law, Helen Burris, two daughters, Laurie (Ralph) Sweet and Julie Sommer, as well as three beloved grandchildren, Marcell, Ivan and Angela Kincses. She is preceded in death by her brother, Don Burris, of Virden, IL.
A celebration of life for CHERYL ANN BOLTJES, 70, will be held 1pm Friday April 12, 2024, at Sonrise Church with Pastor Brent Mullock officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Cheryl of Torrington, Wyoming passed away peacefully April 1, 2024, at home with her loving husband Herman and her daughter Lacey by her side and cremation has taken place. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com
Cheryl was born June 29, 1953, to Wayne and Charlotte Ludwig in Torrington, Wyoming. She grew up on her family’s farm in Huntley where she attended school and graduated in 1971. She met Herman Boltjes her junior year of high school and they married March 17, 1972. They had three daughters: Crystal, Lacey, and Amber. In 1999, Cheryl received her associate degree from EWC. Cheryl loved to sew, cook, and read. More than once, late at night, Cheryl would sit at the sewing machine making clothing or a new set of drapes and would proudly show off her work the next morning. She would meet weekly with a book club where they would exchange books. It was amazing how fast she could read a romance novel. Her cooking was usually great, especially her cabbage burgers but even if it wasn’t her daughters knew better then to tell her otherwise. Cheryl was usually busy chasing her girls in their activities. She enjoyed going to the lake and traveling with family. Some of her favorite vacations were spent in California, Utah, and Connecticut. Cheryl was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Herman, of Torrington. Her daughter, Crystal Shoults and husband, Chris, of California. Her daughter, Lacey Burkart and husband, Justin, of Torrington. Her daughter, Amber Gooch and husband, Robert, of Texas. Her grandchildren Devin Shoults, Trenton Shoults, Spencer Shoults, Chaz (Alley) Hague, Nathanel Hague, Brooke Hague, Jaden Burkart, Makayla Burkart, Emily and Jedidiah Gooch. Her brother, Dan (Dee) Ludwig. As well as her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great grandchildren. Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Henry Boltjes.
A Celebration of Life for MARK LYLE OEDEKOVEN, 65, will be held at 10am Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Life Way Church with Pastor Marty Rostad officiating. Mark died unexpectedly on April 1, 2024 at Community Hospital in Torrington, Wyoming and cremation has taken place. The Colyer Funeral Home assisted the family with the cremation arrangements.
Mark was born January 20, 1959 in Sheridan, Wyoming the son of Lyle and Leona (DeColon) Oedekoven. After graduation he attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. He then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and worked on NASA space shuttles early in his career. He moved to Utah in 1989 and settled down with his family. Mark worked for Comcast as a technician for thirty-two years. He retired and moved to Wyoming in July 2022. He married Paula Jenkins on July 8, 2023. They were looking forward to spending their end years together.
Mark will be remembered as a fun and goofy guy who wouldn’t pass up a Diet Coke or a helping of berries. He could be found spending time with family, playing softball and enjoying the simple things, like spotting cows while driving down the road. He was an avid Rams fan. He also liked to collect stamps, rock figurines and play his games on the computer.
Mark is survived by his wife Paula; daughters Brianna, Brooke and Heather of Salt Lake City, Utah; step-children Chris (Jill) Jenkins, Angelee (James) Goodro and Nick (Sydney) Jenkins; and step-grandchildren Hailey, Randy, Benton, Delilah, Paula and Ava. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father and mother; and a sister.
A celebration of life for ROY KEITH FIELDS, 78, will be held and announced at a later date. Roy passed away peacefully April 3, 2024, at Torrington Community Hospital surrounded by his family and cremation has taken place. Roy was born August 15, 1945, in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Mervin and Leona (Combs) Fields. Colyer Funeral Home assisted the family with the cremation arrangements.
