1947 – 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved mother and nana, Linda Lou (Grace) Felton. Linda was born the fifth child of Edward J. and Ruby E. Grace on September 27, 1947 in Casper Wyoming. Linda attended Washington and Lincoln elementary schools, East Junior High School and graduated from Natrona County High School in 1966.
On October 20, 1967 she wed the love of her life, Roger W. Felton. Together, they had many adventures; camping, fishing, riding motorcycles and day trips exploring their beautiful state of Wyoming. Their next adventure would arrive with the birth of their daughter, Jennifer. Linda loved being a wife and mother, often making her baby’s clothing and baking homemade treats. Linda was well-known for her cinnamon rolls, zucchini bread and oatmeal cookies. She also made amazing manicotti, lime party salad and turkey and noodles. The family enjoyed trips to Alcova, Thermopolis, Lander and Rapid City.
Outside of the home, Linda worked many years for the KMart Corporation as a merchandiser. During her time with KMart, she earned many awards for her excellent service and workmanship. Shortly after retiring, Linda, along with Roger, were granted life’s greatest blessing, grandchildren. “Nana”, as Linda would be lovingly named by her “little sweethearts”, adored this phase of her life. Amanda, Elizabeth and Jesse would become her priority for the remainder of her days. Along with spending time with her cherished family, Linda was also a accomplished genealogist. She traveled thousands of miles and spent countless hours researching generations of her family uncovering a treasure trove of history. Linda also enjoyed watching movies, especially scary and funny ones. She was also a voracious reader, with a fondness for James Patterson and Craig Johnson.
On January 25, 2011, Linda and Roger were separated in this life when Roger passed away. As always, Linda was by Roger’s side, tenderly holding his hand and gently speaking of their beautiful life together. She never remarried or recovered from the loss of her soulmate. On November 30, 2024, she would rejoin him.
Linda is preceded in death by her husband, Roger; infant son, Brian David; parents, Edward and Ruby; and siblings: Marilyn, Edward Jr., and June. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Swank; grandchildren: Amanda (Sarah) Paad, Elizabeth Paad and Jesse Paad; and great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Mason, Amethyst, Noah and Opal.
As per Linda’s wishes, no funeral services will be held. A family luncheon will be held at a later date. Donations in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
1926 – 2025
Roy Joseph Larsen was born February 2, 1926 to Enoch and Agnes (Brorby) Larsen in Mobridge, South Dakota. He attended three one room country schools in Campbell County, South Dakota with his aunt as teacher seven of the eight years, and helped out on the family farm where he learned to drive the tractor and car from age nine.
Graduation from Ballard High School in Seattle, Washington June 1944, followed with active duty in the Army Air Force. He had transferred his senior year from Glenham, South Dakota High School to live with his dad in Seattle who was working in defense industries. With the ending of World War II in August 1945 he was discharged two months later at the convenience of the government. In January 1946 he enrolled at Colorado A&M College (now CSU) through the GI Bill, graduating June 1950 with BS in Agronomy.
He was employed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) as a soil scientist from 1952 to retirement in 1984. He worked at NRCS locations in Rapid City and Martin, South Dakota and Lamar, Colorado in the ’50’s, at Rocky Ford, Delta, and Pueblo in the 60’s and early 70’s and in Yuma and Akron from 1973 to 1980. In this work he and fellow workers classified and mapped soil resources county by county. The data from this work is available in each county on-line and is added to the database of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSSsoil). He was employer-recognized for mapping one million acres of soil. This career involved a change of residence every three to six years as surveys were completed. Roy adjusted by taking part in local community activities at each location. He is the author of four published soil surveys. In 1980, transferred to Casper to assist in preparation of manuscripts for publication of completed soil surveys. The five years following retirement in Casper, Wyoming he worked seasonally as a contract soil scientist in North Dakota and Wyoming. In succeeding summers, did the haying on the Johnstone hay ranch northwest of Casper.
Roy was a member of First United Methodist Church, Casper Mountain Lions Club, the Izaak Walton League and National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE, serving a term as state president). Volunteer activities included Habitat for Humanity, MOW delivery 26 years, GED tutoring, Natrona County Library, Monday Morning Side-walkers, Master Gardeners, and had donated over 5 gallons of whole blood while living in Casper. A life member of CSU Alumni Association and the Soil & Water Conservation Society of America. He was a member of Alpha Zeta honorary agricultural fraternity, Sigma Chi social fraternity, the Izaak Walton League as well as the Casper Mountain Lions Club. He enjoyed X-country skiing, square dancing, reading and travel (British Isles, Northern, Southern, Western and East central Europe and Kenya in Africa) as well as domestic Elderhostels. In 2011 traveled on the last Honor Flight from Wyoming to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
Preceded in death by parents; two younger brothers in childhood; and a stepmother for 51 years, Agnes (Anderson) Larsen. In September 2004, he married Herty Warnholtz thus creating a congenial elder companionship. Other survivors are three younger cousins, one in Montana, two in South Dakota and one in North Carolina.
Services with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Wed. July 2, 2025 at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. Rev. Loren Boyce will officiate. Memorials may be made to Casper Humane Society or to Meals on Wheels.
