Albert Wayne Smebakken

Funeral services for Albert Smebakken will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Gillette Memorial Chapel. A visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Albert Smebakken age 93 of Gillette, WY passed away on June 29, 2017 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital. Albert Wayne Smebakken was born on April 10, 1924 to Lodi (Splide) and Gilbert Smebakken at the families ranch home in Promise, SD. The family moved to Perkins County when Albert was young. He was the oldest of 8 children. He attended school up until the 8th grade from which he graduated and went straight to work on the family ranch. He met and married Katherine Martin in 1952, the couple raised five children together; Wayne, Wanda, Bonnie, Jim and Jerry. He ranched in Perkins County until 1974, then moved to Trail City and work for Johnson Brothers Ranch until 1979 at which time they moved to Gillette, WY and worked for Janie Harris until he retired at the age of 73. Albert was one of the last of an era true old time cowboy, loved to ride good horses, work cattle and drive teams. He went from the homestead era in South Dakota, to the drought in the depression, to the space age. Not many people have seen that much change in their lives. He was a proud loving father. He loved life and lived it to its fullest. Was very involved in the lives of his children. He loved the little things in life that most people miss; stopping to smell the roses. Albert is survived by sons; Wayne and Jim of Gillette, WY, daughter, Bonnie Carrol of Teton, ID, grandchildren, Ross (Brandi) Carrol of Soda Springs, ID, Ted Smebakken of Aurora, CO, Sammi (Josh) Ashcraft of Powell, WY and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Lodi Smebakken, wife, Katherine, children, Wanda and Jerry, brothers, Daniel, Glen, and Max and sisters, June, Izola, Grace, and Patsy. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716