Patricia Farmer

Memorial service for Patricia "Midge" Farmer will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2017 at Walker Funeral Home with Erik Bergquist officiating. Patricia "Midge" Lynn (Wipprecht) Farmer was born on December 6, 1938 in Omaha, NE to Rebecca "Becky" (Ure) and Stone Wipprecht. Midge was raised in Denver, CO and later moved to Englewood, CO where she graduated from Englewood High School in 1957. She went on to attend Hastings College in Hastings, NE where she met Edward Harvey Swartz. The two were married in Saint Louis, Missouri on November 24, 1959. Shortly after, Midge and Ed moved to Laramie, WY where on December 27, 1960 they welcomed their first son, Rodney Edward Swartz. The couple then moved to the Swartz Ranch in Gillette, WY where Midge gave birth to a second son, Troy Allan Swartz on May 16, 1962. Midge and Ed were later blessed with a daughter, Becky Jo Swartz, born on November 1, 1968 in Gillette. The couple later divorced in 1981. Six years later, on September 23, 1987, Midge married her longtime love, Donald Farmer in Gillette, WY. The new husband became an instant grandfather of five never fully recovering. The couple enjoyed scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico, hot air balloon rides in South Dakota, spending time with their dogs, and were partners in the local bowling league. Midge fell in love with Wyoming and the affair continued on for 57 years. Midge had many hobbies and enjoyed ice skating, horseback riding, swimming, working in her garden, refinishing old furniture, and roller skating. She was an amazing piano player, gorgeous singer, and a beautiful writer. Midge had written poetry since childhood and hoped to be a poet when she grew up. She loved to learn and from 1979 2006 attended Gillette and Sheridan Colleges, the University of Wyoming, Eastern Wyoming College, and Casper College. Midge was a long time sorority member of Beta Sigma Phi International. She received her Advanced Master Gardener certification through the UW Extension Service in 1989 and was a substitute teacher for the Campbell County School District. Midge organized the Wyoming branch of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (WyoPoets) and was a charter member of Wyoming Writers, Inc. Midge was an outstanding member of many organizations, won countless awards for her writings and had work printed in a list of publications. In January 2003, Gov. Freudenthal read her poem "Transplanted" at the end of his inaugural address. She will always be remembered for her love of life and her unfailing smile & sense of humor. She is survived by her husband Donald Farmer of Gillette; her brother Paul (Jan) Wipprecht of Omak, WA and their children: Anna Morin of Colorado Springs, CO; Christine (Pat) Painter of Calhan, CO; Stone (Suzanne) Wipprecht of Divide, CO; Chantel Aschan of Payton, CO; Nathan Wipprecht of Florissant, CO; Derk (Jenny) Wipprecht of Issaquah, WA; Heather Wipprecht of Colorado Springs, CO; and Patricia "Trish" (Shane) Aschan of Dillon, CO; Midges' son Troy (Mary) Swartz of Gillette and her grandchildren: Stayce (Josh) Williams of Gillette; Trayce (Terry) Yake of Gillette; Codye Easterling of Las Vegas, NV; Cacye (Matt) Freyensee of Spring Creek, NV; Toni Swartz (Adam Noakes)of Gillette; and Weston (Kassie) Swartz of Upton, WY; her great-grandchildren: Toryn and Dax Williams; Jacyee, Jaxyn, and Kasyn Freyensee; and Ryley Swartz, along with numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Becky and Stone Wipprecht, her children Rodney Swartz and Becky Swartz, and her brother Timothy Wipprecht. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716