Lorene Barbour

Margaret "Lorene" Barbour, of Gillette, died Monday, August 3, 2015. She was 86. Funeral services will be at 1:30pm on Thursday, August 13, at The Barn, off Echeta and McKenzie Road. Pastor Gordon Harper officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 12, from 5 to 7 pm at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Lorene was born on September 10, 1928, the second child of Helen M. (Otto) and James W. Cole at McHenry Hospital in Gillette, WY. Lorene attended the French School, Gillette Grade School, and graduated from Campbell County High School in 1946. Her childhood years were on the Cole Place west of the airport, where she resided prior to moving to Pioneer Manor in late 2014. The Cole family ran a dairy and milk route, with her Otto grandparents owning a creamery in Gillette. In 1940, the same year her brother Bob was born, Lorene met the love of her life, Ralph E. Barbour. They courted until Ralph enlisted in the Navy in 1944. On March 5, 1947 the childhood sweethearts were married at the Cole home. Four children were born unto this union. Ralph and Lorene later divorced. Early in her career she worked as a hospital aide, nurse, and helped deliver babies. After marriage she was a farm and ranch wife. For more than 20 years she drove school bus. Some of her fondest memories were of the students who rode her bus. Lorene was a people person. It was not unheard of for her to talk for 30 minutes to someone who called the wrong phone number. While raising her children she became a mother figure to many others whom she loved as her own. One of her greatest joys was attending the births of the majority of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout the years, she belonged to the Wyoming Homemakers Club, served as an election judge, and was a longtime 4-H leader, resulting in many stories. She enjoyed camping in the mountains, going to garage sales, bowling, and recently bingo at the Pioneer Manor. Lorene loved the Lord. She was 15 when she accepted Jesus as her savior. Over the years she was in regular attendance at church, faithful in prayer, and loved to sing hymns. Her family will miss her blunt humor and indecisiveness, but most of all her unconditional love. She is survived by her children; Steve (Georgia) Barbour and their children, Stephanie (Kirk) Haas, Judi (Andrew)Blum, Charla (Matt)Lacy; son-in-law Gayle (late Ginny)Nannemann (Kay Talley) and their children Scott (Cathy) Nannemann, Stacey (Don) Dickson, Cory (Laurin) Nannemann, Genae (Davian) Herbig, Trent (Heidi) Nannemann, Tom (Linda) Barbour and their children Spencer (Jessica Crumrine) Barbour, Seth (Rosey) Barbour, Tomi Barbour, Tell Barbour and granddaughter in love, Joanna Graham; Judy (Rich) Lynde and their children Trevor (Sarah) Lynde, Toby Lynde, and Tanner Lynde and South African son Ian (Sally) Steyn and family of Larkspur, CO; older brother James "Duane" (Luann) Cole of Atascadero, CA; sister-in-laws Susan Cole of Fredericksburg, VA, Rose (Barbour)Twomey of Gillette, WY and Mary Barbour of Hulett, WY; best friend Dorothy Hardy; 39 great-grandchildren and to her delight, one great-great-grandson; and many children of the heart which she helped raise, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Bob Cole; and daughter Ginny Nannemann.Memorials and condolences may be sent in Lorene's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716 or via website: www.gillettememorialchapel.com Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716