Leola Bernice Eikenbary

Mass of Christian Burial for Leola Bernice Eikenbary will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Cliff Jacobson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with a vigil/prayer service held at 6:00 p.m.Bernice Eikenbary, age 102, of Douglas, Wyoming died at Douglas Care Center on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Bernice Eikenbary was born on June 29, 1909 in Douglas, Wyoming the daughter of Charles and Gertrude Louise (Schropp) Carter, at the home of her aunt and uncle Jim and May Noble. Weighing a bit over three pounds, she spent the first few days of her life in a shoe box on the oven door. Bernice spent the first few years of her life in Wyoming. Later on she spent time in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. She married Samuel Earl Eikenbary on May 12, 1927 in council Bluffs, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Patricia Louise, Robert Earl and Mary Geraldine. Their first few years were spent in Lincoln, Nebraska and on the ranch in the sand hills area, prior to going into the trucking business. This caused a lot of time away from the family, because of job locations, The family spent time in Wyoming and moved here permanently in 1942, calling Linch and Gillette their home base. She always enjoyed the ranch life, and all the many activities that her family took part in. Bernice enjoyed sports , hunting and fishing. A big Rodeo fan she helped put on a steer roping in Gillette for several years. Bernice was an avid bowler in both Gillette and Linch. She even entered the Senior Olympics in her 90's and has the trophy to prove it. Bernice was a member of the Pine Tree Homemakers Club and a honorary member of the Thunder Basin Homemakers Club, Campbell County Cattlewomen, the Wyoming Wool Growers Association and a director for the Wyoming Council of the Blind. Bernice was an active volunteer at the Linch Public Library, the Soup Kitchen in Gillette, and St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Bernice loved children and enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Bernice accomplished much in her 102 plus years. Her friends were many.Bernice is survived by her daughter, Patricia(Gene) Isenberger Litton of Gillette, Wyoming; son, Robert Earl(Lavon) Eikenbary of Linch, Wyoming; grandchildren: Lee (Peggy) Isenberger, Penny (Tom) DeBerg, Cindy (Terrance) Perrson, Rachael (Dan) Kindt all of Gillette, Wyoming, Becky (Rick) Buckholtz of Wright, Wyoming, Debbie (Tim) McGinley of Pearline, Texas, Linda (Pete) Haman of Douglas, Wyoming and John Earl (Kim) Eikenbary of Weatherford, Texas; 14 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, 3 brothers, 2 sisters and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, daughter Jerry, brother Cleo Carter, sisters: Lois, Betty and Ruth, son-in-laws: Bob Isenberger and Bill Camblin, grandson Mike Isenberger, step mother Gay Carter.Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716