Barbara (Strube, Sigler) Yonts

Barbara J. (Strube, Sigler) Yonts of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on April 3, 2024, at Banner Wyoming Medical Center.  She was 86.  Barbara (Barb) was born on April 11, 1937, to Helen A. (Cook) and Beecher J. Strube in Lance Creek, Wyoming.  Barbara grew up a “country girl” with the protection of two older brothers.

Barb attended school in Lance Creek and graduated from Lusk High School in 1955. Barb, along with her brothers, spent much time working and playing on the Cook Family Ranch northeast of Lusk.  Barb and her brothers loved attending high school reunions each summer in Lusk. 

Barb moved to Denver, Colorado in 1955 where she worked for Continental Oil Company in the Marketing Department. At the time she was just eighteen, so she needed a signed permission-release form from her mother to receive paychecks. It was at Continental where she met William (Bill) Sigler. They were married on May 8, 1965.  The couple moved to Oklahoma and then Houston, Texas in 1967.  Barb gained three stepchildren whom she loved dearly.  Barb always enjoyed spending time with them.

Barb and Bill owned a sailboat and enjoyed taking friends and family sailing on Galveston Bay. Many relatives from Wyoming especially enjoyed the opportunity to be spoiled with that luxury.  After settling into a new home with a pool in the backyard, the trips to the bay slowed to an end, but the pool parties began.  Barb thoroughly loved hosting family and friends in her Houston home. 

Bill passed away of cancer in 1984.  Barb continued to work for Conoco and transferred to Casper in 1986.  She did not mind the climate change because of the opportunity to be closer to family.  Barb’s move to Casper was fortunate. She was able to live in the same town as her oldest brother and his three children, and enjoyed being nearer to cousins, her stepson Mark, and old friends. 

Barb met her love, Robert (Bob) Yonts, at the Casper Conoco office. They dated for a brief time and were married on August 29, 1993. Barb and Bob enjoyed life together for over 30 years. Barb also gained new “kids”/family members: Clint, Cal, Cindy, and Craig, in addition to their children, grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren.  

Barb’s love of hosting parties and gatherings continued to grow in frequency and size.  Holiday and birthday parties were typically large and festive—all to her liking.

Barb had a huge heart for helping others. She cared for her stepdaughters Sheri (Sigler) Downs and Joni (Sigler) Lake when they were sick. Barb returned to Houston for many weeks as Sheri underwent cancer treatment. Barb also assumed the role as nurse and caregiver for her two older brothers when needed. Bob’s Mother, Eva, received loving care while living with them for several years.

Barb loved the outdoors, gardening, animals, and took up snowmobiling and bowling with friends. Her loving husband Bob, however, knew that her “happy place” was in her garden, digging in the dirt. That hobby began early in her life with her mother and grandmother.

Upon retiring in 1993, Barb and Bob were able to take trips to Alaska, Australia, and New Zealand, along with making numerous trips to Texas to spend time with Bob’s children.  

Barb is survived by her loving husband Bob of Casper; stepchildren Clint (Tami) Yonts, Cal (Susan) Yonts all of Midland, Texas; Cindy Pope of Levelland, Texas; Craig Yonts of Casper; Mark Sigler (Kathy) of Weatherford, Texas; and grandson Matt (Tami) Fresquez of Houston, Texas.  She is also survived by niece Debbie (Guy) Strube-Ehlers; niece Devon Strube; and nephew Beecher (Cathy) Strube all of Casper; cousin Tena Cook of Chadron, Nebraska; nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, numerous great-grandnieces and grandnephews; several great-great grandnephews and grandnieces; and many dear friends.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Bill Sigler (first husband); stepdaughters Sheri Downs and Joni Lake; brothers Martin Strube and Beecher “Ed” Strube; as well as Harold and Eva Yonts (father and mother in-law).

Funeral services will be held at Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home (Casper). Visitation will be April 12, 2024, from 9:00 to 10:00 am.  The service will begin at 10:00 am with Pastor Bruce Sell officiating. A brief reception will follow. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed and may be viewed by clicking the following link:  https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=0f0c6227-6b95-4183-b0d2-ccf2059a9157

The burial will take place at the Lusk, Wyoming Cemetery at 3:00 pm on April 12^th with Pastor Caleb Kremers officiating.  In-lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.  Donations can be mailed to PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or done online at https://www.cancer.org>donate.