Cecil Thomas Engels

Cecil Thomas Engels, age 97, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away September 18, 2023 at Garden Square Assisted Living. He was born in Townsend, Montana on March 17, 1926 to Harold Gibson and Florence Engels. Cecil grew up there for a short time and then moved to Midwest, Wyoming. His father worked in the oilfields and his mother was a cook at the Man Camp preparing three meals per day for 500 workers. His mother died of double pneumonia when Cecil was 9 years old. Cecil’s uncle Fred Engels “Stub” adopted him, and they moved to Stub’s homestead between Casper and Midwest.

In 1940, Cecil attended high school in Sheridan. When he was a sophomore, he worked at the Crescent Hotel as a Bell Hop. Cecil also worked at a bowling alley and pool hall while in Sheridan. When he was 17-18 years old, Cecil worked on a ranch near Ingomar, Montana. He worked 2-3 years at the ranch and then moved on to another ranch to cowboy.

Cecil served for 2 years in the US Army at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Cecil moved back to Midwest and was a ranch hand. His uncle stub bought 50-100 head of longhorns, which they trailed to Gillette. Cecil cowboy’d until he was in his 40’s.

His various jobs in Montana were haying, flagging on highways, couriering for seven banks, driving taxi, delivering papers, cleaned night clubs, worked at service stations, and worked for Coca Cola. Cecil was very dedicated to working hard all of his life.

Cecil was 40 years old when he married Shirley Johnson who he met through square dancing. She was 6 years older than Cecil and had a son and a daughter. Their square dance classes and trips took them to many places.

In 1972, Cecil moved to Casper from Miles City, Montana. Cecil loved the old country music and the Grand ole Opry. He met and married Mildred Setner in 1975. Mildred had four children. Mildred passed in 2001.

Cecil worked for Copper Coating in several states painting large tanks. Cecil worked for Casper Lumber for 25 years where he worked until his retirement.

He met his friend Anne (Beulah Anne Harnden) in 2000 and she passed away in 2010. Cecil and Anne enjoyed traveling to several places.

During his retirement years he enjoyed building a garage and making improvements to his home.

Cecil always enjoyed celebrating his St. Patrick’s Day Birthday. For many years, he wore his one-piece green suit with a green wig and would attend birthday celebrations in “Cecil” style.

Cecil had fond memories of many friends and family he met during his interesting life.

His most current fond memories were made at Hayden’s place where he would go for breakfast. He would make coffee and tea on some mornings to help the wait staff. He was like family to most at Hayden’s Place and even was called grandpa to many.

Most recently he enjoyed weekend lunches or breakfasts with his dear friends Darlene Wolf, Gene Wolfe, Susie and Larry Sexton, Barbara and Max Howard, Evelyn, Patsy Dyer and many others. During his lifetime he acquired many stories and loved to share them.

Remembering some of his family and friends along the way: Sis, Sue, Jerry, Echo, Kaleb, and Kendell Smith, Bob and Nancy Clark, Carol and Larry Kangas, Rosie and Art Smith, Rose Cash, Ernie and Shirley Strothers, Linda and Robert Hillsendager, Sherri Roberts, Garden square staff and numerous others.

His family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at Garden Square Assisted Living and Central Wyoming Hospice for all their care for Cecil.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 2:30pm at Highland Cemetery.