Grace Rogers

Grace Eva (Cossart) Rogers, loving mother of Barbara, Billy, and Karen, passed away at the amazing age of 99 years on July 26, 2018 in Casper, WY. Mom was born in Crivitz, WI., March 30, 1919. Her parents Ralph and Ruth (Palmer) Cossart met in South Dakota where he was a teacher and she a homemaker. Mom, along with her sisters Frances, Velma, and Roberta, and brothers Lawrence and Roger worked on the family farm near Elm Springs, South Dakota when their father began to farm. Mom spoke often of helping drive the horse team during haying season. She could milk the cows, tend the cattle, and loved to ride horses with her brother Lawrence. When little brother Roger was born she even picked out his name. Grace attended New Underwood High School graduating in 1939. Mom was active in Girls Glee, student council, and most of all enjoyed drama club being in many school plays. During high school, she lived in the school dorm where she became part of a large extended family of friends. Mom attended New Underwood High School reunions through her 62 reunion where she would once again become that high school girl with her old classmates. Mom married dad, Mack Rogers in Casper in September of 1946. They made their home in Casper raising their children, Billy, Karen, and Barbara. Mom was a homemaker during her early marriage. Her specialty was taking care of her family, baking awesome spiral date cookies, cinnamon rolls, and breads. She created a warm and welcoming home for family and friends. Her smile and laugh will not be forgotten. Mom loved to read. She was a western history buff and could talk for hours with son-in-law Rick about the fur traders, early explorers, Cattle Kate, the Johnson County War, and explorers Lewis and Clark. With family she followed the Lewis and Clark Trail from St. Louis, Mo, to Astoria, Oregon. She took elder classes of interest to her at Casper College. When Dad passed in 1977 mom sold her home and moved to Laurel Gardens in Casper, living there 28 years. She took over the Laurel Gardens activity group organizing and planning birthday parties and monthly dinners. Mom loved to travel and never passed up an invitation to travel with brothers and sisters and her children. She loved Arizona and Sedona, traveling the Columbia River from Kennewick, WA., to Astoria, OR. She loved family trips going to West Virginia and sightseeing in Washington D.C. She loved historic lodges in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, liked walking the scenic pathway in Canada looking at Niagara Falls, and visiting museums of western history in Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington. Mom spent the last 20 some years of her working career working for Kenny Okes at Okes Jewelry in Casper. She was a saleswoman and later managed the downtown store for Okes. Mom had been a resident at Shepherd of the Valley Heath Care since 2011. She spent her time reading and was able to continue to walk and visit staff and residents on her daily strolls through Shepherd. She always looked beautiful as the girls in the beauty shop fixed her hair every Tuesday. Mom had a smile for everyone she met and greatly appreciated the nurses, CNA's, and housekeeping that cared for her daily and kept her room. Mom had a gently spirit, a caring heart and love for her family. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Mack; son Roger (Billy) Felton 2011; brothers Roger (Beverly) Cossart, and Lawrence Cossart; sisters Frances Cossart, Velma Williams, Roberta Currey; parents Ralph and Ruth Cossart. Mom is survived by her daughter Barbara (Rick) Davis of Glenrock, WY. and daughter Karen Wilhelm of Kennewick, WA., and daughter-in-law Linda Felton of Casper, WY. She is also survived by Grandchildren: Chad (Marsha) Davis Glenrock, WY.; Shelley Silvers and Lisa (Dave) Wight of Kennewick, WA., and Jennifer Swank of Casper, WY.; eight great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews from California to West Virginia. Our family will miss her gentle nature, encouraging words, her smile and laugh, holding her hand, and her kisses'. Private services were held July 31, 2018.