Jan Bauer

Jan Bauer: 1943 – 2025

Jan was born November 4, 1943, in New York City to Jeanette Dunlop Turner, joining her older sister, Ann and, later, a younger brother, James. When she was seven, the family moved to Apache Junction, Arizona to operate the Canyon Rock Lodge on the slope of Superstition Mountain. That’s where her love for the outdoors and horseback riding began.

Jan graduated from Scottsdale High School and married Dan Morton. They welcomed their first son, Robert Danson in 1961. He passed away in 1963. They had Robert Bruce in 1964, followed by Ann Lee, in 1965. The family later moved from Scottsdale to Tucson where Dan began a career in real estate.

In 1976, Jan helped her best friend, Pam Kevin Chambers, move back home to Casper, Wyoming. During the move, Jan fell in love with Wyoming and, following her divorce from Dan, she moved to Douglas. Jan met and fell in love with Gene Bauer; they married in 1980. They made their home on the Garland’s 6G Ranch near Esterbrook and enjoyed camping, hunting, and taking care of their horses. They both worked for Exxon’s Highland Uranium Mine outside of Douglas. She worked her way up from underground miner to Radiation Safety Officer. She was very proud of her work in the uranium industry. Gene passed away in 1995 and is buried on the 6G.

Jan began her next adventure by moving to Gillette in 2004 to live near her daughter and grandsons, Jacob and Lucas Edwards. They were her pride and joy, and she would do anything to spoil them! She was affectionately known as “GJ” for Grandma Jan.

In 2019, she was baptized in the LDS church and was blessed by her friendships with Lorna DeJong, Malinda Roberts and the Israelsen family. They regularly visited, cared for her and took her to church.

Her health rapidly declined in 2023, and she moved to assisted living in Sundance, then comfort care in Sheridan. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Big Horn Rehabilitation in Sheridan on January 22.

Jan was preceded in death by her two sons; second husband; sister; and mother. She is survived by her daughter, Ann (Steve) Harbour of Gillette; grandsons, Jacob of Ft Collins and Lucas of Cheyenne; and her ex-husband, Dan (now of New Milford, Connecticut) who remained her friend and, in later years, helped with her caretaking.

Her ashes will be interred in Douglas this summer; a service is not planned at this time. Donations may be made to the Anna Bosma Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Big Horn Pediatrics & Family Medicine.


Loretta Lucia Beeson: 1929 – 2025

Loretta Lucia Beeson, aged 95, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on October 8, 1929, in La Grande, Oregon, Loretta was the daughter of Paul Joseph and Lena Margret (Stein) Cook. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1947 and later earned her degree from Eastern Oregon College of Education.

On August 22, 1952, Loretta married the love of her life, John Harrison Beeson, who preceded her in death on June 11, 1991. She was also preceded by her daughter, Marta D (Beeson) Cossitt on July 28, 2015; her sister, Cecilia Celestine Wylde; and her brother, Jerry V. Cook.

Loretta’s teaching career began in La Grande schools until 1954, after which she moved with John to Eugene, Oregon, where she continued to inspire young minds. In 1957, she became the art consultant for the Eugene public schools and even earned her pilot’s license. The family relocated several times, finally settling in Casper, Wyoming. Loretta resumed her teaching career, first as a substitute teacher, then as a full-time art teacher at Glenrock Middle School. She retired in 1986, and spent her retirement years traveling with John until his passing.

Loretta’s adventurous spirit led her to split her time between La Grande and Casper, cherishing the house she was born in and maintaining a vibrant connection to her roots.

Her legacy is one of love, education, and a zest for life.

Loretta is survived by her two sons, Eric Anthony Beeson (Glenda) of Evansville, Wyoming, and Paul Thomas Beeson (Rhondasue) of Casper, Wyoming. She was a proud grandmother to four grandchildren: Anastasia (Joseph) Wheeler, John David Beeson, Angela Beeson, and Mariah Cossitt.

A memorial service will be held graveside at the Island City cemetery on February 12 at 10 a.m. where family and friends will gather to celebrate Loretta’s extraordinary life.