Emma Jean Culey

Mass of Christian burial for Emma Jean Culey will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette with Father Raymond Canete as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Gillette’s Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

Emma Jean L. Culey, 81, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital of natural causes.

Emma Jean was born Sept. 11, 1931, in Liberty, Kan., the daughter of Frank and Katie (Lynn) Sack. She grew up in Wichita, Kan., and attended Liberty Grade School, Cathedral High School and graduated high school in Onida High School. After high school, she worked at various jobs until she married the love of her life, Jerry Culey, on Aug. 13, 1952, in Agar, S.D., and became a full-time wife and mother. Emma Jean and Jerry moved to Gillette in 1994 to be close to their children and grandchildren.

She enjoyed time spent as a member of the Jaycees, Moose Lodge, Altar Society of St. Pius, and St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Emma Jean liked to stay active and loved cooking, camping, playing golf, shooting darts, bowling, and playing card games. She was also a big fan of the Chicago Cubs’ baseball team. Her most favorite times were spent watching her children and grandchildren play in their sports. Emma Jean was a truly amazing woman and she will be dearly missed by all her friends and family.

Emma Jean is survived by her husband. Jerry Culey of Gillette; sons, Don Culey and Bret (Micky) Culey, both of Gillette; daughters, Debbie Hargens, Jerilyn (Larry) Cross, Denise Zeeck, Lisa (Jim) McCue, Kari (David) Barnett, Kelli (Bruce) Nordin, and Cydni (Clint) Burton, all of Gillette; sisters, Regina Aldrich of Seattle, Wash.; Rebecca (Jerome “Bud”) of Onida, S.D.; and Colletta Stewart of Souix Falls, S.D.; as well as by grandchildren, Kenzie, Courtney, Justin, Jeremy, Nathan, Aaron, Duane, Trent, Jessie, Frisbee, Jason, Randi, Ryan, Aric, Kylie, Cori, Bren, Kelsie, Alex, Andrea, Andrew, Austin, Brittany, Abby, Whitnie, Bayelee, Derric and Jayd; great-grandchildren, Jaedian, Jaquory, Jamarien, Jabriel, Alec, Tyler, Blake, Jordyn, Camden, Carson, Easton, Emree, Myles, Max, A’shadaia, Karlie, Raylin, Alden, Destani, Deven, Desire, Clayton, Charlie, Sienna, Parker, Kwynn, Brody, Bentlie, Aevea, Paityn and Kaisyn; great-great grandchildren, Savahanna.

She was preceded in death by her son, Derric “Duke” Culey; parents Frank and Katie Sack; sisters, Helen Mills, Nora Barthelme, Clara Gravley and Marybelle Sack; and brothers, Jim Sack and Bill Johnson.

Memorials to benefit St. Jude’s Childrens Research Center and condolences may be sent in Emma Jean’s name in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY. 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the website www.walkerfuneralhome.com.