Remembering Uncle Carl

My Uncle Carl passed away August 25th at home, with his dear wife Sharon by his side. He had been battling cancer for over a year. It's a cliche ~ but still true ~ he's better off now, as his quality of life had deteriorated. Mercifully, he also did not seem to suffer too much pain.

He was born July 3, 1936 in Cheyenne. He was a healthy nine pound baby boy! 

Uncle Carl went to a one-room school house through the eighth grade. Starting with the ninth grade, he went to school in town.

 Uncle Carl and Grandpa Federer with the FFA steers

When Carl started high school, he wrestled, was active in FFA and was a C-Club fight champion. After he graduated from high school in 1954, he worked for a year on the family ranch. Because there was a drought, he went to work as an apprentice at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 192 and never went back to ranching with his Dad.

Uncle Carl owned his own plumbing contracting business and contracted the plumbing and pipefitting for homes with Federer Consolidated, Romsa Construction and others.

Uncle Carl was always a cowboy and dressed the part. His adolescent years were good ones. His brothers coached him, and he became a tough individual. He was a hard worker. Uncle Carl loved horses and was constantly participating in rodeos. He had many broken bones, broken teeth and scars throughout the years.

Yep, that's my Uncle Carl. The bronc he was riding jumped the fence and this picture was made into a postcard!

Uncle Carl was a long-time member of the PRCA and rode barebacks, saddle broncs and bulls; he rode more than 100 head of broncos between 1954 and 1970 and only was bucked off once. 

Uncle Carl and his teammates won the Denver Post Wild Horse Race at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1960. 

Uncle Carl rode in the Frontier Days parades and was a lifelong CFD volunteer. He also enjoyed playing English Polo for many years, winning several team championships during that time.

 Wild Horse Race at Cheyenne Frontier Days

Three generations of Wild Horse Race competitors ~ Uncle Carl, my nephew Jimmy and my brother Lloyd.

Jimmy and Uncle Carl ~ July 2011

Uncle Dale ~ Uncle Carl ~ Aunt Bernice ~ Dad ~ Aunt Kay

My Dad loved to have reunions at his place. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters.

Dad  ~ My brother Kenny ~ Me ~ Uncle Carl ~ My sister Roseanne

Parker/Federer Family Reunion 2009

Federer Family Centennial Homestead Celebration 2011

The last time I saw Uncle Carl was at Theo's wedding in April. We all hoped he would feel good enough to attend. When Kenny and I saw him walk in just moments before the wedding began, we were so happy. I have talked to Uncle Carl on the phone a few time since. He told me I was a good niece and that he loved me and my brothers.

A few months ago I made this afghan for Uncle Carl. I wanted give him something that would bring him some comfort. I thought of the afghan because I know Grandma would have made him one. He enjoyed using it on cool nights in Wyoming.

Uncle Carl married an angel on June 16, 2007. 

 August 2011

Sharon was a devoted wife and lovingly took care of Uncle Carl these past months. I'm so thankful I got to know her. She is very talented, so sweet and kind.

As my nephew Jimmy said, "Good ride cowboy, good ride..."

Hold the ones you love, tight, 

we never know what tomorrow may bring