Scoop up all the joy!: September 2017

For the third this time this year I drove across I-80 to Cheyenne. This time it was for a memorial service for my oldest brother Kenny. It was raining and snowing in Parley's canyon but after that it was smooth sailing.

I was greeted by this beautiful

rainbow as soon as I got to Cheyenne.

I made it in time to help my nephew Jimmy and my brother Marion set up for the service. We enjoyed our time together.

Jimmy hanging Kenny's tool belt.
Kenny made the table for Mary Kay.

Kenny told Jimmy he wanted his memorial service at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Buckle Club. Kenny was a Frontier Days volunteer for many years and he really enjoyed that. Kenny also remodeled the Buckle Club and was asked to be a member of HEELS in 1994. That is a honor for Frontier Days volunteers.

Jimmy shined up Kenny's pick-up

and parked it in front of the Buckle Club.

Kenny is in the bucket hanging the Frontier Days sign and flags.

Jimmy asked me to write the obituary and share some memories at the memorial service. It was an honor to do that.

Kenneth Dale Federer

Kenneth Dale Federer passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

Kenny was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on August 11, 1949. He grew up on a ranch north of Cheyenne. His grandparents, Theodore and Edna Federer were original homesteaders. He worked along side his Dad and Grandfather doing chores, and taking care of the livestock. He also enjoyed hunting with his Dad and brothers. He attended Ridley School until the 8th grade. It was a two room country school a few miles from the ranch. Kenny graduated from Cheyenne East High School in the top ten percent of his class. While in high school he was a member of the FFA. He took care of the FFA flock of sheep and won several awards. Kenny served many years on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Committee.

Kenny was known as one of the best finish carpenters around. He built and remodeled many homes in the Cheyenne area. His favorite projects were at his Uncle Carl’s home. Carpentry was an art to him and it showed in all his work. Kenny was skilled in leather work, drawing, and also made many beautiful wood tables with inlayed feature pieces.

Kenny is survived by four sons of whom he was very proud of, Kevin (Jennifer) Shunn of Carrollton, Georgia; Carl J. (Ashley) Federer of Glenrock, Wyoming; James (Casey Jo) Federer of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Jake Federer of Glenrock, Wyoming. He is also survived by three brothers; Marion, Ernie (Marilyn), and Lloyd (Rhonda) Federer and two sisters, Roseanne Federer and Eileen Federer (Tim) Williams. He was Grandpa to 12 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ivan L. Federer and Nelle Eileen Ames; and two brothers, Kevin and Les Federer.

A memorial service will be held at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Buckle Club on Saturday, September 23, 2017, beginning at 11:00am.

The family would like to thank the doctors and health care providers at Life Care Center of Cheyenne and at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for their dedication, expertise, and compassionate care.

Cremation was under the direction of Wiedersaphn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes.

Memories of Kenny
September 23, 2017

Picture if you will five boys and two girls along with their parents living in a house with only one bathroom! Oh and by the way, there was only a bathtub, no shower. Somehow we made it work, probably because my brother’s only took a bath once a week! My brother’s shared a room and one can only imagine the horsing around that happened there almost every night. Most nights I could hear Dad calmly telling the boys to settle down. When that didn’t happen I could hear Dad’s feet hit the floor, he was out of bed headed for my brother’s room. Suddenly it got very quiet!

Our home was humble but we had what we needed. My Mom and Dad sacrificed so much to give us a good life. Kenny and my other brothers worked along side Dad and Grandpa Federer doing chores and talking care of the livestock. They learned the value of hard work at a young age. Kenny often talked about how much he enjoyed helping his Grandpa. We all felt so blessed to live within walking distance of our grandparents ranch. They were a positive influence in our life, and shared all they had with us.

Since Kenny was the oldest, he was the first to get a car. I especially loved his white Dodge Charger. As a young girl I thought it was so cool. The dirt road to our house had several hills. I remember going for rides with Kenny, and he would drive rather fast sometimes. We sailed up the hills and by the time we reached the top we were air born. I remember the feeling of finally being on the ground again, but not until we were at the bottom of the hill. We also had fun chasing and hunting rabbits in the White Charger at night.

I had a box in my closet were I would save extra pennies. It was getting really full when one day Kenny asked me if he could borrow some money for gas. I didn’t hesitate, I got my box of pennies and gave it to him. I figured I owed it to him for all those adventurous car rides!

Kenny had a good sense of humor. One day we were talking about the wolf probably in Wyoming. He told me his solution was shoot – shovel – shut-up! We had a good laugh about that.

Kenny was a wonderful artist. I remembered being so impressed with his sketches. I was in junior high and had an assignment due for art class. I do not have the same gift. I asked him if he would draw a horse for me, I didn’t tell him it was for art class. I got a good grade, and I was grateful for such a talented brother!

Kenny did well in school and gradated in the top 10% of his class. He was very involved in FFA, and enjoyed his turn taking care of the FFA flock of sheep. He helped Dad lay brick for awhile, but then became a skilled carpenter. Kenny also loved leather work, drawing, and making wood tables with inlaid feature pieces.

He inherited some of his artistic ability from Grandma Ames. I found several of her sketches in my Mom’s things after she died. His son Kevin and granddaughter McKinley are also talented artists.

Kenny had a few close calls, a terrible wind storm blew a tree over and it landed on top of his car. Thankfully he was not in it. He and Mary Kay along with Carl and Jimmy were almost killed when Kenny reached to pick up a bottle, he over-corrected, and the truck rolled. Kenny hurt his leg pretty bad. The town of Medicine Bow offered some much needed support during that time.

Kenny was a good dancer, I loved dancing with him because it made me look good!

Most recently I enjoyed having lunch with him when I came to town. He loved the taco burgers from Taco Johns. We often met at my Mom’s house and had lunch together. Even when he was so sick, it made his day to have Casey or Jimmy bring him a taco burger. As a side note he did not like mashed potatoes or fruit with seeds in them!

We often reminisced about our life and the farm and the people who helped him along the way. More than once he told me that Jake Day was the best friend he ever had.

Kenny loved his boys and their families. His best days were the ones where he got a text, phone call, or one of them stopped by to see him.

Kenny was not perfect, he could be stubborn and a bit of a hot head sometimes. One of my favorite John Wayne quotes says, “Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.” Kenny did try to take what he learned form yesterday and become a better man. He struggled with health problems, but he still tried to be a good son, dad, grandpa, brother, and friend. When our Mom was so sick, he never missed a day to go visit her. He tried to call or text everyone on their birthdays. He really enjoyed the family reunions we have had over the years. He loved his family. To Kevin, Carl, Jimmy, and Jake and your families, hold on the good memories you have.

Our family has had more than our share of goodbye’s over the past few months and years. It’s not easy, but we have hope that we will see them all again. I’m thankful Kenny is now free from pain and is having fun with our family on the other side. I’m sure he has already overstayed his welcome at Uncle Carl’s heavenly ranch! I am still going to have conversations with my brother, though it will most likely be one-sided. But in the end of every one of them, I will see my brother look at me, like he always did and say, “Love ya sis.” I love you too Kenny.

Eileen Federer Williams

I also prepared a program for the memorial service.

Kenny sketched this picture of the elk, he was an amazing artist.

We celebrated Kenny's life with his sons, his friends, and many of our family members. I got to the Buckle Club at 9:30 and I visited with family members until about 6:00. It was like a family reunion. It was so comforting to be with them. There were lots of hugs and some tears. The best part was being with family members that I have not seen for many years.

Jimmy was a very devoted son, he made sure Kenny had good care. He went to see him often. I am so proud of him. I love him with all my heart.

Kenny's sons... Carl, Kevin, Jimmy and Jake.

My wonderful brothers and nephews, I love them so much.

I have not seen my nephew Kevin in years. He lives in Georgia. I took care of him a lot when he was small, he's my boy. I wish he didn't live so far away.

My dear sweet niece Heidi. She is moving to Michigan next month to be closer to her mom and sister. How I will miss seeing her when I come to Cheyenne.

My niece Mandy make these beautiful cakes. My Mom taught her how to decorate cakes and she used Mom's frosting recipe. Kenny loved taco burgers from Taco Johns, they donated the meat for the taco burgers that we served after the service.

Before I left town I took some flowers to my Mom and my brother's grave. I miss them.

Over the past three years we have said goodbye to six family members... My Mom, Uncle Dale, Aunt Bernice, Casey's son Daniel, Mary Kay, and now Kenny. I don't want to go to anymore funerals for a long time.

The drive home was rough with rain and snow most of the time. I always feel like I have a guardian angel with me. I was grateful to make it home safely.