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Mary Kealear-Raecke

Mary Kealear-Raecke

Jan 25, 1918 - Jul 9, 2019
Mary Kealear-Raecke, 101, of Riverton passed away at Sage West Hospital – Lander on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. A rosary will be recited at 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at Davis Funeral Home, with viewing to follow. The graveside funeral service will be held 9:00 am on Monday, July 15, 2019, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lander.

Mary Doris Werts was born on January 25, 1918 in Milford, MO to Clarence and Maude (Rector) Werts. She grew up in Lamar, MO with her three sisters and a brother. She graduated high school with the class of 1935. She attended Oklahoma State University for a couple years where she pursued a degree in teaching.

She travelled to Wyoming to visit family and met her future husband, Alfred “Dusty” Kealear and they wed in 1939. They had a daughter, Minnie, and lived in various places around Fremont County finally settling in Lander where Dusty became the Brand Inspector and Deputy Sheriff. Mary worked at various retail stores in Lander, including, McRae Drug, JC Penney, and Ben Franklin. Dusty passed away in 1962 and Mary remarried in 1965 to Eric Raecke. Together they ran the “Country Bottle Shop” liquor store in Lander. Eric passed away in 1979.

After her retirement in 1995, she lived at Sertoma in Riverton and worked there for several years as a Senior Companion.

Mary was a charter member of Fremont County Cowbells. She liked crocheting, reading, embroidery and quilting, but most of all she loved visiting and being with all her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary was of the Episcopal faith and attended church in Lander at Trinity Episcopal and Riverton at St. James Episcopal.

She is survived by her daughter, Minnie Appelhans and husband, Dennis; grandchildren, Lisa Appelhans, Annje Esvelt and husband, Ryan, Warren Appelhans and wife, Jamie, Heather Kuzara and husband, Mike, and Dustee Martinet and husband, Frank; eight great grandchildren- Cody, Audrey, Gracie, Taryn, Sophia, Clara, Ethan and Blake; two step-sons, Eric Raecke and wife, Claudia, David Raecke and wife, Judy and their families; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Maude Werts; husbands, Dusty Kealear and Eric Raecke; three sisters and one brother; great granddaughter, Hailey Esvelt; and great grandson, Colby Martinet.

Memorials may be made to Westward Heights Care Center in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501.

On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.

Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.