Darlene Splittgerber

Darlene Bomer Splittgerber died July 15 at the Mitchell (NE) Care Center following a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 2pm Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Torrington, WY with Pastor Scott Firminhac officiating. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 17th at Colyer Funeral home in Torrington, the family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. Cremation will follow the services and burial of the ashes will be in Wayne, NE at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send their condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com . Darlene, daughter of Monta and Elizabeth (Engle) Bomer was born October 15, 1915 in Mills County, Iowa. The Bomer family of six moved to a farm in Wayne, Nebraska the spring of 1919. Darlene attended District 51 Country school for eight years. She graduated from Wayne High School with the class of 1933. She earned her teaching degree at Wayne State Teachers College and taught school at District 5, Altona, Nebraska for three years. She married Ernest Splittgerber on January 29, 1938 at the Christian Church in Wayne, Nebraska. Darlene was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Wayne on June 13, 1943, where the family became members. The couple farmed and fed cattle south of Wayne until February 22, 1947 when the family of five moved to the ranch homesteaded by Ernest’s parents in the Prairie Center Community 35 miles north of Torrington, WY . Another child was born in Torrington in 1950. The Splittgerbers enjoyed being involved in the community and in their children’s activities including school, 4-H, sports, and piano recitals. Darlene spent her life volunteering in her community. She and neighbor Ruby Hahn organized Sunday School at the Prairie Center School Building which continued for 13 years. Her interest in young people also led her to being a 4-H leader for more than 30 years. She mentored her own and other community children in numerous activities, including livestock judging, public speaking, cattle and sheep showmanship. She was known for getting “the best” out of her members, and several have recently thanked her for the positive impact she had on their lives. She and her husband were chosen to served as chaperones for Wyoming 4-Hers who won trips to the Denver Stock Show and the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, IL. She served as officer on local, county and state committees and served as president of nearly every organization to which she belonged, and there were many. Darlene was a Charter member of Goshen County Cow Belles, later Cattlewomen, where she remained an active member for more than 50 years. She was also a member of that group’s state and national organizations, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and Farm Bureau, Goshen County Historical Society and Wyoming Simmental Association. Darlene was involved in many projects over the years. One of her favorites was the Brand Room at the Rendezvous Center at the Goshen County Fairgrounds. She conceived the idea after seeing brands at the Wyoming Stock Grower’s office in Cheyenne. She presented her idea of placing Goshen County brands on the walls to the Cattlewomen, who approved it, and enlisted the help of other members to sell the idea to the county commissioners and the fair board. She spent tireless hours for many years collecting branding irons and corresponding histories (which appear in two books). The project spanned many years and was completed in 2010. Darlene loved to write and her articles about Simmental cattle, history of Prairie Center Community, and other topics appeared in several publications. She and her husband were also featured in articles in livestock publications. They began raising Simmental cattle in the late 1960’s and their show cattle won awards in competitions in Louisville, KY, Houston, TX and the Denver Stock Show. Buyers from across the country won many shows with calves they purchased at the couple’s annual Club Calf sale. Ernest died in 1981, and Darlene moved to Torrington in 1986 where she became more active in Our Saviour Lutheran Church as a member and officer of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Lydia and Mary Martha Circles, Evangelism Committee and assisted with devotions at Goshen Care Center. For many years, she delivered tapes with Sunday services to members who were unable to attend. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ernest; sisters Velma Holt, Dorothy Gunnette and Wauneita Shain, an infant sister; and great-grandson Jacob Splittgerber. Survivors are daughters, Jeanine Loose, Hayward, CA and Angie (Johnny) Chavez, Torrington, WY; sons Loren (Lyn) Splittgerber, Tucson, AZ; and Joel (Nida) Splittgerber, Valley Center, CA; grandsons Brek Splittgerber, Eugene, OR; Brandon Loose, Pleasanton, CA; Tory Babcock, Torrington, WY; Dustin Loose, Las Vegas, NV; Kyle Splittgerber, San Francisco, CA; Jeannilyn (Ryan) Turnello, San Diego, CA; Jed Splittgerber (Meghann), Boise, ID; and Kevin Splittgerber, San Diego; great-granddaughter Stephanie Loose, Los Angeles, CA; and great-grandson, Milo Splittgerber, Boise ID; Step-grandchildren Laura (Kevin) Walton, Dave (Sam) Babcock and Brett Babcock all of Big Piney, Wy and Wes (Sue) Babcock of Tuscon, AZ and 10 step-great grandchildren; brother-in-law george Splittgerber, Ft. Collins, CO; and many nieces and nephews. Darlene asked that memorial donations be directed to either Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Torrington or the 4-H program.

Darlene Splittgerber

October 15, 1915 - July 15, 2012