Olga Frances Kirkwood

Olga Frances Kirkwood, age 100, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Evanston, Wyoming.

Olga was born on March 4, 1919, in Sublet, Wyoming, the daughter of John and Maria (Proust) Zebre.  She was the fifth of six children.  She had three brothers and two sisters.  When she was only 9 years old, her father died as a result of a coal mine accident.  The family then moved to Frontier, Wyoming, where an industrious mother did what she had to do to raise six children.  She taught her children the value of hard work.  Olga was very active in high school being a cheerleader and homecoming queen.  She graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1939. 

On September 18, 1939 she married Allan Kirkwood in Kemmerer, Wyoming.  Four children were born to this union.  After a short time living in Montpelier, Idaho, the family settled in Kemmerer.  She and Allan were married for fifty years until he died in 1990.

Olga was an ambitious, hardworking woman who worked outside the home to help her family and make sure all her children had a chance to go to college.  She worked at the J.C. Penney Mother Store in Kemmerer for over thirty years starting on the floor as a clerk and working her way up to office manager.  She met James Cash Penney several times.  She was a caring mother, grandmother.  She had thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

After her retirement and Allan’s passing, she continued to lead an active life.  She could always be found working in her yard and flower beds.  She loved her time spent at the Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center visiting with her friends.  One of her favorite things to do was taking trips to Wendover and Riverton to attend the casinos.  Olga was a faithful Catholic and was always active in her parish community.  She always contributed her homemade noodles and poticias to the church bazaars where they were sold quickly.  Olga was always an outgoing woman with many friends.  

In 2014, Olga became a resident of Rocky Mountain Care Center in Evanston, WY.  She lived there until her peaceful passing on October 24, 2019.  She received loving care there and her family greatly appreciates all they did for Mom.  

Olga is survived by her son, Allan and a daughter Mary Frances, numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She was a wonderful mother and grandmother.  We were all fortunate to have had her in our lives.

Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. At St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. At St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kemmerer, with Father David celebrating the Mass.

Interment will follow services at the South Lincoln Cemetery, Kemmerer, WY.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kemmerer, or to the Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center.  

Ball Family Chapel of Kemmerer has been entrusted to arrangements.