On November 8, 2002 the Lord sent his angel for Bessie Marie Mumper, 88, beloved mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt and friend.  Her Aunt Mandy delivered her on April 19, 1914 on the family ranch in Kearney, WY.  She grew up, worked and lived on the ranch with her parents, August & Rosa Olson, her sister, Inga Olson McCoy, and her brother, Harry Olson.  Bessie went to grade school & Junior High in Big Horn, WY then was fortunate enough to go to high school and earn a diploma.  She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1932 in Sheridan, WY.  Bessie attended Heiman's Commercial School from 1932-1933 and received a secretarial education.  She worked at the Sheridan County Agricultural Extension Service for 1938-1943.  Bessie married William Lawrence Mumper in January 1944 and later divorced.  The were blessed with a daughter, Margo in 1945.  She worked for the Sheridan County Treasurer from 1950-1951.  Her 31 years of government service were marked by exceptional integrity and dedication as the nursing service secretary for the VA Medical Center in Sheridan, WY.  She began her service at the VAMC in 1951 then retired in 1982 and lived in Sheridan until 1992 when she moved to Bozeman to live with her daughter, Margo Stark.

Her passions over the years included gardening, cooking incredible meals, crossword puzzles, creating exquisite crafts for her friends and family, and collecting and sharing recipes.  She was a devoted and loving mother to her daughter, Margo.  They lived on the family ranch with her mother, Rosa, in Big Horn, WY.  Bessie was an incredibly strong and giving woman with good family values and a generous heart.  She was very patriotic, never missing a voting during an election year.  She loved her family very much, never missing a holiday with her grandchildren or a birthday card for all of her extended family.  She loved attending sporting events for her family members.  Everyone loved to see her in her matching bonnets and tennis shoes.  Bessie was incredibly family oriented who was loved by all and will be greatly missed.  Thank you to all the family and friends who were an important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, August & Rosa Olson, an infant brother, Karl, her sister & brother-in-law, Chuck & Inga McCoy, sister-in-law, Kay Olson, son-in-law, 1st Lt. Hal K. Henderson and nephew, Chuck McCoy.  Bessie is loved and survived by her brother, Harry Olson.  Her daughter, Margo & Rob Stark, 3 grandchildren, Lee & Lisa Nelson, Robert & Erin Turner & Stephen Turner.  She was a GG to 3 great grand-children, Ticer, Maranda & Braden Nelson.  She was Aunt B to her nieces and nephews; Nancy O'Rourke, Peter & Patty Henry, Donna McCoy, Martin & Diana Anderson, Gary & Marsha McCoy; 13 great nieces and nephews and 4 great, great nieces.  A graveside service was held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman with family and friends.