SHERIDAN -- A private memorial service will be held at a later date for Sheridan resident Jane Durkee, 77, who died Feb. 18, 2006, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

Born June 13, 1928, she was the daughter of Pauline and Henry Lewis; was raised in the Sheridan area with three sisters and three brothers; and spent her childhood working on ranches with her family and "raising Cain" with two of her brothers.

She received an "emergency" degree and became a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Recluse.

In 1952, her brother, Ralph, introduced her to his U.S. Air Force buddy, Carl L. Durkee; and they fell in love. The couple married later that year.

They raised their family in Meeteetse until her husband became disabled. They then moved to Casper so that she could work. She was a bookkeeper in the Casper area for many years.

When their three children were grown, she and her husband returned to Sheridan. She cared for him until his death in 1983, after 31 years of marriage.

She dearly loved the Big Horn Mountains; cooking for her beloved family whenever possible; and "being around anything to do with horses."

Survivors include two daughters and their husbands, Patricia "Pat" Beard and Polly Carpenter; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Conner and Jo Smith of Sheridan; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Jerry; a granddaughter; her brothers, Jack, Ralph and Bob Lewis; and a sister, Jenny Moyer.

Memorials may be made to the Sheridan High School Rodeo Club, in care of Janet Bishop, First Federal Savings Bank, P.O. Box 6007, Sheridan, WY 82801.

Kane Funeral Home of Sheridan was in charge of arrangements.