Carole Ann Tucker, life long resident of Sheridan, WY, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at her home.

She was born on October 31, 1936 to Fern (Wilson) and Thomas N. Fraser at the Sheridan County Memorial Hospital. During her early childhood, she lived with her family on a ranch near Decker, MT, then moved with her mother and younger brother, Larry Thomas Fraser, to attend school in Sheridan.

During high school, she worked at the Orpheum Theatre, was a member of the Jobs Daughters, and danced in many high school musicals graduating in the Class of 1955.

She married Eugene Songer in June of 1955.

They divorced and she later married Vern Tucker on May 7, 1964.

Carole worked in Sheridan’s downtown business community until her retirement. Following school she was employed at First Federal Savings Bank, Tucker’s Office Equipment and in 1980 became owner of the Golden Crown Hallmark store and later expanded as a partner in LouAnn’s Hallmark. She retired in 1999 selling the store and beginning a joyful retirement that included many family gatherings, travel to Hawaii, Australia, Alaska and many trips to visit family and friends.

She continued to contribute to the Sheridan Community by serving on the Election Board and volunteered at Sheridan County Memorial Hospital, the YMCA, and Senior Center.

Carole will be remembered as a person with an expansive notion of family; friends were treated as family and family were friends. She was incredibly inclusive and quick to embrace each new individual important to anyone already in her ever-expanding family.

She loved to organize reunions and events to bring together friends, immediate family, cousins, and Classmates of 1955.

Carole will be remembered as energetic, engaging, empathetic, a patient listener, and supremely organized. She had an abundance of courage, independence, tolerance, charm, wit, and sense of fun. She was passionate about the natural beauty of the Sheridan area and loved to create beauty in her yard and home.

Preceding her in death are her parents, stepfather - Dudley L. Cunningham, brother - Larry T. Frazer and Vern Tucker.

She is survived by her son, Michael Eugene Songer (Karen) of Billings, MT; three daughters–Natalie Cornelius (Rich) of Gillette, WY, Tanna Trout (Rick) of Casper, WY, Connie Schroeder (Dean) of Valparaiso, IN; and grandchildren–Lindsey Trout, Carrie Rhea, Curtis Merriam, Lexie Schroeder, Ian Songer, Liz Schroeder and Tori Schroeder.

The family request that memorial donations be made in Carole A. Tucker’s name to the City of Sheridan, Public Arts, P.O. Box 848, Sheridan, WY 82801 to fund “The Dance” sculpture by James N. Muir or The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Fund, Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

The family would like to express our deep appreciation to the compassionate staff at the Hospice of the Big Horns, extended family and many friends who supported us in the care of our beloved mother.

The Sheridan Press - November 4, 2009.