Carol Jean Kirkwood Ness passed away on Saturday, Sept. 23, at her home in Kemmerer, surrounded by her loving children and their spouses.
Carol was born on July 27, 1932, the daughter of George Sr. and Rachel (Armstrong) Kirkwood. She was raised and educated in Kemmerer. She married Thomas Ness, Jr., on November 14, 1953, in Kemmerer. She worked for numerous years as an executive secretary for various companies.
She and her husband, Tom, purchased the Kemmerer Bakery in 1972. Carol and Tom owned and operated the Kemmerer Bakery for numerous years.
Carol was a longtime fan of the Wyoming Cowboys — and, in fact, at the time of her death, the television was on and the Wyoming Cowboys had just scored a touchdown. Some of the best years of her life were spent in the Hoback, camping with those she loved the most: her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to sew, and she had a huge crush on John Wayne. She had a passion for playing all kinds of board games with her children and grandchildren. Carol thrived on spending time with her grandchildren. They were the light of her life, and they lifted her up and made her heart happy.
Carol is survived by her children: daughter, Brenda Louise (Larry) Rupnow, of Clark, Colo.; daughter, Mary Coleen (Steve) Schoen, of South Jordan, Utah; and a son, Thomas Arthur (Jenny) Ness, of Diamondville, Wyoming. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: William (Stacy) Thoman, James (Jewly) Thoman, Jeremy (Karen) Schoen, Tyson Ness, Kyle Schoen, Amber Ness, Eric Schoen, Rebecca Rupnow, and Joshua Ness; five great-grandchildren: Lauren Thoman, Preston Thoman, Sophie Thoman, Sam Thoman, and Kensi Schoen. Carol is also survived by her sister, Mickey Fagnant, of Kemmerer; a brother-in-law, Walter Ness, a sister-in-law, Elaine Ness, and a sister-in-law, Arlene Kirkwood.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas Ness, Jr.; her infant son, James David, and her brothers, George Kirkwood Jr., William Kirkwood and Arthur Kirkwood.
Cremation will take place under the care of Ball Family Chapel in Kemmerer.
Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 10:00 a.m. at Ball Family Chapel in Kemmerer. Graveside services will follow at the South Lincoln Cemetery in Kemmerer. Online condolences may be left at
ballfamilychapel.com.
