Christine Wren (Penick) Schirmer

Christine Wren Penick Schirmer, a lifelong resident of Chugwater, Wyoming, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the age of 69, after a long battle with health issues.

In the late summer of 1951, on August 31th, Christine Wren Penick, was born in Wheatland, Wyoming to the proud parents, Frances and Eugene Penick.  Older brother, William “Bill” Penick welcomed his new baby sister.  Not long after, brother, Michael Penick arrived, completing the family.  Christine grew up in a loving home on the family’s homestead, in the farming community between Platte and Goshen Counties.  Memories and pictures tell tales of the siblings riding horseback to the Iowa Flats School house, several miles from the farm.  Christine was an accomplished pianist and singer and the family would often gather for musical entertainment.  With a heart for adventure, Christine graduated from Chugwater High School in Chugwater, Wyoming and set off to enjoy a life of endless possibilities, love, and lessons that remind us there is truly no place like home. 

Just before she turned 20, she had twins, welcoming her sons, Eric Curtis and Shane Craig into her life.  Motherhood would become her calling as she married Tom Marlatt and added her daughters, Kristi Elisa and Rosemary Lorraine to her heart.  The family traveled due to Tom’s military career.  They would live in Georgia, South Carolina, California, and even Germany for a few years.  Home has always been Chugwater and Christine once again packed up her brood and moved home.  After her marriage with Tom ended, Christine rekindled an old high school romance and on February 24, 1984, Steven Schirmer married his “Schweethart”, Christine.  The blended family now included Steven’s children, Steven Jr. and Catherine Schirmer.  Christine and Steven together had, James Douglas Schirmer, giving the family a full and happy home.  The family did what was necessary to make ends meet, making the decision to move out with some of Steve’s brothers to Battle Mountain, Nevada and the prospect of gold mining.  There, Christine found a strong foundation in her belief as a Jehovah’s Witness as the church congregation from Winnemucca, Nevada strengthened and encouraged her.  Quick-witted and heart-felt, Chris was a friend and mother who spoke in honesty and truth and always with a strong faith in Jehovah.  As her children grew up, none of them forgot the core foundations their mom had laid out for them.  She was a living example of her faith in God and worked hard, no matter the task.

 She will be remembered for the delicious shakes she could conjure up during her years of employment with Barb Dayton, at the Chugwater Soda Fountain.  Her grandbabies would soon be born and she was known to them as “Grandma Huggie Buggie.”  Her years of retirement were spent on the farm, camping, and fishing with her Schweethart.  She greatly enjoyed studying her faith with brothers and sisters from Torrington.  Christine ended life where she began it—living on the family homestead with her husband and taking her final hours where she was born, Wheatland, Wyoming. 

Christine is survived by her brother, Michael Penick; husband, Steven Schirmer; children, Eric Marlatt, Shane Marlatt, Kristi (Marlatt) Lindsay, Rosemary (Marlatt) Sessions, James Schirmer, Steven Schirmer, Jr, and Catherine Schirmer; grandchildren, Devin Marlatt, JonTomas Marlatt, Skyler Thompson, Kalyn Thompson, Alax Baysinger, and Allyson Schirmer; great-grandchild, Graham Baysinger, and great-grandbaby to-be Marlatt; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by parents, Frances and Eugene Penick and brother, William Penick. 

Words cannot express the gratitude she and the family have for niece, Crystal Anderson, who lovingly offered her home and support for her final hours.  Her sister-in-law, Barb Fletcher and niece, Leslie Sanderson, and best friend, Marie Schirmer, were her rock and support during this time.  Also in her heart was her sister-in-law, Verna Penick; daughters-in-law, Rebecca Marlatt Morash, Lanie Brophy, Mary Bloom Schirmer, and Megan Ashe; sons-in-law, William Lindsay and Justin Sessions; granddaughters-in-law Chasity Baysinger and Monique Edens; granddaughter by proxy, Jayden Morash. 

The family will gather in celebration of the life of Christine Schirmer at a future date and will post the announcement for the memorial as decided. 

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.

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