LESLIE LANE (KILGORE) EATHORNE

  Leslie Eathorne, 82, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the Douglas Care Center in Douglas, Wyoming with her loving husband, Frank, at her bedside.

Leslie Lane (Kilgore) Eathorne was born in Bloomington, Illinois on Friday, December 11, 1942, the daughter of William R. and Mary Helen (Prichett) Kilgore.  She grew up with six siblings and was known as independent, a socialite, and the nurturer of her family.

She attended schools in the Tampa, Florida area and graduated from Robinson High School with the Class of 1961.  She then earned a degree from Tampa Business College, which led her to a job at Charter Mortgage Company, and then the infamous Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach, Florida working in the Bureau of Fisheries office.  She met her future husband, Frank Eathorne, in the Tampa, Florida area while he was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base.  They were married on September 25, 1965.

After Frank’s military obligation was fulfilled in 1967, they moved to the family ranch north of Douglas, where they remained (except for a five-year stint in Pueblo, CO).  Leslie thoroughly enjoyed her transition from the beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida to the sagebrush and cactus plains of eastern Wyoming.  She quickly adapted to ranch life, including learning from Frank’s mother and grandmother how to prepare a meal for 50-plus guests for the annual calf branding. (She had confessed to Frank, before they were married, that she had not been interested in learning to cook (though her mother was an excellent cook), as she intended to have an office career as a single person.)  She made many good friends in her new home, among them Margaret Levasseur and Bobbi Werner, who were helpful to her in her new career.  Margaret advised Leslie to never learn how to milk a cow – unless you wanted a permanent job milking cows! 

Leslie’s family grew as sons William Frank and Michael Glenn and daughter Jennifer Lynn were born.  Leslie was an active member of Converse County Cowbelles and Northwest Local and Converse County Farm Bureau, as well as Wyoming Farm Bureau.

She is survived by her husband, sister, three children, nine grandkids, and one great grandson who each had a special place in her heart . . . her legacy lives on.

A few of her favorite things were family dinners, time with grandkids, Christmas, sewing, gardening, baking, and teaching Sunday School.

She modeled loving the Lord with all her heart and showing it in her service to others.  She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving sister, selfless mother, and a grandma like no other.

She will forever be in our hearts.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Frontier Baptist Church, 2345 East Richards Street, Douglas, Wyoming with Pastor Tim Ricker officiating, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Dry Creek Sunday School in care of Dave Pellatz, 671 Steinle Road, Douglas, Wyoming 82633; Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921-3668 or www.compassion.com; and a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gorman.com

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