Wanda "Dee" Carroll

Wanda "Dee" Carroll, 68, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord on August 24, 2023 after fighting a valiant and brave battle with ovarian cancer.

Dee, daughter to Nina Mae Watts and George Malven Watts Jr., was born in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, on January 18, 1955. She spent her youth running the hills with her five siblings (Sandy, Melvin, Jim, Rene and Mae) and helping on their ranch near Devils Tower.

After her junior year of high school, she met her loving husband, Peter Kim Carroll. Dee was a devoted wife to Deacon Kim for 49 years; mother to Christopher J. Carroll (Heather), Sabrina M. Rossi (Peter) and Joshua L. Carroll (Katie); and grandmother to many wonderful grandchildren.

Whether an administrator, banker, florist (Dee's Greenhouse), or innkeeper (Lytle Creek Inn B&B), Dee was loving and fearless all wrapped up in one gentle lady. As testimony to this, one night waiting for a guest she caught movement out of her eye and witnessed a mountain lion staring her down through the patio door. Her first reaction was to grab her broom and scoot that critter right off her deck.

She believed in the grace of God, the love of Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ. Dee treasured the land, her home and the peace of the countryside and mountains.

Listening to hymns quietly in the background was one of her favorite ways to pray and give thanksgiving while going about her day. Dee's hospitality knew no limits as she always had enough love for another soul, a cup of coffee, a delicious warm meal, a comfortable bed and above all a greeting of joy and laughter to let you know you were most welcome.

While keeping meticulous notes, she was always researching her next endeavor or how she could most effectively accommodate the palettes that came her way. Tidiness was her calling card, and sentimentality her greatest weakness.

But make no mistake, she had high expectations that goodness, honesty and morality be demonstrated by those around her, and she held all of us to those standards. Dee was gracious and a giving soul to those in need. One of her last wishes for her family was to keep her charities going, especially for those assisting children.

Dee had many loves: the quiet; her faith; flowers and gardening; running her businesses; baking and cooking; watching the birds; admiring the butterflies, bees and storms; her canine pals; camping in the mountains; or sitting by the ocean. But oh, how she cherished her family and friends, loyal to the end no matter their faults. Her greatest dream for all was that we continue chasing rainbows and butterflies and live life with gusto.

Vigil with Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church on Friday, September 1, 2023. Luncheon to follow at St. Matthew's. Burial at the Alva Cemetery (10 miles east of Hulett) at approximately 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blessings in a Backpack. Memorials can be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th St., Gillette, WY 82716 or St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 900 Butler Spaeth Road, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences can also be expressed at http://www.GilletteMemorialChapel.com

We wish to extend a huge thank you to all, especially the doctors, nurses and hospice care workers who assisted Dee on her journey.