Ivah Beatrice Hart

Ivah Beatrice Hart, 80, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2020 at her residence in Thermopolis. 

Born March 28, 1940 in Eagle, Colorado, Ivah was the youngest of twelve children of Emory and Margaret (Mather) Blakesley.  The family moved to Grass Creek when Ivah was five.  She attended school at Grass Creek and Thermopolis High School.

On November 21, 1963 she married Jerry Hart in Las Vegas.  The couple traveled the United States attending rodeos and Ivah later helped Jerry build fence around Hot Springs County with the three eldest children in tow.  Many summers were spent at their 485 acre farm on lower Owl Creek. In 1979 they moved to the family farm after their youngest son was born.

A homemaker, she enjoyed cooking which included teaching her daughter-in-law's how to cook wild game. Much of her time was spent cooking meals for family and friends during brandings and sheep shearings.  Her children recall living in a sheep wagon at times. When the children were older she attended their basketball, football games and track meets and helped with their animals at the county fair.  She liked camping, the great outdoors and watching rodeos.  Her love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren exceeded her other activities.

Ivah was a member of the Risen Son Southern Baptist Church, Eastern Star for a short time and a longtime member of the VFW.  She was a Foster Grandparent at Ralph Witters Elementary School.  For a time, she was employed at the First National Bank in Thermopolis.

Those cherishing her memory are her children, David (Cathi) Hart of Thermopolis, Enoch (Heather) Hart of Casper, Shonna (Rik) Avant of Oakdale, CA and Lola Jones of Fruita, CO; grandchildren, Christopher, Chelsie Costello, Cheyenne Avant, Cyle Kennedy, Chance Jones, Alexandra and Sloan Hart; and five great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, eight brothers, four sisters and ex-husband of 25 years, Jerry Hart.

Memorial services will be held Monday, June 22, 10:00 AM at Mortimore Funeral Home with Stillwater Hospice Chaplin, Joyce Harkins, officiating.

Mortimore Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages may be offered at http://www.mortfh.com.