Margaret Ellen Bleak

Margaret Ellen (Pickett) Bleak passed away at her home surrounded by family on March 23, 2021.

She was born on January 22, 1939, to Charles William "Pap" and Esther May "Es" (Clendenning) Pickett in Lander, Wyo. Margie grew up on the HM Ranch at the head of the Dunoir Valley west of Dubois, Wyo. After graduation, she married Henry Louis Butler on June 29, 1957. Together they operated the ranch for a year before moving to a ranch on the South Fork of the Shoshone River in Cody Wyo.; then to Jackson, Wyo.; and finally, back to Dubois. From this union three children were born, Michel, Cynthia, and Kelly. Sadly, Lou passed away in 1967.

Now a widow, Margie packed up her three kids and attended University of Wyoming and then a medical technician school in Denver, Colo. She moved back to Dubois, where she met Douglas Bleak in June of 1968, and they worked together at Brooks Lake Lodge (owned by Margie's parents) on the Togwotee Pass. Doug and Margie were married on August 15, 1968 in Arco, Idaho. They added three more children to the family, Shawn, Karen and Justin. Their first home was on Sunnyside Lane near Thermopolis. But their adventurous spirit took them from Wyoming to British Columbia, Canada; to Idaho; then Alaska; and finally, in 1992, back again permanently to Winchester, Wyo. Together they built homes, moved cows, and raised babies, both two and four-legged.

Margie had many passions, including gardening, cooking, canning, and running a small farm. She worked harder than anyone else. Ever. But most of all, she was passionate about her family; her husband, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, and everyone else's kids too. She wanted for her life, and the legacy she has left us all to be remembered, with love and laughter.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Douglas Bleak; sons, Shawn Bleak and Justin (Kendra) Bleak; daughters, Cyndi (Dave) Ondriezek, Kelly Stephenson, and Karen (Ron) Rimmer; sister, Lois "Mimi"(David) Bleak; 24 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 17 "adopted" children; and a very large extended family.

She is proceeded in death by her parents; brother, Bill Pickett; son, Michel Butler; and grandson, Taten Bleak.

Cremation as taken place and she requested a Celebration of Life at a date to be determined.

There will be a Celebration of Life April 24 at 1 p.m. at her home, 743 Winchester, (1/2 way between Thermopolis and Worland).