Mary Ellen (Sanderlin) Farmer

Mary Ellen (Sanderlin) Farmer, 84, passed away June 8, 2022, at the Thermopolis Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.

Mary was born February 10, 1938, to Edd Drayton and Rose Ellen (Sanford) Sanderlin. She received her education in Thermopolis, Wyo., graduating with the class of 1956. She was a member of the National Honor Society and also a cheerleader during her high school years. Following graduation, she attended Casper College where she received an associate's degree. She began her career in Riverton, working as a legal aide. In the mid-sixties, she moved to Thermopolis where she took a job with the Hot Springs REA. She continued in that job for nearly 50 years. She also worked part-time for the Hot Spring Cemetery District as a record keeper until 2017.

When her father passed away in 1973, Mary Ellen took on the responsibility of helping her mother and caring for her until her passing.

Mary Ellen met her husband through mutual friends and the couple married in March of 1975 in Worland. He describes his bride as a very sweet woman whom he loved dearly.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed any and all books. Mary Ellen was painfully honest about everything. She spoke her mind, and it didn't matter who was present to hear it. If she decided to take something on, she would succeed, there just wasn't any other option. She loved to travel in Wyoming, seeing all she could see in her own backyard. Yellowstone, the Big Horn Mountains, the family cabin near Deer Haven were just a few of her "special places to visit". One of her most memorable "trips" was midnight of 1999. Jim told her that they were going to be the first couple to ride a tractor into the new century. Precisely at midnight, Mary Ellen and Jim got on the tractor and were headed to town but decided that driving into town at midnight on a tractor with no lights might be a little too perilous.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Wava Miller.

Survivors include her husband, Jim; brother, Edwin (Karen) Sanderlin; three step-daughters: Jody (Rob) Depriore of Laurel, Mont., Margo (Kenny) Ivie of Glenrock, Wyo., and Gail Farmer of Billings, Mont .; four step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; niece, Catherine Anne Sanderlin Murphy; two great-nephews; and one great-niece.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Thermopolis with Pastor Newhouse officiating. Inurnment will follow at Monument Hill Cemetery in Thermopolis. Memorial donations may be made to the Hope Lodge (lodging for cancer patients at no cost) and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.