Allen C. Schmautz

Allen C. Schmautz passed away on March 16, 2023. He was born on November 28, 1936 in Glen Ullin, N.D., to second generation Germans from Russia. He grew up on the family farm attending a local rural school (on horseback) and then graduating High School in New Liepzig, N.D. He worked as a truck driver in the area before moving to Seattle to work for Boeing until he was called to join the Army. At the onset of the cold war, he drove tanks in Germany defending the area that would eventually become the Berlin Wall. After the army, he moved to the Black Hills area of S.D. and worked as a mechanic at a local Ford dealership, spawning a lifelong loyalty to that brand. It was there he met his wife, Jean Marks. They married in Lead, S.D., on June 7, 1961, and had two children (Debbie & Don).

Al eventually went to work at the Black Hills Power Plant and after a few years, moved to join the Civil Service to work for the Bureau of Reclamation in Ft Peck, Mont., Montrose, Colo., and then moving to Thermopolis in 1970 to work at Boysen Dam until he retired in 1994. He enjoyed his horses, working his small farm and building a house in Lucerne. After he "retired", he did some "fun" work: Mowing the golf course, roofing with his friend Bobby Edwards and construction with his friend Wedge Taylor. In his spare time, he ascended the ranks at the BPOE (Elks Club), enjoyed volunteering and organizing for the Outlaw Trail Ride and as part of the informal groups; The Monday Night Burger Gang, all the gang at Lucerne, and The Wind River Flywheelers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gottlieb and Rose; brothers, Laverne "Trigger" and Vernon; wife, Jean; and son, Don.

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Schmautz and her husband Tom Depsky of Englewood, Colo.; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Francis Tibor; sister-in-law, Charlotte Schmautz; loving nieces, Shelley (Gary), Stacey (Mike), Wendy (Mike) and Tracy; 7 great-nieces and nephews; 8 great, great-nieces and nephews; and 1 great, great, great-niece (all of N.D.). He is loved and will be missed by many.

Services will be held at Mortimore Funeral Home on March 27, 2023 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Hot Springs County Senior Citizens Center, Inc. at 206 Senior Avenue, Thermopolis, WY 82433 307-864-2151.