Caryl was born to Rivers and Bertha Stillwell on Feb. 11, 1921 at Simeon. She was one of a family of 15 children. She attended grade school near the ranch and then attended high school in North Platte graduating in May of 1939. She worked part-time at Ben Franklin while in high school.
On Aug. 12, 1939, she was united in marriage to Francis E. Crowe and they purchased the ranch from her mother. They were married 61 years until his death in 2000. To this union three sons were born.
Caryl worked along with the men on the ranch and in the hayfields. She loved being a homemaker. She raised gardens and took her canning and sewing to the fair, winning many ribbons over the years. She loved visiting with her neighbors over a cup of coffee, a good card game, watching baseball games and doing puzzles.
After their retirement, they traveled to Alaska and spent many winters in California. There was never a stranger to her as she was a friend to all. She moved to Valentine in 2001 when her son, Steven, and his wife, Kim, purchased the ranch.
Survivors include her sons and wives, Melvin (Nancy) of Alliance, Fran L. (Barbara) of McCool Junction and Steven (Kim) of Valentine; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joy Foster of Valentine; a brother, Clayton Stillwell of Bradley, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
Caryl was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three brothers; and nine sisters.
Services will be held June 19 at 2 p.m., at The Chapel of The Pines, Valentine.
Caryl was born to Rivers and Bertha Stillwell on Feb. 11, 1921 at Simeon. She was one of a family of 15 children. She attended grade school near the ranch and then attended high school in North Platte graduating in May of 1939. She worked part-time at Ben Franklin while in high school.
On Aug. 12, 1939, she was united in marriage to Francis E. Crowe and they purchased the ranch from her mother. They were married 61 years until his death in 2000. To this union three sons were born.
Caryl worked along with the men on the ranch and in the hayfields. She loved being a homemaker. She raised gardens and took her canning and sewing to the fair, winning many ribbons over the years. She loved visiting with her neighbors over a cup of coffee, a good card game, watching baseball games and doing puzzles.
After their retirement, they traveled to Alaska and spent many winters in California. There was never a stranger to her as she was a friend to all. She moved to Valentine in 2001 when her son, Steven, and his wife, Kim, purchased the ranch.
Survivors include her sons and wives, Melvin (Nancy) of Alliance, Fran L. (Barbara) of McCool Junction and Steven (Kim) of Valentine; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joy Foster of Valentine; a brother, Clayton Stillwell of Bradley, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
Caryl was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three brothers; and nine sisters.
Services will be held June 19 at 2 p.m., at The Chapel of The Pines, Valentine.
Family Members
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Everett Carl Stilwell
1902–1958
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Zella Rose Stilwell Sherman
1904–1963
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Rossa Winifred Stilwell Gillespie
1906–1983
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Rivers Elroyd Stilwell
1906–1968
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Lucy Stilwell Mills
1908–2009
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Leta Pedersen
1909–2000
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Garnet Alice Stilwell Galligher
1911–1930
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Aldah Margaretta Stilwell Galligher
1912–1986
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Joseph Amos Stilwell
1914–1914
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Ula Rose Stilwell
1916–1916
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Clayton Douglas Stilwell
1918–2014
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