Marjorie Earlene Cruz

Marjorie “Marge” Cruz went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 14th, 2016 after complications with open-heart surgery at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana.  Marge has been a longtime resident of Powell, Wyoming where she resided with her husband, Tim Cruz.  She has always loved Wyoming as she was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and lived in Waipti, Wyoming for many years with her family.  
Marge attended Powell High School in Powell, Wyoming and graduated in 1962.  She then attended the local community college. After a few years of college, she moved to California to work as a nanny for a Jewish family and spent time with her Uncle Carl and Aunt Murial “Muggs” Allen.  On November 17th, 1966, she married her best friend, Tim Cruz.  Marge and Tim made their home in Powell, Wyoming. In 1970, they welcomed their son, Rosando (Richard), “Rusty” into their home.  In 1972, they welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Beth) into their home.  They were delighted to raise these children and Marge lived for her kids.  She would sew all kinds of beautiful things for her children and cooked many wonderful meals.  
Marge loved life and was an amazing lady.  She took pride in raising all kinds of plants and a garden every year.  Many would see her outside her home tending to her garden, her lawn, and her flowers.  She also loved her family very much.  Countless hours were spent teaching her children and grandchildren many of her own skills, such as sewing, cooking, and tending to plants. Marge earned her CNA certification and worked for a local doctor in Powell, Wyoming for several years.  She had the opportunity to work for Absorka Headstart for many years as a homebound teacher, she would travel the roads around the Big Horn area and visit many children and their family, teaching them all kinds of skills.  She enjoyed being able do to this as she loved working with children.  She had an opportunity to be a special education teaching assistant at Parkside Elementary in Powell, Wyoming for many years.  This job was one of her favorites, as she loved being able to help these students grown and learn.  She was an inspiration to many and has left her legacy in her children, grandchildren and many of the children she had the privilege to teach.  Marge loved her community and became active in trying to find a way to help the people of Powell.  She started the local Powell Loaves and Fishes in the bottom of a small office building.  With the help of many volunteers, she was able to find a better home for the Pantry and this place has been able to assist many in the Powell Valley area.  She was very active in the local St. Barbara Catholic church, and loved to decorate for Easter and Christmas.  She was truly a servant for our Lord and touched many people’s lives, we will truly miss her.
Marge is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Tim Cruz, and her two children, Rusty Cruz (Nicolle) of Powell, Wyoming and Beth (Dave) Coffey of Laramie, Wyoming. She is also survived by four sisters and one brother:  Dorothy (Gary) Fulton of Powell, Wyoming, Joyce Abbott (Rick) of Stafford, Virginia, Kathy (Willie) Unterzuber of Salinas, California, Cyndie Quinn of Cody, Wyoming, and Robert “Bob (Terry) Peterson.  She had 9 grandchildren that were the apple of her eye and she was so proud of each and every one of them: Katie (Branden) Moore, Hannah Cruz, Maggie Cruz, Marie Cruz, Caleb Cruz, Torey Cruz, Alexandra Coffey, TJ Coffey, and JoJo Coffey. Marge had countless aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Geneva Peterson and brother, Rick Peterson, and many aunts and uncles.  
A rosary/viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 21st at 7:00 p.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.  Funeral services will be held in Powell, Wyoming at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to be at Crown Hill Cemetery following the mass.  Instead of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to a memorial in honor of Marge Cruz (for her grandchildren) at First Bank of Wyoming at 245 East 1st, Powell, Wyoming 82425.