Catherine Margaret (Wallace) Gray

Catherine Margaret (Wallace) Gray

May 6, 1948 – July 25, 2021

Catherine Margaret (Wallace) Gray was born to Curt and Betty Wallace on May 6, 1948, in Lovell. She left this earthly life to be with her Lord and reunite with her loved ones who have gone before on July 25, 2021, in Casper at the age of 73 years old.

During Cathy’s early years she lived in Lovell, where she attended elementary and junior high school. In her teen years, Cathy moved to Ft. Washakie, where she lived with Willie and Della LeClair. She was enrolled at St. Stephens’ Mission near Riverton, then at Lander Vocational High School. Cathy maintained and cherished the friendships she made in her school years throughout her life.

Cathy met the love of her life, Zane D. “Tarz” Gray of Chadron, in 1965. After a whirlwind romance, they were married in Ft. Washakie. Their first home was on the Round Valley Ranch in Ashby, Nebraska, and their last ranch home was on the VR Ranch in Glenrock, Wyoming. 

Living much of their lives on ranches in Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska, Cathy often worked alongside Tarz with the livestock and chores, but mostly did what she loved, cooking. Cathy’s talent for taking the simplest of ingredients and turning them into culinary delights gained her a reputation among friends and family, and she was often invited to cater meals for large ranch gatherings and community events. 

During the 70s, Cathy and her husband moved back to Lovell to be near her grandparents, John and Evelyn Asay, as they aged. She worked at Rocky’s in Lovell for many years. She and Tarz were sponsors for the Lovell High School Rodeo Club and gained the love and respect of many young cowboys and cowgirls as they supported them in the wonderful sport of rodeoing.

When the time for retirement from ranching came, Cathy and Tarz reluctantly left the quiet country life to become city dwellers in Casper, where they could be close to their son, Wade, and their beloved grandchildren. They enjoyed taking their grandchildren camping on Memorial Day weekend to Ft. Robinson, Nebraska, going to the Asay family cabin in the Big Horns, escaping the winter cold in Arizona and visiting the many friends they made throughout their lives.

Cathy was born the oldest of 12 children and the eldest of 63 grandchildren. To her, family was everything. Being part of a large family was something she loved and was proud of. She supported them through the tough times and celebrated with them in the good times. Cathy was known for being the memory-keeper in the family and was able to recall exact details of important events and dates. Her passing will leave a huge void in her family.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis C. Wallace and Catherine E. “Betty” Asay. 

Cathy is survived by her husband of 55 years, Zane D. Gray; son Wade Gray; grandchildren Gauge, Kayley and Brailyn Gray of Casper; and siblings Sandra (Ken) Janzen of Colorado Springs, Chuck (Karen) Diekemper of Las Vegas, Michael “Dutch” Diekemper of Powell, Theresa (David) Burnett of Reno, Nevada, Geoffrey Wallace of Slidell, Louisiana,  Lydia (Mark) Killeen of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tony (Kellie) Diekemper of Saverna Park, Maryland, Anne Diekemper of Cody, Steve Diekemper of Casper, Mary (Alex) Walsh of West Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Lisa Diekemper of Powell.

A private family interment will be scheduled at a later date.