Florence Mae Wambeke

April 21, 1931 – Aug. 19, 2025

Surrounded by loved ones, Florence Mae Wambeke, 94, of Deaver passed away on August 19, 2025. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Florence will always be remembered for her spirited personality, her willingness to always contribute to her community and her devotion to her family.

Born on April 21, 1931, in Frannie, Florence grew up as the youngest child of Thomas Eli and Lottie Mae (Henry) Bell and sister to Robert Angus Bell and Thomas Elbert Bell.  

As a child she would shadow her father, a railroader, who worked on steam engines at the roundhouse in Frannie. Her father built her a cupboard out of a store crate to store all her tea party dishes. Her love of tea party dishes continued throughout her life collecting a large variety of them. 

Florence’s elementary education, grades one through eight, were at the Frannie School. It is when she went to Deaver High School that she met the love of her life, Fred Wambeke. After graduating from high school Florence entered business college in Powell and graduated. 

Florence and Fred shared 75 years together, being married on June 22, 1950, in Cody. In this marriage they had five children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. 

She contributed to so many lives through her employment as an elementary school cook, her involvement in her community and as an accomplished seamstress, making more than 25 quilts. 

Florence was adventurous, liked to travel and was willing to try new things. She started bowling in her 80s, and while she didn’t have the highest score, she sure enjoyed it. She loved playing pinochle so much she played in Lovell and Powell. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers.

Florence is survived by her husband, Fred; son Jeffery (Debbie) Wambeke and their children Janice, Laurie and Scott; son Rodney (Diane) Wambeke and their children Kevin, Joshua and Ivo; daughter Rebecca Wambeke and her children Steven, Mikeal and Karri; son Theodore (Ann) Wambeke and their children Evan, Benjamin and Simona; and daughter Alicia (Wambeke) Troutman and her children Chelsie and Thomas.  

A rosary was held Monday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m. at St. Barbara’s Church in Powell.  The funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Church. Interment was at the Deaver-Frannie Cemetery following the funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers consider donating to St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Torrington, Wyoming, Helping Hands of Deaver c/o Cherie Wambeke or the Senior Lunch Brunch c/o Beckie Mills.