Prosper Pierre Etchemendy

Dad was born on October 6, 1931, in Montrose Colorado to French Basque immigrants Pierre and Anna Etchemendy. He spent his young years in the mountains of Colorado herding sheep with the Basque herders honing his ag skills, his Basque language and way of life. Dad was fluent in the Basque language both spoken and written. He was very proud of his Basque heritage. Ben Etchemendy was his Godfather and was dearly loved.

He graduated from Montrose, Colorado High School in 1949. His love of “all things Agriculture” ran deep. He earned many awards while participating in the local FFA Chapter. After graduating High School, he went on to study Animal Husbandry at Colorado A & M in Ft. Collins, now known as Colorado State University. He later used the knowledge and skills he learned to do much of his own veterinary work on his cattle and sheep. While away at school, he would at times hitchhike back to his home in Montrose on weekends and holidays.

Dad enlisted in the service on August 20, 1952. After bootcamp at Fort Leonard Wood, in Missouri he was stationed in France during the Korean War. While in France he had the opportunity to get to know and get close to his maternal Grandfather Jean Inchauspe from Lasse, France and deepen his relationship with his Uncle Pete Etchemendy from Arneguy, France whom he referred to as “a prince among men”. Dad worked hard while also enjoying his time there touring the Basque Countryside and getting to know relatives with his Army buddy Bob Burke. After his honorable discharge in July of 1954, he returned home to Lost Springs where he helped his dad on his ranch.

In 1957 he met and fell in love with the LOVE of his Life, Verla Colleen Bartos at a dance at the Lost Springs Hall. They were married on June 21, 1958, and began building their ranch and life together. Their daughter Shanale was born 11 months later, daughter Michelle 3 years and son Michel 5 years later. Their first summer together was spent living in a sheep wagon while custom haying for many ranchers including his friend Harry Manning. Their first land purchase was the Eutsler homestead 17 miles north and west of Manville in 1959. Later purchases, the Hank Klemke Ranch and finally the Fred Meinzer homestead. Their hard work and determination paid off immensely. Their children and grandchildren marvel at their success. A rags to riches story. Dads’ family is proud of the patriarch of the family, look up to him and consider him the rock, mentor, and hero.

In his “spare time” Dad loved working on his vintage cars and has a nice collection. His prized sheep wagon was gifted to him by his Uncle Pete “Peyo” and “Tanta” Jeanne Etchemendy. A collection of bits and spurs line the walls of his home along with hundreds of Indian Arrowheads he has collected. Most were found on his ranch near Lost Springs, The Fred Meinzer homestead.

Dad and Mom loved to dance and were well known for their beautiful passes around the dance floor. Dad was often asked to call an old-time square dance. He would jump up on a chair or bench and call such calls as “Do Si Do” or “Cage the little Birdie and Swing!” As the dancers danced the night away.

“A Life Well Lived!”

Dad is survived by daughters Shanale & Michelle (Dee) and son Michel (Cydney). Grandchildren Ryan (Gabrielle) & James Ahrenholtz, Kyra (Tug) Coffman, Brooke Pate & Kelsey (Tyler) Hoch, and Rachel & Nicole Etchemendy. Sister Grace Johnson and brother George Etchemendy (Bobetta). Special Sister and brother-in-law Sheryl and Gene Jugler. Great Grand-children Andrew, Elaina, Joseph and Luka Ahrenholtz, Bryce (Sage), Christian (Jaylah), Rylee (Jonah), Kaden (Alex), Lanie, Colton, Issac, Keen, Addisyn, Tyke, Hunter, Hayden, Hudson, Harper. GREAT-GREAT Grandchildren Ava and Olivia, plus many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his precious wife Verla and his father & mother, Pierre and Anna Etchemendy. Sadly, his loving sister Eveleen Maurer and her daughters Tammy & Sandy were killed in December of 1975 in a car accident. This heart break never left him. His father and mother-in-law, Floyd & Esther Bartos, along with his brother-in-law Gary Bartos and young nephew Jeffrey Jugler also proceeded him in death. Besides family, many friends that were nearly as close as family preceded him including his great friends and mentors Fred Meinzer and Tom Mitchell. In the last few years Dad lived at the Prairie Pines Extended Care Center in Lusk, Wyoming. The Doctors and Staff there gave him EXCELLENT care and Love.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 28, at St Leo's Catholic Church in Lusk, Wyoming. Interment will follow in the Lusk Cemetery.

Pallbearers- Dee Zimmerman, Gary Madsen, Tug Coffman, George Etchemendy, Ryan Ahrenholtz, Glen Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Bradley Netz. 

Honorary Pallbearers- Gene Jugler, Dave Thomson, Joe Netz. 

Prosper's family will greet friends on Monday evening from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Please join them to visit.

The Rosary will be recited at 1:30 PM at St Leo's Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

There will be a reception in honor of Prosper at the Niobrara Country Club in Lusk, Wyoming, immediately following the cemetery service. Please join Prosper's family in celebrating a well-lived and long life.

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The Lusk Herald, July 3, 1958

Verla Bartos and Prosper Etchemendy Marry in Catholic Church Here June 21.

Baskets of pink and lavender gladiolus and carnations decorated St. Leo's Catholic Church for the nuptial Mass June 21 for Miss Verla Colleen Bartos to Prosper Etchemendy. Father Liborius  Morganscheives officiated at the double ring ceremony which was at 10:00 a.m.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Bartos of Keeline and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Etchemendy of Montrose, Colo., and Lost Spring. 

Mrs. Henry Wasserburger, Sr., organist, played appropriate prelude music and accompanied Mrs. Darrell Lamb as she sang "On This Day, O Beautiful Mother", "Oh Lord, I am Not Worthy" and "Ava Maria."

Given in marriage by her father the bride wore a waltz length gown of white nylon lace over taffeta and ruffled net. the fitted bodice was designed with a square, scalloped neckline and long sleeves that tapered to bridal points over the hands. The full skirt featured featured an inset front panel of pleated nylon net.  Her fingertip veil was of nylon net. She carried a cascade of pink sweetheart roses, feathered carnations and stephanotis.

She wore a heirloom hook and chain from Scotland which belonged to her great, great grandfather. She also wore the traditional blue garter.

Mrs. Thomas Cantrell, sister of the bride, was matron of honor, Miss Dixie Allsup was bridesmaid. They were dressed identical in lavender nylon chiffon over satin gowns with matching satin cummerbunds. They carried fans of lavender satin spirals, white carnations, and baby roses. Sheryl Lyn Bartos, sister of the bride, was junior bridesmaid and wore a gown of pink nylon sparkle net over satin with pink cummerbund and carried a matching fan with pink satin spirals. Silver sequin trimmed hats completed their ensembles. Bobbie Lou Park was flower girl and was attired identical to the junior bridesmaid. 

George Etchemendy, brother of the groom, was best man. Ushers were Gary Bartos, brother of the bride, and Kenneth Johnson of Montrose, Colo.

Mrs. Bartos, mother of the bride, wore a rose colored lace over satin dress with white accessories while Mrs. Etchemendy, mother of the groom, chose a gray lace over pink with black and white accessories. All wore pink carnation corsages. The dresses of the attendants and the bride's mother were made by Mrs. Rena Alexander.

A reception was held in the Keeline Community Hall following the ceremonies for those attending. Low bouquets of pink gladiolus and carnations and a memory candle in a floral arrangement graced the serving table covered with a hand crocheted table cloth over lavender. The cloth was made by the bride's maternal great grandmother Valentine.

A three tiered cake trimmed with pink roses and topped with bells centered the table. after the bride and groom cut the first piece of cake it was then cut and served by Miss Carol Alexander. Miss Carol York poured coffee and Mrs. James Ryan of Casper served the punch. Miss Laurel Hughes, Miss Wanda Alexander of Fort Morgan, Colo. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnson of Montrose, Colo. presided over the gift table. Miss Eveleen Ethchemendy, sister of the groom, of Denver directed the signing of the guest book. 

The new Mrs. Etchemendy chose a sapphire blue crystallette dress with white accessories and a corsage from her bridal bouquet for her going away costume to Yellowstone Park and into Montana.

The bride received her elementary schooling at Keeline and was graduated from Niobrara County High School as an honor student in 1956. She attended Chadron State Teachers College for one year where she was a member of WAA and YWCA. She worked one year after graduating from high school at McKnight's Bakery.

The groom was educated in Montrose, Colo. graduating in 1949. He attended Colorado A and M for one year and served in the U.S. Army stationed in France for two years. They are making their home on his father's ranch north of Lost Spring where he is employed.

Out of town guests attending the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Etchemendy, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnson, Wayne and Glen, Montrose, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. James Ryan and family of Casper; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Bartos, Miss Sandra Smith, Douglas; Mrs. A.E. Sylvester and Clarice, Wheatland; Mrs. James Church, Benecia and Marty, Millbrae, Calif.;  Mr. and Mrs  Leo Alexander and Deanna, Ft. Morgan; Mrs. Ward Hinckley, Torrington;  Mr. and Mrs. Dean Sylvester and family, Wheatland; Mrs. Patricia Manning and daughter, Covina, Calif.; Donna Grode, Butler, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bartos, William Bartos and Louis Bartos, Hemingford, Nebr. 

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