Rita Mae Harrell

Rita Mae Briscoe Harrell, 72, formerly of Powell, died Wednesday, April 03, 2013 after a courageous battle with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Rita was born June 6, 1940, in Frenchtown, Indiana, daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Briscoe. She was the second of eight children and graduated from North Central High School, Ramsey, Indiana in 1958.  On November 28, 1959, Rita married Larry Harrell, in Frenchtown, Indiana and was blessed with six children.
As a wife and mother, she lived with her husband on a cattle ranch in Sunburst, Montana and on a family farm in Corydon, Indiana.  In October 1971, they moved their family to Cody, Wyoming and then to Powell in 1974. Rita and Larry owned a carpet store in Powell for several years.  Rita worked at First National Bank, did accounting for Blair’s Market, and worked as a clerk for The Merc, Skyline Drug and Pamida. Rita was an experienced horsewoman, who also enjoyed hunting and camping. She enjoyed many hunting trips with her husband and especially enjoyed the beautiful Wyoming scenery of the Thorofare Trail. She lead her family on many camping trips to Sunlight Basin, where her children learned to ride horses, appreciate the peacefulness of the outdoors, and enjoy time with family. She loved taking photographs, scrap booking, cooking, and made all family gatherings a special time for her family. She was a kind, loving and generous person to all those who knew her and to a stranger from the street. She was a devoted wife, loving and giving mother and grandmother. Her family was her greatest joy.  Even in her illness, the people who met her always felt it was a blessing to have known her. She was a Cub Scout leader, taught CCD at St. Barbara’s, a volunteer 4-H leader, enjoyed being involved in the many church organizations, belonged to the NRA and the Arabian Horse Association. After Larry’s passing, Rita moved to Billings to live with her daughter Traci and her family.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband Larry, and her father, Herman Briscoe.
She is survived by her children, daughters, Vicki Meyers of Vernal, Utah, Gail Klispie (Gary) of Worland, Wyoming, Diana Adams (Delos) of Preston, Idaho, Traci Swarm (Chuck) and Carla Wesley (Darrell), both of Billings, Montana and son, Paul Harrell (Pam) of Riverton; grandchildren Gage Swarm, Haydn Swarm, Kathleen Meyers, Heather Hanson, Daniel Meyers, Amber Uribe, Amanda Jo Roseberry, Mathew Crichton, Katelyn Klispie, Brent Wesley, Lacey Wesley and three great-children. Living are her mother, Elizabeth Briscoe of Depauw, Indiana, brothers Donald Briscoe of Depauw, Indiana, Marvin Briscoe of Ramsey, Indiana, James Briscoe of Billings, Montana, and Michael Briscoe of Omaha, Nebraska; sisters Priscilla Gettelfinger of  Palmyra, Indiana, Nancy Briscoe of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Hellen Ward of Brownsburg, Indiana. Special thanks to Virginia and Steve Webb for all the care and support to our family. Thank you to Keenan, Robin and Rocky Mountain Hospice - you are so appreciated for the exceptional care given.
A celebration of Rita’s life will be held Friday, April 12, 2013, at 10 am. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell.  Rosary will be said on Thursday, April 11, at 6pm at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell. Cremation has taken place and burial will be following funeral services at Crown Hill Cemetery where both Rita and Larry will be buried and laid to rest together.