Margie Fletcher Shanks

ROCK SPRINGS — Margie Fletcher Shanks was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on November 19, 1948. She passed with the morning light reflecting off of White Mountain on April 20, 2016 with her husband and son at her side. Margie lived to laugh, and to share that laughter with her family and friends. She loved sandstone by sunset, and the green of the juniper. She especially loved to take beautiful photos of the Red Desert and her garden’s flowers when the light was just right. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fay Roberts Fletcher and Robert Young Fletcher of Rock Springs, brother Gilbert Fletcher of Pinedale, and sister Kathy Maldonado of Green River. She is survived by her husband, Ron Shanks of Rock Springs, brother Robert Fletcher of Rock Springs, son Daniel Krza and daughter-in-law Angela Kociolek of Bozeman, Mont., daughter Laura Jackson and son-in-law Randy Jackson of Rock Springs, daughter Sara Jones and son-in-law Greg Jones of Mead, Colo., and five grandchildren. Margie grew up on Number One Hill, little sister to three siblings. She traveled to Europe in her youth and carried that experience with her throughout her life. She married Paul Krza in Rock Springs and gave birth to her son Daniel at a U.S. Army hospital in Frankfurt, Germany while the Vietnam War was underway. The family returned to Wyoming in 1971. Margie’s interests led her to archaeology, a passion she shared with Ron throughout their decades-long marriage. She used her artist’s eye to develop photos at New Studio and Western Wyoming Community College. The college was certainly influenced by her presence throughout her continuing career there, which was indelibly marked by her positive interaction with countless people through the school’s student success program. She eventually retired from WWCC as Academic Advising Coordinator. Margie felt a deep connection with Rock Springs’ corner of the Red Desert, and the history and prehistory it contains. She was passionate about the heritage and people of Rock Springs, and her energies helped to create the Rock Springs Historical Museum. Margie co-wrote “Images Of America: Rock Springs” with friend Russ Tanner. She was rightly proud of the care that went in to ensuring historical accuracy of the details of each photo. Through her efforts she is helping to preserve the history of Rock Springs. Margie will be remembered for her sense of humor, her stubbornness, her belief in the power of love, and her will to live. Margie believed in the higher purpose of knowledge and that the deceased may teach the living, and was a donor to the University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Body Donor Program. Margie was affectionately known as “Sotsie” to her five grandchildren, Amanda and Caleb Jackson, Natalie and Ryan Jones and Evan Krza. Margie will be missed and was honored by family and friends with a Celebration of Life. One of her favorite songs was You Are My Sunshine: The other night dear, as I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken So I hung my head and I cried. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are gray You’ll never know dear, how much I love you Please don’t take my sunshine away