Jacqueline Lois Minchow

Jacqueline Lois Minchow

Aug. 21, 1928 – May 28, 2023

Jacqueline “Jackie” Lois Minchow  passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior on May 28, 2023, at the age of 94. She was surrounded by her family at North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell.

Jackie was born in Kleenburn, Wyoming, on August 21, 1928, to Lloyd and Katherine Hutchison. Jackie’s dad was a government trapper, so they lived all over Wyoming, which led to her love of the outdoors. Her childhood was filled with adventure, and she was quite a tomboy. She had coyote pups as pets (until they raided the chicken coop) and rode her favorite horse, Roy, bareback through the hills.

Jackie married Raymond B. Minchow on June 3, 1949, and the fun began. They would get off work on Friday night and head to the mountains to camp and fish all weekend. They loved working in the yard and on home projects and spending time with their families.

In 1952, their first child, Don, was born in Casper. Jackie and Ray purchased a small service station in Lovell in 1953, and they found their forever home. In 1954, Jim was born, followed by Carol in 1956 and Lori in 1963. 

They found such joy in building their business and working side by side for the next 39 years. Jackie and Ray loved their employees and their customers, making lifelong friends. The station was passed down to their son, Jim, which gave them great pleasure. This summer, the station will celebrate 70 years in business.

Jackie loved to bowl, fly-fish, garden and travel. Her greatest joy was to follow her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their activities. They were often found sitting in the stands whether they had family playing or not. 

Jackie loved to travel. She had a bucket list, and her girls tried to check off many of those destinations. Those times are forever etched in their hearts. Jackie loved her flowers and her yard. 

She was a fantastic cook, and when the school lunch bell rang, their table would be full of their grandkids and their friends, which was the highlight of their day. Her cakes, cookies, pies and fried chicken were legendary. She took great joy in feeding all who entered her home.

Jackie and Maxine Wambeke could be found on Wyoming’s backroads, discovering new places or visiting old stomping grounds. These trips were more recent than Dr. Caldwell was comfortable with.

Grandma Jackie was much more than a mom or a grandma and will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all those who loved her. Jackie always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. When her children think of their mom, their first thought is her laughter. Oh, how she loved to laugh.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, siblings and her best friend and spouse, Ray.

Jackie is survived by her children, Don (June), Jim (Donna), Carol (Mike) Fink and Lori (Dave) Scheffler; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by many honorary friends, who quickly became family.

A funeral service was held Saturday, June 3, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lovell. A viewing was one hour prior at the church. Burial followed at the beautiful Lovell Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the North Big Horn Hospital Foundation in memory of Jackie Minchow or a charity of your choice.

Jackie and her family dearly loved the staff of the North Big Horn Hospital and would like to thank them for her care.