Wilma Jane Mayes Egert

Dec. 8, 1962 – July 24, 2024

Wilma Jane Mayes Egert sadly passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 24, 2024, at North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell after a short and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Her passing will leave a huge hole in the hearts of those closest to her.

Wilma was born December 8, 1962, in Lovell to James Estel Mayes and Glea Joyce Penticuff Mayes. She was the fifth child of six siblings. She grew up in Lovell and Columbus, Montana. 

In high school she met Mark Martinelli, and they were married August 21, 1979. To this union two children were born, Rosalie and Michael. They later divorced. In October of 1986, she met the love of her life, Steve, and gained two wonderful children, Jennifer and Jess.

She married Steven Roger Egert on November 13, 2004, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. Wilma and Steve enjoyed their life together and the love of their children and grandchildren until the time of her passing.

Wilma obtained her bachelor’s degree from Northwest Community College. She was a beloved teacher’s aide for many years in Cheyenne at Alta Vista Elementary School and Rocky Mountain elementary and middle schools in Cowley. She truly enjoyed her students over the years. 

She loved her family fiercely and enjoyed spending time with them. She also enjoyed taking in stray cats, helping troubled youth, tending to her garden of flowers, traveling and shopping.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, sister Betty Anderson and Betty’s husband Rex, brother Cledes Mayes, grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her husband, Steve, of Lovell; children Rosalie (Raymond) Martinelli and Michael (Yvette) Martinelli, both of Lovell, Jennifer (Matt) Lambert of North Carolina and Jess (Taja) Egert of Oklahoma; brother Jim (Anita) Mayes of Lovell; sisters Annella (Nelson) St. Thomas of Lovell and Laurie “Dellie” (Mike) Hecker of Billings; 10 grandchildren: Rosalie’s children, Anastasia, Alex, Asher and Aden Nicholson, and Michael’s children, Marquis, Tayler, Ashton, Andrea, Aries and Amilia; and great-grandchildren Emery and Finn.

Wilma was a beautiful, smart, strong, loyal, supportive, feisty, fierce, loving and hilarious woman, who will be desperately missed by her family and loved ones.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Lovell LDS Church. Burial, following the services, will be held for the immediate family at the Lovell Cemetery.