A Mass of Christian Burial for 91-year old Henry Wasserburger Jr of Lusk, Wyo, will be held Monday, January 23, 2023, at 10:00 at St Leo’s Catholic Church in Lusk.
Rosary will be Sunday, January 22, at 5:00 at St Leo’s Catholic Church
Internment will be at the Lusk Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at pierfh.com
Henry L Wasserburger Jr was born May 18, 1931, the first-born son to Henry L Wasserburger Sr and Anna Josephine (Pfister) Wasserburger in Lusk. He died January 18, 2023.
Henry attended Fairview Rural School until the 8th grade when he boarded in Lusk to attend Lusk High School, graduating May 1949.
During high school, he was an outstanding football player and was selected as an All-State guard. He also played the saxophone and was a member of the band for the Legend of Rawhide Pageant.
After graduation, Henry attended Regis College in Denver for one year. His love of sports carried him to many Denver area football and basketball games during that year, but then he returned home to the family ranch north of Lusk.
On September 12, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Opal Wilson. From this union 5 children were born: Henry L the 3rd, Jolene Lorraine (Tom), Joel David “JD” (Laurie), Thomas Lee (Val), and William Jeffrey (Tracy).
Henry worked with his father, but JD returned to the ranch in 1978 and the next year joined his parents in forming the Bootheel Seven Livestock partnership, which remains in existence today.
Henry took over as the active manager of the ranch upon his father’s passing in 1983. Lorraine passed away January 4, 1999.
Henry was a very lucky man and on August 12, 2000, he married the second love of his life, Yvonne (Bonnie) Baures in Casper, Wyo.
Henry and Bonnie enjoyed dancing, live music, theater, and just being together. His love of travel continued as they traveled extensively across the United States and out of the country to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. Henry boasted that he had traveled to all 50 states.
In 2008, He fully retired in 2008 and moved to Bonnie’s ranch west of Casper. His biggest joy was to return to the Wasserburger family ranch to look at the cattle and see the progress the new generation had made.
Henry’s love of the ranch never ceased. He was extremely proud when in 2016 the ranch was honored at the Wyoming State Fair for its 100th year Anniversary.
This past fall, Bootheel Seven Livestock was honored to receive the National Certified Angus Beef Award for Commercial Commitment to Excellence in Phoenix, Arizona. Henry, Bonnie, and many other family members went to Phoenix to receive the award.
Henry loved watching any sports that involved a Lusk team, but especially loved watching family members, whether it be his kids or grandkids, competing or participating in any extracurricular activities.
Henry was a life time member of St Leo’s Catholic Church in Lusk and was also a 68-year member of the Elks Lodge 1797.
He was active in community affairs and served 12 years on both the Niobrara County School Board and the Niobrara County Hospital Board. Henry also served 9 years on the ASCS committee and 6 years on Farmers Home Board.
He was especially proud in 1978 when the Wasserburger Ranch was selected for the ASCS State Conservation Award and he was named the Outstanding Alumni from Niobrara County and was the honored speaker at the Alumni Banquet.
4-H was another of Henry’s passions and he was selected as the outstanding supporter of Niobrara County 4-H.
Henry had an infectious laugh and was always good for a story, helped by a historical accuracy that was spot on.
He never met a stranger and was always welcoming and charming to those he met. His ability to communicate with others proved invaluable in brokering compromises between parties. These characteristics made Henry an important part of the Lusk community, which he loved.
Henry is survived by his wife Bonnie, his 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 5 stepchildren: Susan (Bob) Rowland, Diane (Doug) Witcher, Brian (Linda), Tracy (Tonya), and Todd Baures, and by his sister Jean.
Pier Funeral Home of Lusk is in charge of arrangements for Henry Wasserburger Jr