Barbara Joan Daniels

Barbara Joan Daniels was born January 27, 1943, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Merle and Carrie Oneyear. She grew up with her siblings, Linda West, Gloria Rushing, and Fred Oneyear. Barbara spent her childhood in Portland, Ore., where she learned to ride a unicycle and the value of hard work, responsibility, and family.

On December 17, 1960, Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Billy Max Daniels, in Thermopolis, Wyo. Together they raised two children, Delbert Wayne and Darlene Marie, and built a life defined by family, perseverance, and shared work. Their marriage lasted more than sixty years, until Billy's passing on July 21, 2021.

In their early years together, Barbara and Billy worked with Daniels & Sons Construction, building Bureau of Land Management reservoirs throughout Wyoming. In November 1975, they fulfilled a long-held dream when they purchased a ranch on Owl Creek outside Thermopolis. For the next forty-six years, the ranch became the center of their family life. Barbara worked alongside Billy and their children raising sheep and cattle, milking cows, farming, and doing whatever was necessary to keep the operation going.

When times were difficult, the family created Daniels Custom Haying, farming, cutting, baling, and stacking hay for farms throughout Hot Springs County. Barbara and Billy also operated the rural Owl Creek postal route for forty-two years. Numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren spent summers at the ranch, working beside the family and making memories that lasted a lifetime.

Barbara never stood apart from the work. She shared fully in the responsibilities of ranch and family life, including land leveling, custom haying, livestock, the mail route, and the daily chores that could not be postponed. She especially loved caring for the bum lambs from the family's sheep operation.

Music was another important part of Barbara's life. She loved to sing and play the guitar, bringing warmth and enjoyment to those around her. She was a member of Hot Springs County Cowbells, FSA, the Conservation Board, and First Baptist Church in Thermopolis, Wyoming.

Barbara is survived by her children, Delbert Wayne Daniels married to Donna Daniels and Darlene Marie Cole married to David Cole; as well as her grandchildren, Casey Pebbles married to Destiny Pebbles, and Kristin Bergstrom married to Cody Bergstrom; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Pebbles, Maci Pebbles, Caden Pebbles, Aspen Bergstrom and Owen Bergstrom; and nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy; sisters, Linda and Gloria; granddaughter, Kendra Pebbles; and Kendra's children, Hunter and KayLynn.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held August 1, 2026, 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Thermopolis, Wyoming.