A funeral service for Glyda Mae Cochran-May, 96, will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Wheatland, Wyoming with Pastor Casey Schroeder and Pastor Dan Barcus officiating. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 A.M. Saturday at the Wheatland Cemetery.
Glyda May passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland.
Glyda was born May 28, 1920 in Woodburn, Iowa the daughter of Homer Wesley and Nellie (Weakland) Cochran.
Glyda attended country school at Mule Shoe School until the ninth grade, when she went to school at Wheatland High School graduating in 1937. Glyda was married to Woodrow May on August 9, 1942 in Wheatland.
Glyda was an active partner with Woody in their extensive farming and ranching operation west of Wheatland during their 37 year marriage. She not only kept the books and records, she could operate most of the machinery and fed and helped manage the cattle operation through it's development. Even after the ranch sold, Glyda maintained a strong interest in agriculture in Platte County and the community, especially the youth. She traveled extensively and would bring back slides and detailed information to share with friends and family or any local club that had an interest. Her home was always open to friends and family and she hosted numerous jeep trips in the mountains to look over the ground she and Woody used to operate with their cattle operation. Glyda had extensive knowledge of the Wheatland area and it's history and shared that through many stories through the years.
Glyda was very active in the community and helped do the Platte County heritage book. She was the fair clerk for decades. She was a charter member of Laramie Peak Cattle Woman, member of First Christian Church where she also served as a board member, Wyoming Community Foundation board member, and was very active with the Laramie Peak Museum. In 2005 she won the University of Wyoming Legacy Award from the College of Agriculture.
Glyda set up a scholarship for Platte County kids that attend the school of agriculture in the name of Woodrow and Glyda May.
Glyda was survived by her nephews Morgan (Roxie) Wickam of Wheatland and Darica Young of Athena, Oregon; nieces-in-law, Sharon Utter of Wheatland and Kathy utter of Hastings, Nebraska; and eleven grand nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father, Homer, on December 5, 1958; mother, Nellie, on December 29, 1949; husband, Woodrow "Woody" May, on September 27, 1976; sister, Ruby Wickam, on June 8, 2013 and Ruth Utter, on August 23, 1942; and nephews, Dennis Utter, Alan Utter, and Brian Utter.
A memorial to the First Christian Church, 95 Nineteenth Street, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201 or to the Laramie Peak Museum, 1601 Sixteenth Street, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201 would be appreciated by the family.
Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Wickam, Wade Utter, Andy Utter, Curt Utter, Mark Utter, and Ward Utter.
Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
