brother-in-law
My brother-in-law, Mike Reed is always busy doing something. He and my iter, Caryl Reed bought a piece of property west of Casper a few years ago and built a house and barn there. Now they grow hay on the front part of the property. It’s been a great business for them. They bought one of those Huge rolling watering systems, and Make moves it around to take care of the hay. I find it pretty amazing really, because neither Mike or Caryl ever did any farming before, but they have really figured out all the trick and skills needed to make it work.
Their house is beautiful, and they have really enjoyed entertaining there. They did find that while most of the family comes into the house through the garage, because it is the main entrance, anyone who doesn’t come there as family, feels awkward about that entrance. That said, they decided to build a deck out front and put in a door off of the deck that comes directly into the dining room. It was a great idea and looks beautiful. Mike and our brother-in-law, Mike Stevens dis all the work 
together, and it is stunning. The guys really excelled in the craftsmanship of this door and deck. Another thing that Mike does, and often with the help of Mike Stevens is restoring old cars. Once restored, the cars are usually sold, and for much more that Mike purchased the car for in the first place. Of course, the vehicle is now worth much more than when he purchased it too. As I said, his craftsmanship is amazing.
When he isn’t working on the crops, the house, or the cars, Mike likes to do all the typical guy things…golf, hunting, and fishing. Mike has taken trips to Alaska, and Africa to go hunting. His trophy room looks amazing with the heads of the animals he has hunted. His trip to Africa was one of the highlights of his hunting “career” 
although he would probably not go back. The politics and the treatment of the workers was off-putting. Mike has a good heart, and he is always kind. I’m sure that is what drew my sister to her future husband in the first day. They are a perfect match, and we are all very happy with our brother-in-law. Today is Mike’s birthday. Happy birthday Mike!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My brother-in-law, LJ Cook has been a part of the Schulenberg family just six months longer than I have, although he was dating my sister-in-law for a while before that. Nevertheless, we share some of the same early memories of the family. We double dated, his future wife, Debbie Cook and my future husband, Bob Schulenberg were brother and sister, and they were just 16 months apart in age. Those were fun times.
LJ served as an MP in the Army from 1968 to 1971 during the 
Vietnam Era. For a long time, that was all I knew about his service. I used to think of MPs as mainly dealing with disobedient military personnel, like in the movie “Stripes” or the show “MASH,” but movies don’t always tell the whole story. LJ completed basic training at Fort Ord in the Monterey Bay area of California. After that, he went to MP school at Fort Gordon, southwest of Atlanta, Georgia. Once his training was complete, LJ flew to Frankfurt, Germany, and then on to Mannheim, where he spent the rest of his service as an MP at the Mannheim Prison. I suppose that time was part of what qualified him as a candidate for law enforcement work.
So, he went on to become a Deputy Sheriff in Natrona County, which may have been where he met Debbie. I’m not sure on that really. Of course, Debbie was never in trouble with the law, so it wouldn’t have been a meeting involving his profession. LJ did love to “use” his profession the “pick on” his future brother-in-law…my husband, Bob. One of his favorite things to do was to pull Bob over on CY Avenue, in Casper, which was the main strip for the 
high school crown in the 70s. Bob wasn’t in trouble either, but LJ took great pleasure in pulling him over, complete with flashing lights. It was all in good fun, and Bob wasn’t offended. In fact, it rather cemented their relationship as brothers-in-law and a lifelong friendship. They were both jokesters and so had a good time. LJ and Debbie moved to Powell, Wyoming years ago, so we don’t see them as much, but we love them very much. Today is LJ’s 76th birthday. Happy birthday LJ!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My brother-in-law, Chris Hadlock has had a very busy year. The place he and my sister, Allyn Hadlock own along the North Platte River, needed a lot of work when they got it. They tore down the mobile home his parents had lived in and built a new house a few years ago. That put the garage on hold, but the old garage was really not very safe, and it was not big enough, so this past couple of years have been spent preparing for and building Chris a dream garage. At the end of last year, the garage was finally finished, inside and out. With that done, Chris has switched his focus back to the property again. Chris has loved that place since he lived there as a kid. Now that it belongs to him, that pride he felt back then is as strong as ever.
This year, Chris and Allyn had the driveway paved, painted the small garage, sorted thru a lot of stuff. Chris is getting things back in order since he had to focus on the garage so much last year to get it finished. He is very conscientious about the property and likes to take good care of it. I think he wants to make his parents proud 
of what he has done with the place, and they definitely would be. Because their daughter, Kellie was getting married on June 28, Chris really ramped up on the property improvements, because they were having Kellie’s shower and the rehearsal dinner out there, and Chris wanted it to be especially nice.
Even in the midst of wedding plans, Chris and Allyn took a trip over Memorial Day up to Sheridan, thru the northern Big Horns, up to Cody and Cooke City. The family went camping over Mother’s Day to Guernsey and camped at Glendo for Father’s Day. Then, after all the rush of the wedding was over, Chris and Allyn went camping in the Big Horns. They were joined by their son, Ryan Hadlock, his wife Chelsea and their daughter, Aurora. Their daughter, Lindsay Moore, her husband, Shannon, and their daughter, Mackenzie went as well. Their daughter, Jessie Sawdon, her husband, Jason, and daughter Adelaide couldn’t go because they were headed to see his family in Michigan. Kellie, her husband, Tim Thompson, and daughter Jolene stayed in Casper to relax after the wedding. Chris really enjoyed all this time off. He loves all his kids and grandkids and would do anything for them. He loves spending time with them! On top of all the work on 
the property, Chris was very busy at work, selling police communication systems, and he still enjoys it very much.
Chris’ daughter-in-law, Chelsea says “He’s amazing! Still loves fishing, especially with Ryan. He’s been teaching Aurora some things on the guitar. He’s always ready to help, listen, or just hang out. We love him so much and we’re so glad we get to spend so much time with him!” That is a sweet tribute and needs no improvement. Today is Chris’ birthday. Happy birthday Chris!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
In life, there are things you never expected to live through, and your younger sister going to Heaven before you, is one of those things. Nevertheless, that is what happened on April 23, 2025, when my sister, Alena Stevens went home to Heaven. I know where my sister is, because she was a strong spirit-filled believer, who knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior, but for those of us left behind, every day is a challenge, with memories of her, texts we don’t get from her now, the sister dinners without her, the holiday parties now one short, the sister prayer warriors and the sister birthday greetings, also now one short. And her family now must go forward without wife, mother, and grandmother. It is so very sad for us, but for Alena, life goes infinitely forward, and it is amazing…a life we can only imagine.
Alena was a cute little girly girl, and we always knew that she would have a flare for the beautiful. She loved cutting hair, especially her own. Mom was not always a fan of that, because it meant fixing Alena’s “new do” that was invariably very short. Alena’s hair was fine, so shorter cuts worked on her, and really helped to thicken it, but since all the rest of us had long hair, Alena’s short haired look was a sure sign that she had managed to get a hold of the scissors again. While her personal cuts were a trial for our mom, Collene Spencer, Alena was also Mom’s personal hair stylist, cutting her hair and always making Mom’s hair look beautiful for her. Alena never went to cosmetology school, but rather she became an amazing educational support member. Instead, she passed that hair talent, on to her youngest child, daughter, Lacey Killinger, who did go to cosmetology school and now owns her own salon. I know that was a proud moment for my sister. Lacey’s marriage to Chris, also brought Alena two treasured grandchildren, Brooklyn and Jaxon. She loved them very much.
Alena always had a flair for decorating too. Her home is beautiful, and her style always shines through. I never thought of her as an artist, but I think she was to a great degree. Some of the ideas she used on things were stunning. She just knew what colors would look well together and she could mix design styles and have it come out beautifully. I always thought Alena’s daughter, Michelle Miller got her artistic ability from our mom, but when I think about it now, I can see that it was from her mom. Michelle went on to college and got her degree 
in art and education. I know her mom was very proud of her. When Michelle married her middle school sweetheart, Matt, it was such a happy day for Alena. She always knew they were perfect for each other.
While Alena was never a welder, and like her sisters, would have no clue how to begin, her son Garrett followed in the footsteps of our dad, Allen Spencer, and became an excellent welder. I know that was a proud moment for Alena. She thought it was very cool that Garrett took to welding just like Dad. Garrett has not only excelled in welding but is now a trained inspector too. Alena was so proud the day he passed that really tough test. When Garrett and his wife, Kayla began having children, Alena graduated to the rank of “Grandma” and she was delighted beyond words. The time she spent with Elliott and Maya was absolutely wonderful for her, and she gloried in it.
While Alena was mom and grandma, and treasured both roles, it was the life she and Mike created that was absolutely blissful. Alena and Mike were perfect for each other from the very start. Anyone who knew them could easily see how much they loved each other. Theirs was a marriage made in Heaven, and a love that will last forever. The love and kindness they showed each other was the glue that sustained them through more that 40 years of marriage. Their Christian faith flourished through the years too, and they brought their children up to love the Lord too. That is an accomplishment to be very proud of. The last few months that Alena was with us, were the hardest we have ever faced, but Mike carried the heaviest load. Since they were both retired, Mike was home with her, and he was her main support. My sisters and I were so pleased and impressed with the care that Mike gave her. Of course, I’m sure Mike would just say something like, “of course I did, I love her,” but we have all been caregivers, and we know what it entails. No matter how much a caregiver loves their patient or loved one, caregiving is not easy. Mike didn’t care about how hard it was. Alena was the love of his life, his world, and he gave her the very best care, love, and attention we have ever seen. For that we are both proud of Mike and thankful to him. We couldn’t have asked for a better brother-in-law.
Today marks Alena’s 64 birthday, and the first one in Heaven. None of us can believe this is real, but we are 
slowly facing the finality of it. The entire Stevens family is in my thoughts and prayers today, as they face the first of many of her birthdays without Alena. Happy first birthday in Heaven, Alena. I know the party there will be way better than any we could put on here, but we sure wish you were here anyway. We love and miss you very much.
This is likely to be the hardest birthday my brother-in-law, Mike Stevens will ever have. It has only been 25 days since his wife, Alena Stevens went home to be with the Lord. It has been a deeply sad 25 days for all of us, but even more so for Mike, because Alena was the love of his life, his other half, his life partner, and he never wanted their time together to be so short. The were married almost 41 years, and they had built a wonderful life together, and now, he must go on without her. This will be a long transition for Mike, and I just feel so bad for him. It’s such an empty feeling for him. I’m thankful that he has their children, Michelle Miller, Garrett Stevens, and Lacey Killinger to comfort him too. The kids have been staying closely in touch and letting him know that they are there for him. Mike is a good grandpa, and he loves spending time with the kids, Elliott and Maya Stevens, as well as Brooklyn and Jaxon Killinger whenever he can too. 
Over recent years, Mike has been helping brothers-in-law, Mike Reed and Chris Hadlock with various projects they have been doing, so they have become good friends. That is such a blessing, because they are always working on something, and Mike can help them with those projects, and that helps too. Mike Reed has been rebuilding and flipping cars, and Mike Stevens has been helping him with those too. It’s almost become a lucrative new business venture for them. They have become good friends. That friendship has been a source of strength for Mike Stevens through these hard days since Alena’s passing.
Mike has always loved golfing, hunting, and working on cars, and I know that these things will help him to stay busy as time goes on. He is very dedicated to the Lord and attends church every Sunday too. That will also be a source of comfort for him in the days ahead. I know that Mike is going to be ok, but right now, his feelings are very raw, as they are with all of the family. There is just no way to lose your other half, and not feel very 
incomplete for the rest of your life. I know that while Mike will never get over Alena’s passing, he will pick himself up with the help of the family and get on with it, because that is truly all you can do. Today is Mike’s birthday, and while it’s a hard one, I hope there will be some moments of happiness too. Happy birthday Mike. You are in our prayers for peace and comfort. We love you very much.
My brother-in-law, Mike Reed is always a busy man. He is always working on some project, or working on their place, or helping other people. He is one of those people who retired to be his own boss, but make no mistake, he still works. This year, he has been busy working on restoring older vehicles. Many of these cars will be sold, online or at auctions. It’s a rewarding pastime for sure. I know he likes to see what they sell for, as much for the satisfaction of knowing that his hard work iv appreciated as for the money. He and my sister, Caryl Reed have enjoyed the auction circuit, even if the vehicle they sold didn’t go for as much as they had hoped. Still, the vehicle was very much appreciated, the bidding just went low. I suppose that is the nature of auctions. Everyone bids as low as they can to get a good deal. Sometimes the seller wins and sometimes the buyer wins.
Mike has also been helping with the garage raising at our sister, Allyn and brother-in-law, Chris Hadlock’s place. The 
old garage that was there from the time Chris’ parents owned the place, was in pretty bad shape, so the guys, along with brother-in-law, Mike Stevens; their son, Ryan Hadlock; grandson, Ethan Hadlock; and all the girls in the Hadlock family, have worked diligently to tear out the old garage, put up a retaining wall, and build the new garage (which they purchased as a kit) in its place. The new garage is going to be an amazing replacement, with plenty of room for all Chris’ tools, vehicles, and toys.
An avid hunter, Mike is involved in the Dallas Safari Club. That is a club that promotes hunting but also helps the community with donations they receive. One of their greatest projects is to help disabled veterans to do hunts, and they also work to get younger people involved in hunting. For Mike, this is an ideal project and a great way to volunteer and give back to a deserving group of people. Mike really enjoys being a part of that.
Of course, a top priority is the crops Mike and Caryl are growing on their ranch west of Casper. They planted a very large field, and that keeps him busy watering, watching the level of the irrigation pond, which can drop if 
too many people are watering at the same time, and preparing for cuttings as they come along. Mike and Caryl had a very good crop of hay this year, so they are looking forward to selling that when it is harvested. With all that, you might think that Mike has not time to play, but they make sure they carve out a little time, to do anything else. Nevertheless, they have been able to get some golfing in this year too. They deserve a play break sometimes.
My brother-in-law, Chris Hadlock has been having a very busy summer this year, and it doesn’t look like it will slow down anytime soon either. For Chris, that is ok, because he loves living on the property where he grew up, and working on it is truly a “labor of love” for him. Chris and my sister, Allyn Hadlock bought the place after his parents had passed away, and they have been fixing it up ever since. I know his parents would be so pleased with how amazing it looks. They loved that place, and to have their son and his wife living on it and sharing it with the family, keeping the dream in the family would mean the world to them.
Over the years, the house and garage fell into disrepair, and so they removed the doublewide mobile home and built a beautiful two-story house in its place. Now it is time for the garage. Chris, with the help of brothers-in-law, Mike Reed and Mike Stevens, as well as their son, Ryan Hadlock and Ryan’s son, Ethan Hadlock are in the process of building a new garage…his dream garage!! The old one had to be torn down, because it was in “less than great shape!!” First, they built a retaining wall, which has been a big job, in and of itself. Ethan helped a lot with that process!! He became quite adept at driving the tractor.
Withe the arrival of Independence Day, and the week before, Ryan; his wife, Chelsea; and their kids, Ethan and Aurora went camping at Chris and Allyn’s mountain property. Chris decided to take some time off near the 4th of July, so they could join the family on the mountain for the weekend. Daughter; Lindsay Moore; her husband, Shannon; and daughter, Mackenzie joined the family on the mountain too. Then, the family were joined by 
daughter, Kellie Hadlock; her partner, Tim Thompson; as well as the rest of the family for the fireworks display at the Event Center, and again for dinner on Friday night. Daughter, Jessi Sawdon; her husband, Jason; and daughter, Adelaide were in Michigan with Jason’s family this year, so they couldn’t join the family, and they were greatly missed.
Somewhere in between all the activity, the men found time to cut down a couple of dead trees in the back yard! Now, that comment coming from Allyn, caused quite a stir when their daughter, Lindsay commented, “Ummmm!! Kellie and I also ran a chain saw and a cutter, Mom!! The ladies were valuable contributors!!” And a quick recovery from Allyn, “Oh yes!! Thanks for chiming in Lindsay!! We did help also with all the clean-up of the trees!!” We really can’t leave the ladies out of this. The property by the river may be owned by Chris and Allyn, but it is an always will be a “Hadlock Family Project!!” Oh, and the building materials for the garage were delivered last week!! Chris was so excited!!
Lindsay also pointed out a “not often-seen side” of Chris…the “Grandpa Side.” Lindsay tells me, “Grandpa is very tender towards his grandkids. He loves them and wants to take care of them!! I’ve enjoyed watching his relationship with Mackenzie grow. He likes to spend time with her and show her an adventure!! And really for all of us, he’s a really good Dad! He loves us dearly and it shows!! He is always there for us. He is always up for a travel adventure…camping, going to games, beach trips, you name it!! He loves an adventure with his family!!” With Lindsay’s husband, Shannon being a coach for the Wyoming Cowboys, Chris and Allyn have been 
going to games as much as they can. One game was the Wyoming-Air Force game, where they had field passes!! They had a great time!! Today is Chris’ birthday. Happy birthday Chris!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My brother-in-law, Ron Schulenberg is a full 14 years younger than his older brother, Bob…my husband. Oh, there were other siblings, but they were sisters, and for a little boy, that just isn’t the same as a big brother. Big sisters can be bossy, and for a little guy, four older sisters, can be overwhelming. So, having a big brother to balance all that out, is essential!! Even if they aren’t close in age. Bob was always good about taking Rob places with him, so he got to do lots of guys things from a young age. They still spend time working on this today.
When Bob and I started dating, Ron was six years old, and when we got married, he was seven. During our dating years, Ron was a regular fixture in our lives. We took 
him places with us and of course, when Bob and his dad, Walt Schulenberg were working on some vehicle, Rob was there, trying to help. I don’t know how much help he really was, but since he is a great mechanic these days, I doubt if he made any serious mistakes in the early days.
Because I seemed so much taller than Ron in those early years, he kept telling me he was going to get taller one day. Well, that was a given, because I am only 5 feet 2 inches. Still, at seven that somehow doesn’t register as being short. So, every time I saw him, he wanted to see how tall he was 
getting. When the day finally arrived, and he found himself as tall as me, it finally occurred to him that I wasn’t as tall as he thought. The look on his face was a mixture of victory and shock. Victory, because he made it, and shock, because “it” was not where he thought he would be, when he finally made it!! It was all I could do not to laugh, but I think it would have hurt his feelings too much. Nevertheless, he knew the truth, and he never brought the subject up again. Of course, he has long since passed my short stature. Today is Ron’s birthday. Happy birthday Ron!! have a great day!! We love you!!
With every passing year, I find myself wondering how it could have been nine years since my mom, Collene Spencer, left us to go to Heaven. Like she lived her life, my mom went out in her own time, and in her own way…on her own terms. I’m sure that you have heard about having a bucket list. Well, my mom had her own kind of bucket list. After my dad, Allen Spencer graduated to Heaven on December 12, 2007, Mom told us that she was going to stay. I don’t know if she thought we thought she would just give up, and maybe we did to a degree, but she told us that she missed Dad very much, but she felt that she had more to give and that there was more life for her to live.
She talked about the things she wanted to do. Her bucket list was filled with simple things really. She wanted to travel to Washington to visit family up there. My Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim were gone, but their kids, Shirley Cameron and Terry Wolfe were still there, as were their families. She wanted to see them again, so Mom, my sister, Cheryl Masterson and I went in 2013. It was a good trip, even if part of it included my Uncle Jim’s funeral. The next year, we took her to Wisconsin to she family up in the Superior, Wisconsin area. We reconnected with so many people, and had a lovely time, making lasting cousin friendships. Mom got to reconnect her brother-in-law, Bill Spencer, her sister-in-law, Doris Spencer, as well and good cousin friends, Les 
and Bev Schumacher, Carol Carlson, Bernice Hutchison, and several of their family members. Mom was so happy to see her relatives on that side of the family, who had become her close friends too.
Mom had always said that she wouldn’t mind going to Heaven straight from church, and she almost did. On Thursday of that last week, we took Mom to dinner at Red Lobster (one of her favorite places). Then, on Sunday, we all went to church, as we always did, but this day was to be different. Mom’s sister, Evelyn Hushman was in the hospital. She had terminal Breast Cancer, and Mom wanted to get all of her remaining siblings to meet at the hospital to have lunch with Aunt Evelyn. They were all able to make it, except Aunt Dixie Richards. They all had a lovely lunch, and really enjoyed the visit. That night, Mom and my sister, Cheryl had a nice dinner and watched a movie. At 10:00pm, Mom said she was going to bed. Cheryl loaded the dishwasher and went in to take Mom her pills, but Mom would no longer be needing those pills, or any other pills. She was lying on the floor, peacefully. She had not fallen, because nothing was disturbed. She could not have laid down 
there by herself, because her knees would never have allowed that without disturbing everything in the room. You can say what you will, but we know that the angels carefully laid our mom down there on the floor, when they took her spirit to Heaven, because Mom was ready to go. She had been talking about it for weeks, if not months. I think she might have left during church, had it not been for the chance to say goodbye to her siblings. What a blessed way for a blessing of a lady to graduate to Heaven!! We love and miss you so much, Mom. Tell Dad we love and miss him too. You are in our future now, and we will see you both again someday.
On July 1, 2022, my brother-in-law, Mike Stevens retired from a 39-year career in the oil field business, but this story is not about his retirement or his career, because those are things from his past. Following that retirement, Mike and my sister, Alena have been focusing on two things…relaxation and grandchildren. My sister tells me that they don’t do much, but I think they probably do. Whenever the grandchildren are over, I know that the house is suddenly filled with giggling energy, because that is what grandchildren bring. Two of their grandchildren, Elliott and Maya, live in Sheridan, so they don’t get to see them as much, but with retirement, they are making more trip to Sheridan, and their son Garrett and his wife, Kayla will also be bringing the girls to Casper more often. In the meantime, their bonus grandchildren, Brooklyn and Jaxxon Killinger love to spend time at their grandparents’ house. They often come over after school, and that is when the fun gets going. Mike is a kid at heart, and he loves joking and playing with the grandchildren.
And speaking of joking, Mike’s son, Garrett tells me that his dad is always joking around. He is a great jokester. 
He always texts Garrett and his sisters, Michelle Miller and Lacey Stevens (soon to be Killinger) a joke or something like it on April Fools’ Day. For the kids, it isn’t April Fools’ Day until they have received their “Dad’s April Fools’ Day Joke Text” from their dad. Nothing is off limits, and the kids know it. A couple of years ago, Mike group texted Michelle and Lacey, saying that the family dogs, Callie and Ozzy got into some poison, and they woke up to them dead in their kennel. Both Michelle and Lacey were crying at work…when they got the text from their dad saying, “April Fools!!” Well, needless to say, the girls were “so mad!!” Garrett was living in Sheridan This year’s April Fools’ Day text found Mike telling the kids that he had won the lottery!! That one was not as successful, as the kids had learned their lesson, and so caught on pretty quickly. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped Mike from sending out those April Fools’ Day Joke Texts or any other day joke texts. Now, with the grandchildren in the picture, Mike has a whole new audience for his jokes.
This year, Mike has had a much more serious role in life. When my sister, Alena Stevens was diagnosed with very early breast cancer and had to undergo a lumpectomy and radiation, her husband, Mike was literally her 
Rock. No one wants to receive that diagnosis, and not everyone has people standing behind them to support them through the “nightmare.” Alena was very blessed to have Mike and her children behind her when it happened to her. Mike led the way and was a role model for the children on how to “be there” for their mom. That person has to push back their own fears and lift up the person they are supporting. It’s never easy, but it was what Mike did, and what he led his children and grandchildren in doing. He led the way in prayer for her and in his support at home. Now that the cancer is gone, Alena will be forever grateful to Mike and her kids for all they did for her…and to God be all the glory for her healing!! Today is Mike’s birthday. Happy birthday Mike!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
