Alma M. Whalen, 98, of Cheyenne passed away on June 17, 2018, at Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne.
She was born December 12, 1919 in Greeley County, Nebraska to William and Malinda (Vanosdall) Swanson. She grew up on her family’s farm. She graduated from high school in Greeley, Nebraska.
She married Leo J. Whalen, October 30, 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska. They made their homes in Greeley, Mead and Hastings, Nebraska. They moved to Cheyenne in 1956, transferring with Leo’s job at Warren Air Force Base. Alma worked in Cheyenne for General Dynamics and Blue Cross Blue Shield. After their retirements, Alma and Leo spent the winter months at Tower Point Resort in Mesa, Arizona.
She enjoyed hiking Wyoming mountain ranges and Arizona canyons. She hiked the 20-mile Havasupai Trail into the Grand Canyon at the age of 80. Her passion was playing Pinochle with her many friends at Tower Point Resort, the Airport Golf Club and Cheyenne Newcomers Club.
She is survived by children, Joe (Nancy) Whalen, Ann (Don) Rhodes, Jim (Mary) Whalen all of Cheyenne, Jeannette (Oscar Williams) Whalen of Glenn, CA, Patricia (Newt) Holland of Kennewick, WA, and daughter-in-law Mary Beth (Bill) Whalen of Rocklin, CA; sister Jesse Grasso of Surprise, AZ; 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo; son, Bill; sisters, Clara Rose, Meta Welsh Hansen and Beulah Jeffres Petersen; brothers, Clyde Swanson and Carl Swanson.
A Vigil for the Deceased will be held Sunday, June 24th at 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Chapel. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Monday the 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Cathedral with internment in Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Davis Hospice Center or the Audubon Society (rockies.audubon.org).
Cremation is under the care of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home.
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