Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Billie Lou Bruckner of Casper, WY passed away peacefully, in Casper, with her family by her side on November 9th.

Funeral services will be held at Mortimer's Funeral Home in Thermopolis, WY on Saturday, November 18th at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Monument Hill Cemetery followed by a lunch reception at the Fairgrounds building.

A Celebration of Life for friends and family will also be held at Occasions by Cory (303 S. Wolcott) in Casper, WY on Sunday, November 19th from 1pm-3pm.

Billie Lou Bruckner was born in Worland, WY to Margie & Eugene (Tweet) Bunch on August 9, 1943. She grew up in Thermopolis, WY. She spent a lot of her childhood with her loving grandparents, Dave and Ruby King.

Billie Lou married Kenny Westlake of Riverton, WY and in that marriage they had a daughter, Penny Kaye. They later divorced and Billie Lou met and married Gary McDaniel in November of 1963. Together, they had two daughters, Jodie Lee & DeAnna Lynn. As a family, they lived in many places throughout the years including Wyoming, Idaho, Missouri, Utah and Texas traveling with Gary's work. Later they were divorced.

In 1991, Billie Lou married the love of her life, Bill Bruckner. In that marriage, she gained 3 stepsons Joseph Casciato, Chris Brucker and Delbert Bruckner. With Billie Lou's 3 daughters and Bill's 3 sons, they often laughingly referred to themselves as "The Brady Bunch". Together Billie Lou and Bill loved to travel the country, visiting yard sales and auctions at any chance they got. Together they were always looking for the best deal. They shared a common love for collecting "stuff" . Bill passed away in 2006.

Billie spent most of her life taking care of her home and her family. She loved painting and decorating in and around her home and she had a great eye for that. She was a very good homemaker and a wonderful cook. Throughout her younger years, she worked as a waitress, bartender, grocery store clerk, and she also spent some years working as a house painter in Worland. Later in life, she also worked as a landlord and took care of her numerous rental properties.

Billie Lou moved to Casper in 2012 to be closer to her family. She never met a stranger in her life, and moving to Casper was no different as she made many new friends and relationships in her later years. She always was the life of the party and kept everyone laughing with her quick wit and sometimes untimely humor. If you knew Billie Lou, one thing was sure, she left a mark on your life. She had a happy spirit and dealt with all that life had to offer with a lot of laughter. Whether it was a lasting relationship or a chance encounter, you can bet she probably made you laugh. Her light-hearted spirit will live on forever in stories and memories from her friends and family. She loved classic country music, gambling, clothes and shopping. Most of all, Billie Lou loved her family, friends and just having a good time. She always loved the time she got to spend with her 3 daughters.

Billie Lou is preceded in death by her mother, Margie Franks; her dad, Eugene (Tweet) Bunch; step-dad, George Franks; husband Bill Bruckner; brother Terry Bunch; sister, Pamela Crissman and step-son, Chris Bruckner.

Billie Lou is survived by her 3 daughters: Penny (Lannie) Fladeland of Casper, WY , their children; Bruce Poulos(Kortnie), Cory Poulos(Brian), Jake Fladeland, Fawn Shad(Chris), Jori Lucich(Arek).

Jodie (Jesse) Blom of Ozark, MO; Their children: Joe Polydoros, Jillian Blom, Jace Blom.

DeAnna McDaniel of San Francisco, CA; her daughters: Olivia Adame, Ciara Adame.

Her Step-sons: Joseph (Toni) Casciato of Thermopolis, WY and their children: Lyle, Cole and Kylie and Luke Casciato.

Delbert (Shauna) Bruckner of Torrington, WY and their children: Jay and Summer.

The late Chris Bruckner's children: William(Jenell) and Katie(Kellen)Flood.

Her brothers: David (Diana) Franks of Midland, TX; Dale (Shelly) Haarr of Kalispell, MT.

Her friend and companion, Butch Lance.