Norma "Gail" (Hemler) O'Haver, 89, of Sundance passed away December 15, 2010 at the Crook County Long-Term Care in Sundance, Wyoming.

Gail was born to Sadie Inez (Davis) Hemler and Chester Louis Hemler September 23, 1921 in the house her Granddad A.A. Hemler built in 1902 in Government Valley east of Sundance. A neighbor woman assisted in the birth due to Dr. Clarenbaugh having a flat tire and not arriving until after the birth. Gail joined a sister, Laura Naomi born July 6, 1919 and on June 8 1924, a brother, Chester Ellis was born to complete the Hemler family.

The three Hemler children attended the Government Valley School. Due to the drought and depression of the 1930's, the family bought an old second-hand Ford truck, loaded a few belongings and their favorite black and white cat, Doofer, and on September 1, 1936 headed west to Idaho, settling in the small lumber town of St. Maries. After a 20-month stay, they repacked their few belongings and Doofer and returned to the Hemler ranch to help Chester's brother, Brian, care for their ailing parents. Gail often commented that the day they left Wyoming was the worst day of her life and the best day of her life was when they returned.

In the fall of 1937, Naomi and Gail attended St. Martin's Catholic boarding school in Sturgis, SD where Naomi graduated in 1938. In the fall of 1940, Gail and Ellis entered Sundance High School, where Gail graduated in 1941. The following fall Gail enrolled in the Spearfish Normal School, earned her teaching permit, and taught in several Weston County country schools.

On December 4,1947, she married Loren Dell O'Haver. They ranched with Loren's folks south of Sundance on the ranch located on O'Haver Hill. In June 1959, 13 days before the birth of their first daughter, Janette Gail, they moved a few miles north to their own ranch purchased from Willis Butolph. On November 2, 1956, their second daughter Katherine Dell was born.

Loren and Gail continued to ranch until 1998. Gail suffered a brain aneurysm on October 17, 1998 while moving cattle on her "Blue Horse" 4-wheeler. In February 1999, after a full recovery, Gail moved back to the ranch where she continued to live independently until a fall in 2006 forced her to move into the Crook County Long-term Care.

Survivors include her two daughters, Janette (Dave) Heidtke, Reedsburg, WI and Kathy (Tom) Gearhart, Sundance, WY. Grandchildren Christopher (Ally) Hagen, Hammond, WI; Anne (Sean) Rapier, Lincoln, NE; Susie Hagen, Milwaukee, WI, Joe Wilson, Beulah, WY, Robert (Meagan) Wilson, Sundance, WY, and Tyson Gearhart, Sundance, WY; step-grand children Heidi and Heather Heidtke, WI. One brother Ellis Hemler, Newcastle, WY, sister-in-law Loretta (Bill) Durfee, Sundance, WY; niece Dorothy Kaiser, Belle Fourche, SD; nephews Wayne (Angela) O'Haver, Terrell, TX, Douglas (Karen) Hemler, Golden, CO and Lee Habeck, Sundance,WY. She is also survived by great-granddaughters Zoey and Peyton Wilson and Olivia Hagen and 3 step great-grand children.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Loren and her sister, Naomi Habeck.

Gail was known as a hard worker and Friday's would find her driving her Scout to town to deliver her fresh milk, cream, butter, and eggs. Gail truly loved the land she lived on and respected all creatures of nature, a trait she learned from her dad and passed onto the next generations.

Gail will be cremated and graveside services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gail's name to the Crook County Long-term Care.

Fidler-Roberts and Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance, WY has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com