Carol Agnes Petersen

Obituary

Carol Agnes Petersen

December 31, 1942- March 14, 2026

Carol Agnes Petersen, 83, passed away on March 14, 2026, in Basin, Wyoming with her daughter and granddaughter by her side.

She was born in Anaconda, Montana, on December 31, 1942, to John Emmanuel and Helen Phoebe (Mehelich) Aspholm. After finishing her schooling, Carol was married on June 15, 1967. Although the marriage did not last, it brought her the greatest joy of her life—her daughter, Staci.

Carol was determined to provide a stable and loving home for her daughter and was never afraid of hard work. She spent 35 years living on a ranch near Mosby Montana where she wore many hats. She handled bookkeeping, kept the household running, cooked for the Brown Ranch in Sand Springs, delivered mail as a rural mail carrier for 30 years, worked as a teacher's aide for both Winnett School and Sand Springs School, and helped out with countless other jobs around the Winnett community.

One role she was particularly proud of was serving as the polling judge for her rural precinct. On election days, neighbors would come to the family home to vote, which meant the house had to be "Home & Garden magazine clean." At 7 p.m., Carol would step out onto the front porch and loudly announce, "The polling is closed!" a declaration meant for both the neighbors and the coyotes.

Carol fully embraced being a "New Year's baby" and was known for celebrating her birthday each year at the Winnett Bar, where she was often the life of the party. She also had a creative streak and won several Halloween costume contests over the years with costumes entirely of her own making. She loved the beauty of the outdoors, had a strong and persevering spirit, and wasn't afraid to chase a goal.

Because she married young, Carol never had the opportunity to graduate with her class. Determined to finish what she started, she went back to school and proudly earned her GED in 2000 proof that it is never too late to accomplish something important.

After she earned her GED, she moved back to her childhood hometown of Anaconda Montana. She worked in the activities department at the nursing home there for a few years, a job she truly enjoyed. However, she realized that she was missing out on seeing her grandchildren grow so she packed up and moved to Basin, Wyoming. She helped out by being the "Granny Nanny" and was able to build a special relationship with each of them over the last 15 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, infant Mary Anne Aspholm and Dorothy Larson.

She is survived by her daughter, Staci (Jerry "JD") Briscoe of Basin, Wyoming; brothers John (Audrey) Aspholm of Anaconda, Montana, Joseph Aspholm and James (Nancy) Aspholm of Spokane, Washington; sisters Michelle Treible of Forsyth, Montana, and Therese (John) Hucal of California; grandchildren Brandon Briscoe of Basin, David (Elizabeth) Briscoe of Sheridan, Wyoming, Kaitlynn Briscoe of Basin, Nacona (Tyler) Trujillo of Sheridan, and

LaKeisha Trevino of Sheridan; and great-grandchildren Peter, Zaidren, Harlow, Rayne, and Bella'Jo.

Cremation has taken place and no formal services are planned at this time.

Carol loved a beautiful garden and was always a little sad to see flowers cut for bouquets. In keeping with that sentiment, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent in the form of a plant or flower that can be planted and enjoyed year after year. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.