David Willis Twitchell

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David Willis Twitchell, 85 years of age, peacefully passed through the veil into the loving arms of his sweetheart and loving wife of 42 years, Lena Mae Jewart.

David died Friday, April 3, the birthday of his aunt Terry Lester whom he adored, at the home of his cousins, Ren and Margaret Lester in Hilliard.

Named after his maternal and paternal grandfathers, David was the first of nine children, born July 5, 1934, to Aubra Moore and Florence June Roberts Twitchell in Evanston. Even though he missed the 4th of July as his birth date, there were always fireworks whenever he was around. He loved water fights with his family, to tease and be teased, pulling pranks and he always had a joke to tell to anyone he met everywhere.

David’s siblings — Sharon (John) Dent, Joy (Jerry) Bell, Beverly (Glen) Kaiser, Gaye (Larry) Brenning, Aubrey Butch Twitchell, Sue (Steve) Batchfield, Wendy Parsons and Gary (Kim) Twitchell — never knew what prank he might pull on them next.

David’s parents moved from Evanston to Mountain View, the home of his father, where he attended school. Later, the Twitchell family moved to Ten Sleep, where Dave completed his education.

David was proud to have served his country in the United States Army. Stationed in Colorado, he served in the very last mule pack infantry, where he broke and trained mules to pack equipment and supplies in mountainous terrain for the United States Army.

David married Elizabeth Ferguson Feb. 21, 1957. Terry Lynn, his only child, was born to this union. They later divorced. On Nov. 14, 1975, he married the love of his life, Lena Mae Jewart, the daughter of Ed and Nellie Terry Jewart, in Worland. Dave and Lena worked for many of the ranchers in that area.

Dave also worked as a roustabout and an equipment operator in the oilfields near Riverton. In 1995, they purchased their first home situated on 2 acres of land near Kinnear (Fremont County). Lena loved her pet geese, Gertrude and Gomer; her pet dog, Panda; garage sales, one-dollar bills, pretty dishes, stuffed animals, dolls and all kinds of frogs. Later, another mobile home, the palace, was moved to their property, where she kept all of her treasures. She loved all animals, especially the rabbits and deer. She loved her grandsons, Zach and Jessie, but more than anyone else, she loved David.

The couple continued to live in Kinnear until Lena’s passing in Riverton on Aug. 28, 2017, at the age of 81. Lena’s birthday was March 25, 1936. On July 3, 2019, because of a work-related injury years before that crippled David’s left arm, a botched eye surgery that left David blind in one eye and heart disease, David was no longer able to live on his own, so he moved to Evanston to live with his cousins, Ren and Margaret Lester.

David taught us hard work, take care of your belongings, be happy with the simple things in life, gratitude and to love your spouse with all your heart. At the close of every day, he always said, “Goodnight, and thanks for everything.”

David is survived by his daughter, Terry Lynn; siblings, Joy, Beverly, Gaye, Sue, Wendy and Gary; grandchildren, Emmy Jensen, Zach, Jesse and Nikki Elkins; great-grandsons, Chase, Tristian and Rowdy Elkins, and Jace and Jax Jensen; great-granddaughter, Andrea Elkins; Lena’s niece, Joy Hart; and David’s cousins, Ren and Margaret Lester and their family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; stepson, James Wayne Elkins; sister, Sharon Dent and her two infant sons; brother, Butch; brothers-in-law, Bob Anderson, Glen Kaiser and Jerry Bell; and nieces Tammy Bell and Jessica.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life honoring David and Lena will take place at a later date.

Goodbye, David, and thanks for everything.