Corliss Ann Carlson

Corliss Carlson was born in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on May 10, 1945, and passed to our heavenly Father on March 24, 2026, in Casper, Wyoming. She was the first-born child of Gordon and Margaret Mickelson of Big Piney, Wyoming. Corliss was born after her father had been deployed to Germany during World War II and she and her mother lived with Gordon’s parents on the family ranch in Big Piney for the first 18 months of her life. She attended school in Big Piney until she was a sophomore in high school when she transferred to Bishops High School in La Hoya, California. Bishops was a boarding school for girls and her attendance there provided her with many lifelong friends who came to Wyoming more than once to visit, after Corliss returned home. Following graduation from Bishops, Corliss attended Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri for one semester then transferred to the University of Wyoming.

After college she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to take a job with a bank at the urging of one of her Bishops friends, Marsha Berger. While in Albuquerque she met Wayne Poindexter. Corliss and Wayne were married in Big Piney on August 6, 1965. They returned to Albuquerque for a short time where Wayne worked with his father on the family dairy farm. Wayne was drafted into the Army, and they moved to a base in Virginia where their first child was born, Anthony Wayne Poindexter, II. After Wayne’s service time ended, they returned to Albuquerque and resumed life on the dairy operation where Deborah Allison was born. Shortly after Deborah’s birth the couple moved to Big Piney and took over the operation of one of her family’s ranches. Soon after, Gloria Emily Ann was born.

After a few years on the ranch, Corliss began working at the State Bank of Big Piney, at first planning a short-term stint to raise money to buy a piano. That piano is now present in Emily’s home. The decision to go to work turned into a career! Corliss and Wayne decided to go separate ways while she worked at the bank and in 1985 she married Jay Carlson. Together they brought together a blended family with Tony, Deborah and Emily, Suzan, Vickie and Pete. Jay’s work as a federal forest official soon moved the family, including only Emily and Pete, who were still in school, to Cody, Wyoming, where Corliss continued her career and eventually retired from the bank. For several years after, she worked as a bookkeeper and Office Manager for a small business in the area. She proudly served on the Cody Stampede Rodeo Board for several years; serving as Chairman her last year. Around 2012 Jay retired from the Forest Service and in 2014 the couple sold their home in Cody and moved to Mesquite, Nevada. They also purchased a large camp trailer, which they stationed on Jay’s daughter, Suzan’s land in Marbleton. They spent their summers in Sublette County and their winters in Mesquite for a few years. They finally sold the Mesquite home and the camper to settled in Lander, Wyoming in 2019, following the death of Corliss’ parents, who had a home there. Corliss lived in Lander until her death.

In addition to her service on the Stampede Rodeo Board, Corliss was a 50+ year member of the Order of Easter Star, serving as Worthy Matron in Big Piney Chapter #42 in 1980. She stepped away from the Order during her years in Cody and Mesquite; however, she joined Olivett Chapter #3 in Lander and was an active member there. She also enjoyed working with the girls in Job’s Daughters, serving as Bethal Guardian in Big Piney and Cody, where her girls participated. She had many loves in her life beginning with her family, including all her kids and grandkids and her nieces and nephews. She loved George Strait, who she considered the King of Country Music! She thought so much of him that she named her beloved Black Lab pup, George! Growing up on the ranch she had a love for the land and truly put her heart into the landscaping around her homes, wherever she lived! Although she was never shy about sharing her opinions, she had a beautiful heart and loved the people around her.

Corliss is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Margaret Mickelson, three brothers, James, Gordon and Eric and one sister, Margaret, her beloved husband Jay, one nephew, Jon Mickelson and a great nephew, Gabrial Anderson. She is survived by her brother Mark (Diane) Mickelson and sister Mildred (Tom) Abernathy, her children, Tony Poindexter, Deborah Grandy, Emily Andrews, Suzan (Sutton) Trulock, Pete (Tisha) Calrson, and Vickie (Glen) Wurtz, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and untold friends, Sisters and Brothers in Eastern Star and community partners, all of whom will miss her dearly.

A Reception will be held immediately following the Graveside Services in the Masonic Hall, Big Piney Lodge No. 47, 403 Main Street, Marbleton, Wyoming 83113.

Please sign the online guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.