Marilyn Desmond

Marilyn Desmond, 59, of Lander, went home to Jesus on May 1, 2026, at home surrounded by family. A celebration of life will be 2–4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, in the Livery Stable at the Fremont County Pioneer Museum, 1443 Main Street, Lander, Wyoming.

Marilyn Darlene Smith was born on July 28, 1966, in Elko, Nevada, to Merlin Aileen Stewart and Richard Darrel Smith. She had four siblings on her mother’s side: Janet (Herman), Joyce (Marlatt), Utahna (Bourne), and Melvin Jewart. After losing her mother at birth, Marilyn grew up on her mother’s family ranch north of Lander at Milford, Wyoming, where she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Doc and Ellen Stewart, along with her beloved uncle, Bobby Stewart. Through them, she gained additional siblings: Frank, Karen, Billy, and Diana.

Marilyn attended school in Lander and grew up enjoying ranch life, especially rodeo and horses. She had a special love for her horse, Racket.

She married Richard Gould, and together they had three children: Christina, Amanda, and Heather. She later married Larry Desmond, and they had one daughter, Brandy. The couple later divorced.

Marilyn loved fishing—sometimes with her dog, Gus—attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school events, scrapbooking, putting together puzzles, and growing her plant collection. She could never say no to adding another dog to the family, and occasionally welcomed other animals as well.

Marilyn was defined by her devotion to family, her faith, and her kind heart, always ready to help others. Among the many lessons she passed on to her daughters, the value of hard work was one of the greatest. She worked various jobs in Lander, most recently at the Wyoming Life Resource Center.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her mother, Merlin Stewart; her sister, Diana Stewart; and her brothers, Billy Stewart and Melvin Jewart.

She is survived by her daughters, Christina (Seth) George of Lander, Amanda Jones of Casper, Heather Gould of Lander, and Brandy (Skip) Crooks of Hudson; her father, Richard Smith of Nevada; and 13 grandchildren.

Please sign the online guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.