MARTHA JEAN RICH (NÉE SHIELDS)

July 13, 1945–March 4, 2025

Services for Martha J. Rich were held on Monday, March 10, at 2 p.m. at Weston County Senior Citizen Center, with burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Newcastle, Wyoming. Coffee and remembrance followed at the senior center in Newcastle. Visitation for friends and family were
at Meridian Mortuary on Sunday, March 9, from 6–8 p.m.

Martha was born on Friday, July 13, 1945, (something she was always very proud of) and left her mortal bonds on March 4, 2025, after her courageous battle with cancer, reuniting with her husband, Ronnie.

She was born to Orval and Mae Shields in Newcastle. Martha was the ninth of 10 children and the first to be born in a hospital. She attended schools in Osage and Upton, graduating from Upton High School in 1964.

On April 23, 1968, Martha married Ronald D. Rich in Newcastle at the Newcastle Assembly of God Church.

In her life, Martha was a Sunday school teacher, a Girl Scouts Brownie leader, a Daisies leader, worked at Red Owl, Jack and Jill, Newcastle Floral, and Super Kmart in Greeley, Colorado. She had a day-care in Williston, North Dakota. Two jobs she excelled in was at the Weston County Manor as a nutritional services aid for nine years and at the Weston County Hospital as a dietary aide for nine years.

Perhaps the most dedicated position she held was that of a mother. In 1970, she gave birth to her first daughter, Corinda Rae. In 1973, she gave birth to Candice Jo.

Martha is survived by Cori and her friend Phil, and Candi (Earl); grandchildren, Kellan, Shelby, Morgan, and Nathan; bonus grandchildren, Corey and Melinda, Caleb and Hunter; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Brooke, JJ, Kolter, Autumn, Keaton, Adisyn, and Paizley; brother, John (Bertie) Shields of Casper, Wyoming; and sisters, Lois of Torrington, Wyoming, and Sarah (John) Wolf of Mesa, Arizona. She is also survived by her in-laws, Carolyn Shields, Marilyn Wright, Terry (Barrett) Rich, Dick (Bonnie) Rich, and Brenda (Alfred) Costello, all of Newcastle, and Evelyn Shields of Texas; and best friend, Barb Johnson of Newcastle; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Preceding her in death were her husband of 42 years, Ronnie; twin great-grandchildren, Elena and Aliza; her parents, Orval and Mae Shields; brothers, Charles and Jim Shields; sisters, Esther, Betty, Naomi, and Ruth Shields; in-laws, extended family, and friends.

Pallbearers are her daughters, Cori and Candi, Phil and Earl, Barrie and Shelby. Honorary pallbearers are Barb Johnson, John Shields, Terry and Dick Rich, and Terry and Neta Jenkins.

A memorial has been established and donations can be sent to Brenda Costello at 421 Deanne Ave., Newcastle, Wyoming, 82701.

Honor our mother and best friend, the Matriarch — she welcomes you.

Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave., Newcastle, WY, 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at meridianmortuary.com.