DONNA LEIGH "CARMIN" RICKS

Donna Leigh (Carmin) Ricks passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, in the place she proudly called home for all of her 70 years. After nearly 15 years of courageously battling cancer, her body grew tired, but her loving and resilient spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Born on Monday, February 21, 1955, to George Eastman and Ruby Esther (Edson) Carmin in Douglas, Wyoming, Donna was the youngest of four daughters. Life on the Carmin ranch shaped her early years as she and her sisters worked cattle alongside their father, while her mother taught her grace and poise through many lessons in etiquette. That mix of grit and class defined Donna throughout her life-her cowgirl spirit never wavered, yet she carried herself with elegance wherever she went.

At the University of Wyoming, Donna met the love of her life, Ed Ricks, and together they began a 50-year love story filled with adventure, devotion, and countless blessings. After living in several Wyoming towns, they settled in Douglas, near her childhood home in Orin. There, they built careers, lifelong friendships, and most importantly, their family. They welcomed their daughter Kass, followed three years later by twins Calley and Garrett, and together created a childhood full of love, laughter, and memories that still bind the family today.

After retiring from successful careers in their beloved Douglas community, Donna and Ed traveled the world before spending winters in Maricopa, Arizona, where they enjoyed playing golf nearly every day and surrounded themselves with yet another circle of cherished friends.

Donna's greatest joy was her family. She never wavered in her love and support of her children and delighted in every milestone-graduations, marriages, and especially the arrival of her four grandchildren: Carmin, Coy, Archer, and Finleigh. As their GranD, she filled their lives with joy-whether riding around the ranch, doing art projects, playing golf and basketball, or reading bedtime stories. Each grandchild shared a unique bond with her, and she made certain they knew how deeply she loved them.

Some of the family's most treasured traditions were their spring break trips to Mexico, where every year they made memories filled with laughter, sunshine, and togetherness-moments that will be cherished forever and serve as a reminder of the unbreakable bonds she nurtured.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, and her nephews.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Ed; her children Kass (Ryan), Calley (Chase), and Garrett (Lea); her beloved grandchildren Carmin, Coy, Archer, and Finleigh; her sisters Jacque (Craig) and Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.

To know Donna was to love her. She had a gift for making everyone feel special-whether family, friend, or acquaintance. Even through her health struggles, she never complained, choosing instead to focus on others with kindness, care, and compassion. She will be deeply missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, extended family, and the countless friends whose lives she touched. Her legacy of love, strength, and grace will carry on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the Upper Ag Building on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds, 400 West Center Street, Douglas, Wyoming. Inurnment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

Serving as urn bearers will be Garrett Ricks, Chase Plumb, Ryan Sprague, Carmin Plumb, Coy Plumb, Archer Sprague, and Finleigh Ricks.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Douglas Community Club Foundation, P.O. Box 571, Douglas Wyoming. 82633.

The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com