Eric Victor Dolence, 95, died on March 21, 2022, with his family by his side.  He was born July 29, 1926, in Rock Springs WY, to Anton and Anna (Tratnik) Dolence.  He attended school in Rock Springs at Lowell Elementary and received his diploma from Rock Springs High School with the class of 1944.  He was drafted into service during World War II and he served in the United States Navy as an aviation ordanceman.  He was discharged honorably on April 26, 1946 and following his tour of duty he worked for Bennett, Lewis and Frates Construction.  Later, he started work as an apprentice autobody man at Excelsior Motors. He then started his own business Eric’s Body Shop.  He operated that business for more than 40 years and retired in 1992.

He married Joan Margaret Ripperger on October 17, 1958 in Fort Dodge, Iowa and they had two children.  He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Community and St. Laurence O’Toole, the Elks Lodge, the American Legion and the United Mine Workers of America.  His interests included spending time at his Kendall valley cabin, fly fishing, hunting, walking, reading and a fan of football especially the Wyoming Cowboys.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Dolence; one son, Kurt Dolence and wife Julia of Laramie, WY; one daughter, DeAnn Anderson and husband Dan of Jackson, WY; four grandchildren, Sarah and Allison Dolence, and Rebekka and Rachel Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Anton and Anna; brother Edwin Dolence and sister Blanche Zaversnik.  A private Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Laurence O’Toole and interment will be in the Laramie Greenhill Cemetery.