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Samuel Mads Cottrell was born on Dec. 13, 1933 and passed away on Sept. 27, 2026, in Worland, Wyoming, at the age of 92.
He was born in Burlington, Wyoming, to Joseph Bruce Cottrell and Mary Elnora Jensen Cottrell in their home. Although it was the middle of the winter during his birth, Mads’ father kept opening the window for “fresh air” while his aunt, who was assisting, kept closing it! Mads was born the middle child of three children, with an older sister, Mary June (Jack Wilkins) and a younger brother, Boyd Jensen Cottrell (Janette Rasmussen).
Mads attended school in Burlington, Wyoming, through his junior year of March 1951 and then his family moved to Powell. Mads liked to say he was an above average student. He was very active in football, basketball and track. Even as he aged, one of his most favorite pastimes was sharing memories and stories from those “glory days.” Mads loved telling people that he was known for always saying, “give me that ball!” when the football team needed more yards on the ground! Mads graduated from Powell High School in May of 1952. He really enjoyed school and all its activities.
When Mads was 15 years old, he met another very cute and sweet 15-year-old named Shirley Christiansen from Otto, Wyoming. Although they occasionally dated others, the two kept a very close eye on each other and quickly became high school sweethearts. As two 18- year-olds, the couple wanted to marry soon after high school and were able to do so on July 3, 1952 in the Logan, Utah, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple. Their sealing has always been the foundation of their beautiful marriage and a great blessing to them and their posterity.
With Shirley’s help, Mads graduated from NWCC in Powell in 1954 and the University of Wyoming in 1956 with a BS degree in General Agriculture and sufficient educational credits to teach high school vo-ag and science. Later, he received a master’s degree from the University of Wyoming in 1968 and attended the University of Notre Dame and Oregon State University.
Shortly after his college graduation, Mads and Shirley decided to accept a job offer in Meeteetse, Wyoming, where they thought they would live for “just a short time.” The couple were blessed with five children: Nancy, Dale, Carrie, Connie and Carl. They ended up loving the little town of Meeteetse and lived there for 37 years where they enjoyed raising their children and the community became some of their best friends. Mads taught Vo-Ag and Earth Science for 20 years in the Meeteetse school system and later became the school counselor for 16 more years. He greatly enjoyed the relationships he made with the students and faculty.
As faithful, active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mads and Shirley spent a lifetime of service in many callings. Mads served as a bishop in Meeteetse, as the Cody, Wyoming, stake president, and as a temple sealer in both the Billings, Montana, temple and the Mesa, Arizona, temple. He loved sharing his deep testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ with all who would listen. Mads and Shirley were thrilled to be able to serve a church mission in Adam Ondi Ahman in Missouri for 2.5 years where Mads served part of that time as the mission director. Mads also enjoyed serving and participating on many local, county, and state civic committees and councils. Known as a very friendly and kind person, everywhere Mads went, he made a new friend!
Shirley passed away Sept. 25, 2012 after 60 years of a wonderful, heavenly marriage. She was a very devoted and caring wife, mother and friend.
Two years later, Mads met and married Rose Marie Bullen Hammond on Oct. 24, 2014 in Powell, Wyoming. They enjoyed the cool summers in Powell, Wyoming, in the Cottrell home and the warm winters in the Hammond home in Mesa, Arizona. The two enjoyed serving in the Billings, Montana, and Mesa, Arizona, LDS temples. Rose Marie passed away in Gilbert, Arizona, on Jan. 15, 2019 and is buried in the Hammond Family plot in Mesa, Arizona.
As his health began declining and after living for as long as he could in his beloved home in Powell, he finally relented to entering the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in March. The family appreciates the care he received there!
Mads is survived by three of his children: Carrie (Desmond Bennion) of Casper, Wyoming, Connie (John Moore) of Powell, Wyoming, Carl Christiansen (Candace Doerr) serving in the Arizona Flagstaff Mission, and daughter-in-law Irena Cottrell of Hudson, Wisconsin, 21 grandchildren, and 47 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his step daughter Ruth Hammond Ott (Randy Ott), who became like another daughter, seven Hammond stepsons, Marian, Milton, John, James, Adam, Aaron and Andrew and their spouses and many step-grand and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three of his brother and sisters in law, Alan and Nancy Christiansen and Norma Christiansen, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter Nancy and her husband Steve Kruger, son Dale Christiansen Cottrell, grandson Joshua Cottrell, his parents, siblings, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
A funeral service will be held for Mads in the LDS Chapel at 527 West Seventh St., in Powell, Wyoming, on Oct. 5, 2026 at 10 a.m. A viewing will be held beforehand at the church at 9 a.m. Burial will be in the Burlington Cemetery in the family plot at 1:30 p.m. Mads’ favorite color was yellow! The family invites those attending the service to join them in wearing yellow to honor Mads and his cheerful, sunny disposition!
Memorial gifts can be made to the Cottrell Family Scholarship at NWC Foundation; 231 W Sixth St., Powell, WY 82435, or online at tinyurl.com/InMemoryMads.
