Rebecca Vogelheim

Vogelheim, 55, Mother, Surfer, Silver Saddle Rancher

Jackson Hole Resident Rebecca Carlsberg Vogelheim passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, with comfort and dignity at home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on April 26, following a 19-month battle with brain cancer.  She was 55.

Becky, the daughter of Richard and Barbara Carlsberg, was born at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in the San Fernando Valley in California, and was raised in Los Angeles.  She began her days surfing at sunrise before school started while attending University High School there in Southern California, and during two semesters while attending summer school at Palau High School in Oahu, Hawaii.

Becky graduated from Arizona State University, WP Carey School of Business in 1987 with aspirations to take over the helm of her family’s business, Carlsberg Financial, but life had other plans.  Her remarkable love of adventure and travel took her to England, where she worked as a nanny, acquired the nickname “Peg Legs” and, it is suspected by those who loved her most, where she honed the uniquely mischievous, infectious and enduring sense of humor she was known for, as well as her masterful gardening skills.

She returned to the United States and her long-established love for the west pulled her to the Rockies and Jackson Hole to serve as the first manager of Brooks Lake Lodge, which had been newly restored by her family.  During this time, she indulged her real love for riding horses in the mountains and over jumps, and stepped naturally into a remarkably deep connection to, and understanding of the West.

In August 1998, Becky began her most cherished role in life as a mother, when she gave birth to her first beloved daughter, Hannah Louise Rigsby.  Lovely Olivia Jane Rigsby was born December 6, 2001.  It was the birth of her third daughter, Katherine Rose Rigsby (“KK” to her family) who sparked her longtime passion for children with disabilities.

Shortly following that, she met the love of her life, Paul Vogelheim, an introduction facilitated by young Hannah and Olivia, at a dinner party.  Paul and Becky shared their mutual love of adventure and travel, partaking in what Becky coined the “Vogelheim Torture Tours”, as she chased Paul up and down mountains around the world.  It was during one of these trips, while visiting a The Tiger’s Nest Monastery at over 10,000 feet above sea level in Bhutan, that Paul proposed to Becky.  They were married on a perfect Wyoming fall day later that year.

Becky was a very active member of the Jackson Hole community and across Wyoming.  She served on the board for Parents Helping Parents Wyoming for 5 years, and for Community Entry Services in Jackson.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a founding member of the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole.

Becky will be buried on her family ranch next to her beloved daughter, Katherine Rose, whom she joins in passing.  She was also preceded in death by her father, Richard Preston Carlsberg.  She is survived by her daughters, Hannah Louise Rigsby and Olivia Jane Rigsby, her mother, Barbara Hearn Carlsberg, sister Dawn Carlsberg McGarvey, brother David Arthur Carlsberg and her beloved husband, Paul Vogelheim

The manner in which Becky will be remembered is perfectly summed by the words of her friend Momo Renkes. “Becky was one of the funniest people I’ve known. Not the loud jokester wearing the lamp shade, but Queen of the one-liners. I marveled at her courage, patience, graciousness and humility. Her eyes never flashed anger or impatience. She never complained or was self-pitying. What she showed the world in the most painful and difficult times was legend.”  She was a fiercely loyal friend, an utterly dedicated mother, and beloved daughter and sister.

A celebration of Becky’s remarkable life will take place May 7, 2019 at 4:00 at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, followed by a community pot luck.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts be directed to St. John’s Hospital Foundation’s Home Care/Hospice. https://stjohnshospitalfoundation.org/ways-to-give/