Wyoming
Obituaries: Cheney; Kenny; Lott; Snell
Patricia Ann “Pat” Cheney: 1939 – 2025
Patricia Ann “Pat” Cheney, 86, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at Banner Medical Center Friday May 23, 2025. Viewing and visitation will be held Bustard & Jacoby, 600 CY Avenue, Casper, Wyoming 82601, on May 28, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. On May 29, 2025, a rosary service will be held at 11:30 a.,m. and followed by funeral services at 12 p.m. with Father Clark of Our Lady of Fatima officiating at Bustard & Jacoby. Interment will follow at Freeland Cemetery. After interment a celebration of life will be held at the Cheney Ranch.
Pat was born on April 5, 1939, to Joseph Kasper and Martha Lucinda (Congelton) Kasper in Casper, Wyoming. She grew up in Casper, attending St. Anthony’s Tri-Parish Catholic School and graduating from Natrona County High School. Baptized into the Catholic faith, she was a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was a member of the Natrona County Cow-Bellesand a volunteer at the Casper Elks Lodge and other Casper area Christian faith-based organizations. On January 25, 1958, Pat married William (Bill) Cheney, in Casper, Wyoming. Together, they shared an agrarian and aviation-focused lifestyle. Pat served as a mother and was a diligent ranch wife until selling the ranch to son Bob in 1987. Her and Bill moved to Paradise Valley in 1998 and continued to operate Cheney Flying Service for over 30 years until retiring. Pat was a dedicated walker and put in at least two miles a day enjoying her walks by the Platte River. Later in life Pat learned to play guitar and enjoyed jam sessions playing and singing with close family friends Erle and Charlee Barto.
She is survived by brother, John F. Kasper; son, Daniel Albert (Dan) Cheney; and granddaughter, Peggy Jean Cheney. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Cheney; son, Robert Gene (Bob) Cheney; parents, Joseph and Martha Kasper; five sisters and six brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Natrona County Cow-Belles. Pat’s life was a testament to faith, family, and hard work, and she will be deeply missed. Online condolences for Pat’s family may be made at www.bustardcares.com.
Mary Verdonna Kenny: 1932 – 2025
Mary “Donna” Verdonna Kenny, age 92, of Casper, Wyoming passed away November 2, 2024. She was born August 12, 1932, in Toledo, Ohio to Rollin and Mary (McGinley) Brunner.
She moved her family to Casper in the early 1960s. She worked at Wyoming Stationery and Wyoming Medical Center. She retired from the hospital in 1992.
She loved cooking for her grandson, Paul and his wife, Amber.
For the past several years she wintered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved sitting on the porch watching the neighbors come and go. She enjoyed playing Bingo but loved gambling in Laughlin and going to the swap meet on Sundays. She would get up early to accompany her daughter to the pickle ball courts. She made lots of friends in the neighborhood that truly treated her like their second mom.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Smith (Fred); daughter-in-law, Karen Didion (Jerry); as well as her grandchildren: Paul Smith (Amber), Andrew Didion, Adam Didion; great-grandchildren: Brittany Smith, Kade Henry, Shyla Hoffman, Orion Smith, and Preslee Cagle; as well as her great-great grandchildren: Damien Houser, Ariyan Agena, and Koen Cagle; sister, Judith Glass; brother, Carl Brunner; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Bob Kenny; son, Jerry C. Didion; grandson, Kris M. Smith; her parents; and eight siblings.
A celebration of life will be held at her daughter’s home on June 16, 2025 from 3 to 6. For location contact Carol 307-277-2277.
Janice Rae Lott: 1941 – 2025
Janice Rae Lott, born in Riverton, Wyoming, passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 83. Known for her resilience, sharp wit, and quiet strength, Janice built a life rooted in simple joys—gardening, bowling, camping, square dancing, playing cards, and spending time with her beloved dog, Jack.
She raised four children in Washington before moving to Casper, Wyoming in the late 1990s, where she lived alongside her son, Robert. She was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who found comfort in the everyday and joy in her family.
Janice is survived by her sister, Judy Johnson; her children: Robert Lott, Jo Peavler, James Lott, and Tami McKnight (Troy Marker); eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jean Ewing; and her sister, Roberta Harrington.
Please make donations to Casper Humane Society or Central Wyoming Hospice.
Roger (Rog) Lee Snell: 1944 – 2025
Roger (Rog) Lee Snell, 81, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at his home on May 22, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born on March 2, 1944, in Hanna, Wyoming, Roger was the son of Bernard (Barney) and Violet Snell. He grew up alongside his brothers and sister and graduated from Natrona County High School in 1963. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving from 1963 to 1967 during the Vietnam era aboard the USS Alamo LSD-33. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
In 1968, Roger married Sandra Ames, and together they raised two children, William and Dianna. A skilled electrician, Roger earned his Master Electrician License and went on to establish First Light Electric in 1975.
Roger had a deep love for the outdoors and spent many joyful days fishing, archery, hunting, golfing, and exploring on motorcycles and four-wheelers. He especially cherished time with friends and family at the Cream Can Feeds and in the Shirley Mountains. He was also a proud and active member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks Lodge, and the IBEW.
Roger is survived by his former wife, Sandra Trantham; his brother, Charles Snell; his children, William (Kari) and Dianna; his grandchildren: Justin, Taylor (Sierra), Gabrielle, Karissa, Zachary, Falon, Makayla, and Faith; and great-grandchildren: Atikus, Fenix, and Scarlett.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, at 2:30 p.m. at Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery, with burial to follow. Bustards Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Related
Freedom Caucus leaders keep calling the University of Wyoming “out of touch.” Their presentation of the budget to the House this week exposed who is actually “out of touch.”
Representative John Bear (R-Gillette) said, “The $40 million cut was meant to ‘get their attention.’”
A state budget exists to govern. A budget built to punish exists to posture.
Two problems drive this mess. First, ideology replaces fact finding, process, and consequences. Second, House Appropriations shows a deep disconnect from what UW means to Wyoming, culturally and economically.
Start with the “land-grant” argument. One footnote requires students to learn about the Morrill Act. Apparently, the House Appropriators did not bother understanding it themselves.
Representative Ken Pendergraft (R-Sheridan) claimed UW “lost focus on the land grant concept” and should narrow toward agriculture, engineering, and education, “the things that benefit Wyoming specifically.” That framing treats land grant as shorthand for vocational training. Federal law has never defined land grant that way.
The Morrill Act created land-grant colleges “to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts (Engineering)…without excluding other scientific and classical studies,” and “in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes.” Land grant means practical education and broad education.
So let’s look at the academic fields that were not protected from that $40M haircut. Nursing, pharmacy, law, business, criminal justice…even Engineering which is specified in the Morrill Act. Those don’t benefit Wyoming?
Wyoming’s Constitution points the same direction. Representative Steve Harshman reminded colleagues that university instruction should be “as nearly free as possible.” Broad education plus public access forms part of Wyoming’s long game, keeping talent here and training professionals here.
Freedom Caucus budgeting takes a different route. Culture disputes become budget penalties, enforced through dollars instead of open policy debate.
Pendergraft had drilled UW during hearings on course topics like ecofeminism and asked, “How is ecofeminism helpful for a student who wants to stay in Wyoming and work in Wyoming?” A budget hearing became a curriculum trial.
Inside the Legislature, colleagues called out the method. One legislator warned, “$40 million sure is an attention getter, but that cut reaches all sorts of programs.” Another asked what the cost of the courses offensive to the committee is compared to the cut.
Rep Lloyd Larsen (R-Lander) challenged Bear: “Explain that a little bit. Because that would almost suggest this action is retaliatory; that we’re going to show you.”
Process matters because process signals seriousness. Reports from Joint Appropriations included a claim that a member was “handed a script,” plus an assessment that meetings produced “no honest debate on anything.” Wyoming voters should not accept scripted budgeting for a flagship institution.
UW administrators told lawmakers an annual $20 million reduction hits payroll first. Estimates put the impact near $16 million in compensation, roughly 160 jobs. Those jobs sit in classrooms, labs, advising offices, extension work, and maintenance. Wyoming pays twice, once in layoffs, again in lost capacity.
Now the second problem: cultural blindness. UW serves as Wyoming’s statewide anchor, and athletics offers the clearest proof. A statewide survey found 84 percent of Wyomingites agree Cowboys and Cowgirls athletics serves as a source of pride.
War Memorial Stadium has been described as a “statewide reunion” on fall Saturdays. Lawmakers also heard a warning from colleagues: losing Division I status “will have a ripple effect across this state.”
Athletics also carries real dollars. UW athletics runs an expense budget “about $53 million.” Roughly $11.2 million comes from the state block grant, $5 million from the Cowboy Joe Club, and roughly $36 to $37 million comes from self-generated sources. The program has been credited with about $206.4 million in annual economic impact for Wyoming.
Then comes the risk profile Freedom Caucus leaders ignore. Governance chaos and punitive budgeting damage credibility with federal partners, private donors, and accreditors who expect stable, mission-driven leadership.
Endowment talk displays the competence gap in plain daylight. Bear suggested “the university should rely more on its substantial endowment funds rather than taxpayer dollars,” and use those funds to “stand on its own.”
Endowments are legally restricted by donor intent. You can’t liquidate them to pay for keeping the lights on or general faculty salaries.
Wyoming deserves better than governing by grievance. Bear’s admission of punishment and Pendergraft’s narrow (and inaccurate) view of land grant expose a House Appropriations operation driven by ideology, not stewardship.
This approach does not serve Wyoming’s best interests. It weakens a statewide institution, drives uncertainty, and signals contempt for the people who study, work, and build careers here.
It appears that it is the Freedom Caucus that is actually “out of touch.”
Gail Symons can be reached at: GailSymons@mac.com
CSU got ‘tougher’ to grab comeback win over Wyoming
CSU men’s basketball coach Ali Farokhmanesh said the Rams got tougher in the second half to pull off win over Wyoming.
A refuse-to-lose effort.
The Colorado State men’s basketball team was teetering on the edge of a really rough loss but the Rams dialed into a new level of determination to wrestle this one away.
The Rams were down 10 points in the second half to rival Wyoming on the cusp of a tough season sweep to their biggest rivals.
Then CSU buckled down and dominated the end the game to grab a 79-68 win at Moby Arena on Feb. 14.
Here are takeaways from the game.
CSU responded to Wyoming’s talk
Wyoming (13-12, 4-10 Mountain West) was full of plenty of chatter after a home win over the Rams at the end of January.
Leland Walker said the Rams “were getting the belt” and coach Sundance Wicks lauded the “sucks to be a CSU Ram” chant heard at Arena Auditorium.
This week Wicks was annoyed at a radio program that pointed out Khaden Bennett overperformed his stats in that game (he scored 22 after coming into the game just shy of 10 points per game).
Wicks also said he was displeased with a photo CSU used celebrating a win over Wyoming last season.
CSU (15-10, 6-8 MW) refused to get into a battle of words with coach Ali Farokhmanesh calling it “just another game” ahead of the second Border War.
That, obviously, is not true and CSU played like it, especially late on.
“You can’t act like it’s another game because it’s really not,” said CSU forward Carey Booth, who tied a career-high with six blocks. “Obviously, it means more. It’s great to get wins in games against Wyoming.”
Farokhmanesh wanted the team to respond with play on the court and it worked out in a strong win for the Rams.
“They were motivated,” Farokhmanesh said of his team. “I think they were motivated just in general, but yeah they were motivated. There were some things that were said that were kind of disrespectful. That’s up to them. But for us, we’re just going to play basketball and be about us and talk about us and it’s about us more than it’s about them.”
Colorado State’s toughness finishes Wyoming
Wyoming led 57-47 with 12:37 to go in the game. There was a timeout shortly after that and Farokhmanesh challenged the group to buckle down.
Buckle down they did.
Wyoming scored just 11 points the rest of the way, shooting 4-21 (19%) in the final 12-plus minutes. The Cowboys missed their final eight shots of the game and 14 of their final 15.
“I thought we got tougher. It wasn’t a whole lot of game plan stuff,” Farokhmanesh said. “We really just got tougher.”
It was a great response from the Rams.
CSU had gone down nine points in the first half as well, while also losing sharpshooter Josh Pascarelli to injury.
That minute lineups got shuffled but the Rams responded with players filling key roles.
Booth’s six blocks disrupted Wyoming and forced the Cowboys to alter drives to the lane. Jevin Muniz carried a huge workload (36 minutes) with Pascarelli injured and scored 15 points on 6-8 shooting, while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing three assists.
Kyle Jorgensen scored nine of his 11 points after halftime.
Wyoming was switching defensively, leaving the Rams with size mismatches that encouraged inside play. CSU scored 30 paint points, but also drew 26 fouls.
The Rams shot 25-30 (83%) from the line, while Wyoming had just eight free throw attempts.
“We know we’re a good 3-point shooting team, but if they’re going to switch everything we’ve got to take advantage of mismatches and keep driving the ball to the paint,” CSU guard Jase Butler said.
CSU outscored Wyoming 32-11 in the final 12:37 of the game. Wyoming shot just 32% in the second half and scored 28 points in the final 20 minutes.
Jase Butler’s growth shows in game-winning performance
Butler likely takes the crown of MVP for the game, with a career-high in points (18) and assists (six). He also had three rebounds and three steals, while hitting 11 of 12 free throws.
He was an eye-popping plus-25 in 30 minutes on the floor against Wyoming.
The sophomore is a former four-star recruit who transferred into CSU from Washington (he was recruited by CSU out of high school, too) and has become a do-it-all for the Rams.
“You just trust Jase. He’s Jalen Lake to me,” Farokhmanesh said, referencing the four-year Ram who graduated after last season.
“A lot like Jalen Lake where you trust him on the court, you trust him in those situations to make plays and he came up with every play tonight.”
Butler’s versatility is key. He had a big steal to spark the second half comeback. He can guard multiple positions, he can shoot the ball (40% on 3’s this season) and he’s one of CSU’s best cutters and drivers.
With limited minutes last season at Washington, Farokhmanesh likened the early part of this season to being Butler’s freshman season and now he’s on to being a true sophomore as his game grows.
“I thank Coach Ali for the trust in me,” Butler said. “I think the more reps I get, the better I get.”
Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.
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