A Celebration of Life for Kenneth “Ken” Nyberg will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Big Horn County Fairgrounds in Basin, Wyoming.

Ken passed away on October 11, 2025, at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana, after a long and courageous battle with a rare autoimmune lung disease related to Agent Orange exposure.

Ken was born in Springfield, Minnesota, and raised in Lamberton, Minnesota. His parents, Laurel and Pat Nyberg, owned and operated the Lamberton Hatchery, where Ken and his four siblings learned early the values of love, hard work, and family.

After graduating high school, Ken was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge and upon returning home, he attended college in Mankato, Minnesota.

In 1977, Ken moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he met Kathy (Kas) and her three sons. The couple married on May 27, 1978, and later moved to Craig, Colorado, where they raised their family. Together, Ken and Kas began fostering children and eventually opened a group home for at-risk teens-a calling that became the work of their hearts. Their shared love for helping others and working side by side was truly extraordinary.

In 1989, they moved to Escalante, Utah, where they served as primary counselors at Turn-About Ranch, once again dedicating their lives to guiding and supporting teens. In 1994, Ken and Kas settled in Basin, Wyoming, where they managed the local boys’ group home until their retirement.

Beyond his work, Ken had a deep love for the outdoors-fishing, hunting, camping, and working on their place in Manderson, Wyoming. He had a special gift for including “the kids” in his hobbies and projects, making every experience both a lesson and an adventure.

Ken is survived by his wife Kas; three sons: Kraig Nyberg of Basin, Kevin (Brigette) Nyberg of Ocklawaha, Florida, and Ken Nyberg of Thornton, Colorado; his brother Dave (Ann) Nyberg of Cheyenne, Wyoming; sister Sandy of Dacono, Colorado; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurel and Pat Nyberg, brother Randy Nyberg, and sister Judy Lehne.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the ASPCA or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Ken’s memory. Arrangements have been entrusted to Atwood Family Funeral Directors.

JACKSON, Wyo. — PBS Books is taking a virtual road trip across the country, and an episode about Wyoming literature will be released on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The journey seeks to celebrate and highlight iconic authors, stories, bookstores and real-life locations that inspired unforgettable works. The series is diving into different corners of the U.S. to find out how each location has left its mark on the bookshelves of the nation’s readers.

The Wyoming episode of “American Stories: A Reading Road Trip” will air at 8 p.m. on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, the PBS Books Facebook page and the PBS app. All installments are available to watch on the PBS Books website after they premiere.

“Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history and creative spirit of the United States — all through the lens of books and storytelling,” reads the description of the series.

Amy Ryan, owner of local mainstay Valley Bookstore, discussed the importance of Wyoming literature and authors with Buckrail.

“I think a lot of people would be surprised to find out that Wyoming is actually a very literary state,” said Ryan. “We have authors like Jack Turner, who [lives] here. We had Margaret Murie, who’s written a couple classics, and we have writers who are still active.”

The episode will focus on the scenery that influenced Ernest Hemingway’s “Death in the Afternoon”; the dawn of the Western genre through Owen Wister’s novel “The Virginian”; and modern authors like well-known mystery writers Craig Johnson and C.J. Box. The show will also visit the Toppan Rare Books Library at the University of Wyoming.

Ryan highlighted some Wyoming creators who might not have world fame, but have influenced the literary landscape just the same. Authors like Alexandra Fuller, Tim Sandlin, Grant Golliher and Bridget Crocker have drawn inspiration from Wyoming’s backdrop and communities.

A Murie Ranch Front Porch conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 21, presented Crocker as she talked about her recent book “The River’s Daughter.” According to Teton Science Schools, her story is one of “resilience and empowerment, from a turbulent childhood in Wyoming to a globe-spanning career as a whitewater rafting guide” that began on the Snake River in Jackson Hole.

“We do have a really grand tradition of chroniclers of Western history,” Ryan said. “It’s a very lively community for such a sparsely populated state. We seem to attract real writers.”

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Highway Patrol has issued an official update on the ongoing situation in Cheyenne, where a suspected IED was left outside of the Wyoming State Capitol.

According to a release from the WHP, on the morning of Oct. 21 an object, suspected do be in Improvised Explosive Device (IED), was found on the Great Seal in front of the Capitol, by a pedestrian. The pedestrian brought the suspect IED inside of the Capitol building, and Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were alerted to its existence.

As a precaution, the building was evacuated at approximately 9;45 a.m. while troopers secured the area. Multipole agencies responded to the incident, including the WHP, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, the Cheyenne Police Department, Wyoming DCI, the Joint EOD Team, Cheyenne Fire and Rescue, AMR, FBI, ATF, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Additionally, the area of 21st to 26th Streets between Carey Ave. and Central Ave. were cordoned off, as drones and K-9 units swept the area. Eventually, all but 26th street were reopened. 26th Street was reopened at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The Capitol itself was closed for the rest of the day but it will be open as usual on Wednesday morning, Oct. 22.

The release notes that the investigation is still active and ongoing. The WHP is working with law enforcement partners to bring this case to its conclusion.

“Information is still being sought in this incident,” the release states. “Anyone with information, images or recordings of suspicious activity in the early morning hours of October 21st, please contact DCI by heading to their website and clicking the dedicated Capitol incident link on the main page.”

Related