Kay Louise Youmans

Kay Louise Youmans, 83, was born to Warren and Josephine Stewart February 24, 1942. She entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ January 23, 2026. While the world says she died, she believed in Billy Graham’s perspective: “Someday you will hear that I am dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”

Kay’s first address was Scottsbluff, Nebraska where she was born and grew up as an only child but enjoyed life with a large extended family. As a teenager, she changed addresses to Casper, WY with her parents. She attended Natrona County High School, enjoyed twirling the baton in the marching band, and worked at Ayres Jewelry Store. Her next change of address was to the University of Wyoming where she studied nursing and met the love of her life, Jerry Youmans. They married in 1963 at Casper’s Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church—the first charter member couple to do so. The newlyweds immediately moved to Chicago for Jerry’s medical studies. In the following years, their address changes included the Air Force Academy, Denver, and finally Casper where they settled in and raised their four children, Jodi, Kristen, Stuart, and Warren. While Dr. Jerry Youmans built a thriving medical practice in Casper, Kay built a large family that extended well beyond her biological children to countless young people who knew they were always welcome at the Youmans family home. “Mama Kay” almost always had soup on the stove, a casserole in the oven, and soda in the fridge. Plenty to go around.

The Youmans also founded Aquatics & Critters pet stores in Casper. Kay managed the stores for decades, along with the menagerie of beloved family pets including dogs, cats, birds, fish, and ferrets. Her love of animals spilled over into local grade schools where she is fondly remembered for bringing a vast array of critters to show and tell.

But Kay’s greatest passion and accomplishment was her family. She was a constant, very vocal parent cheerleader at her kids’ gymnastics meets, dance and theatre performances, football games, wrestling matches and school activities. As her children grew and started families of their own, she delighted in participating in the grandkids’ activities. And in November 2025, she was beyond blessed to participate in the baptism of her first great grandchild.

After enjoying her family home for more than 50 years, Kay changed addresses to Mountain Plaza Assisted Living in February 2025. She and her family lovingly called it her “mountain home” where she made good friends, delighted residents and staff with her joyful spirit, enjoyed wonderful companionship with her puppies Lola and Daisy, and rarely missed her daughter’s Wednesday morning Bible Study.

After a brief illness, Kay changed addresses one final time to Heaven where Jesus gave her a home beyond anything she could imagine. Her family and countless people will remember Kay for all of the good things that she did in this world. But she knew she couldn’t do enough good to earn a place in Heaven. She knew her forever home is a gift from her Savior Jesus Christ who died for her sins so that she could spend eternity with Him.

Kay is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Jerry Youmans, and parents Josephine and Warren Stewart. She is survived by her four children, Jodi Youmans-Jones (Michael), Kristen Youmans Stewart, Stuart Youmans (Melissa), and Warren Youmans (Kim), as well as eight grandchildren—Larisa and Tyler Symoens, Iliana Jones, and Brooklyn, Kaylee, Elijah, Aiden and Addison Youmans. And what a joy it was just a few months ago for Kay to welcome into the family her great-granddaughter Lily Quinn Symoens.

Services will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Kay’s memory to Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions or your local no-kill animal shelter.