Lynn Simons 1934- 2025 Lynn Osborn Simons, 91, of Cheyenne died August 30 at Davis Hospice. She was born June 1, 1934, in Havre Montanna, the first of four children to Robert Blair Osborn and Dorothy Winifred Briggs. She attended primary school in Havre and Flint, Michigan, before moving to Golden, Colorado, where she graduated from Golden High School in 1952. She earned an English degree from the University of Colorado, and later studied for a master's degree in American Studies and Political Science at the University of Wyoming in 1958.

On January 19, 1957, she married John Powell Simons in Salt Lake City. They had two children, Clayton Osborn and William Blair, and remained married for 61 years until his death. They lived throughout southern Wyoming, across the West, and, for a year, in Mexico City before settling in Casper. They took advantage of John's job with the Union Pacific minerals division to frequently "ride the rails" for free. For example, leaving on a Friday night for a weekend in San Francisco.

She was known for her heartfelt and insightful Christmas letters, calligraphic-like handwriting, and being a stickler for thank you notes. She threw herself wholeheartedly into other pursuits, such as genealogy, knitting, quilting, and gardening. She maintained authentic decades-long friendships with many who crossed her path from all walks of life. In her youth, she was an avid outdoorswoman.

Lynn began her career as a junior high school English and American History teacher in Sandy, Utah, singing in the Tabernacle Choir in her spare time. In Laramie, she taught at the university school of education. As a stay-at-home mother in Casper, she found "it's very hard for women with small children to maintain their sanity without something else to do," and so she became involved with the League of Women Voters. There, she advocated for educational issues and spearheaded the campaign for Casper's 1% sales tax. She was also involved in the Casper Symphony Orchestra Guild and the "323" Art Gallery with her friends.

In 1971, Governor Stan Hathaway appointed her to a six-year term on the Wyoming Board of Education. During that time, she decided to run for the state Superintendent of Public Instruction. She won office in 1978 against the incumbent, and was re-elected in 1982 and 1986 before being defeated for re-election in 1990. She ran for U.S. Senate in 1988 - a "year of the woman" election cycle - but was defeated in the primary. In 1993, President Clinton appointed her to serve as a six-state regional representative for the Secretary of Education based in Denver. She served in that position until 2001.

In retirement she - characteristically - became involved in a number of endeavors. She served on the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens board, where she was especially proud of her small role in helping to develop the Children's Village. At Cheyenne Highlands Presbyterian Church, she found friendship among kindred spirits and eventually joined the church board. Lynn said she would like to be remembered as a person "who stood up and mattered for something."

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, R. Blair Osborn, twins Stephen Briggs Osborn and J. Kirk Osborn; and son, Clayton Osborn Simons.

Survivors include son William Blair Simons of Denver; granddaughter Madeline Rose Simons of St. Louis, MO; sisters-in-law Alice Cunningham of Seattle and Tania Osborn of Chapel Hill, NC; nephews Robert B. Osborn of Sacramento CA, Kendall Mason Osborn of San Rafael CA, Steve Simons of Brea CA; nieces Michela Jantzen Osborn of Mebane NC, Jenna Kirk Osborn of Washington DC, Julianne Simons of Denver and Janet Ancona of Newton NJ, and by many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service will held at 2 pm Saturday, October 18 at First Christian Church, 219 W 27th St. in Cheyenne. The service will be livestreamed on the First Christian Church of Cheyenne YouTube channel. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends contribute to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens or a charity of one's choice.

Remembrances and additional obituary at https://www.schradercares.com/obituaries/lynn-simons.

Quotes and some biographical material from "Wyoming In Profile" by Jean Mead, Pruitt Publishing, 1982.