Lynn Osborn Simons

Lynn Osborn Simons 1934- 2025 Lynn Osborn Simons, 91, of Cheyenne, died August 30 at Davis Hospice. Born June 1, 1934, in Havre, Montana, to Robert and Dorothy Osborn, she grew up in Montana, Michigan, and Colorado, graduating from Golden High School in 1952. She earned an English degree from the University of Colorado.

In 1957 she married John Powell Simons; they had two sons, Clayton and William, and lived throughout Wyoming and the West before settling in Casper. A lifelong reader, Lynn was known for her elegant handwriting, poignant Christmas letters, and decades-long friendships.

Lynn began her career teaching middle school English in Sandy Utah, later at the UW School of Education. While raising her children in Casper, she became active in the League of Women Voters. She was appointed to the Wyoming Board of Education in 1971, then served three terms as State Superintendent of Public Instruction and ran for the U.S. Senate in 1988. From 1993 to 2001, she was regional representative for the U.S. Secretary of Education.

In retirement, she served on the boards of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Highlands Presbyterian Church. She hoped to be remembered as someone "who stood up and mattered for something."

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, and son Clayton. Survivors include son William, granddaughter Madeline, and extended family.

A memorial will be 2pm on Saturday, October 18, at First Christian Church, 219 W 27th St., Cheyenne. It will be livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel. See https://tinyurl.com/lynn-simons for more.