GLORIA JEAN (STEPANICH) PAYNE

There will be a Celebration of Life for Gloria Jean (Stepanich) Payne, 77, in the summer of 2022.

Gloria passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021, after a short stay at Central Wyoming Hospice Home in Casper, Wyoming.

Gloria was born in Douglas, Wyoming on Wednesday, January 19, 1944, to Frank and Dorothy E. (Harrison) Stepanich.

After graduating from Douglas High School in 1962, Gloria met the love of her life, Jerry Franklin Payne and the two were married on March 23, 1963.  To this union, two children were born, Rhonda “Shelly” Payne and Jerry D. Payne.  After settling in Glenrock, Wyoming and raising their children, Jerry and Gloria “retired” at Echo Mountain Ranch working for Tony Cate in the spring of 1999 until their real retirement in 2011.

Living in the mountains and breathing the fresh mountain air was where Gloria was in her element. Gloria found beauty in all things wild, especially the beautiful wildflowers that grew in the mountains. Gloria enjoyed spending precious time with family and friends and laughing. Gloria had a sincere love of gardening and growing flowers, and doing anything that allowed her to put her hands in and play in the dirt. She shared this love of gardening and growing some of the most beautiful flowers with all of her family and friends, and has passed on this knowledge to Shelly and Jerry David.

Gloria is survived by her two children, Rhonda “Shelly” Payne of Glenrock; Jerry D. Payne (Tiffany Payne) of Bar Nunn, Wyoming; two granddaughters, Tracy Rae Payne and Lela Jean Payne; and her sister, Patty Whiting.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Jerry F. Payne, on February 15, 2018; her mother, Dorothy, on August 5, 1980; father, Frank, on December 12, 1995; and several other members of her family and lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Glenrock Senior Citizens Center, P.O. Box 783, Glenrock, Wyoming 82637 as they were a great help to the family through these times.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas is in charge of the arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.

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