Frank Martin Sannes

Frank Martin Sannes, long-time educator in the state of Wyoming, died Monday, March 19, 2018 in Central Wyoming Hospice surrounded by family.

He left behind six children; Skarland Kamm (Timothy), of California; Paul Sannes (Elizabeth), of Denver; Kristin Sannes, of Denver; Kenneth Sannes, of Phoenix; Michael Sannes, of Casper; Brynn Sannes, of Denver; and his sister Lynn (Sannes) Twitchell, of Phoenix.

Preceding him in death are: Mary Jo Haley Sannes, his beloved wife of 41 years; Kathleen Haley Boss (Lon), his youngest daughter; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Mann, of Rawlins.

Born in Parco (now called Sinclair) in 1929, of Norwegian Immigrants, he attended grade school in Sinclair and graduated from Rawlins High School in 1948. While in high school, he lettered in football and basketball. At 6 ft. 5 inches, he was a member of the RHS 1947 high school state basketball championship team.

Frank attended the University of Wyoming for two years, on a basketball scholarship, but then the Korean War interrupted his education. He returned to UW in 1952 and graduated with a B.S. in 1954. He earned his Masters Degree in 1961.

In 1955, Frank married Mary Jo Haley, an English teacher at Rawlins Jr. High School. The couple both started their teaching careers in Dubois that fall.

Frank taught and coached some 35 years in Wyoming, always loyal to the state of his birth. His first job was in Dubois, then Carpenter, Claremont and finally 28 years at Casper's Dean Morgan Jr. High School.

He gave 18 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America between 1964-1982.

He was active in the Foster Parent Program of Natrona County. The Sannes family supported 18 foster children and many adoptable infants. Four "fosters" spent 11 years in the family. He helped them develop a newspaper route to teach them how to work.

He was called to participate on the Graduation Requirement Committee at Kelly Walsh High School. In 1982 he became an integral force in strengthening Wyoming education by raising graduation requirements in the state from 17 to 21 credits.

He said, "A teacher should have the ability to change pace, to admit when he is wrong, to show that he is human, and most of all he should be honest."

"A teacher's guidance makes all the difference in a student's world."

Surviving are his seven grandchildren who include: Rojan (Sean), of California; Erin (Jerry), of Denver; Kristofer (Skylit), of California; Megan (Ken), of Casper; Brittney (Alex) of Houston; Nicholas (Jessica), of California; Vivian, of Thermopolis; and 13 great grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. at the Newcomer Casper Chapel. Burial and Military Funeral Honors will take place at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations please be made to The Central Wyoming Hospice.

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