Stephanie Thompson Vance

Stephanie Thompson Vance, of Casper, WY died December 22, 2020 at the age of 88 at Wyoming Medical Center. Stephanie was born on January 21, 1932 in Borger, TX to Chester Clinton Thompson and Susan Abigail Crum.

Stephanie graduated from high school in Ponca City, OK where she was the Editor in Chief of the student newspaper, The Poncan. Stephanie attended the Oklahoma College for Women and then obtained her B.A. in English from Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, OK in 1954. She later obtained a Masters in Library Science.

While attending college, Stephanie was set up on a blind date to attend a dinner dance with Bill Vance. The two were married on August 8, 1954. Their daughter, Willie, was born on their first anniversary, August 8, 1955.

Stephanie was passionate about education and writing throughout her life. She taught English in multiple schools. She was instrumental in establishing libraries throughout the Natrona County School District, including the library at Centennial Junior High. She was responsible for helping design, purchase and supervise the outset of Centennial's Library. She remained the head librarian until her retirement.

Stephanie and Bill helped to establish the Alemaya College of Agriculture in Haramaya, Ethiopia in the late 1950s. Through the Oklahoma State Foundation, they educated students in the African cities of Dire Dawa, Jimma, and Haramaya. During this time, they traveled throughout Africa and Europe. They also welcomed their second child, Leon Thompson Vance, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

They moved back to the United States where they had their third child, Michel Susan Vance. After completing graduate school, they moved to Casper, WY in 1966 where Bill began work at Casper College and Stephanie began working within the Natrona County School District.

Stephanie continued writing throughout her career and into retirement. She enjoyed genealogy and had an extensive collection of stories that she shared with family and friends through multiple self published books. Stephanie was also a dedicated gardener, taking great care to research each plant and ensure that it received the proper care.

Stephanie is survived by; her brother Tom (Jo) Thompson of Bozeman, MT, her daughter Willie (Jerry) Moyle, of Casper, WY; her son, Leon Vance of Hamilton, MT; grandchildren Abigail Morgan, of Ft. Collins, CO, Jeremy (Kelli) Moyle of Casper, WY, Gabrielle Vance, of Ortschwaben, Switzerland, and Bridger Vance of Anchorage, AK; and great grandchildren Emmy Moyle, Adelynn Moyle and Aela Steidley. She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Bill Vance, parents Chester Clinton Thompson and Susan Abigail Thompson; daughter Michel Susan Vance; and daughter-in-law Cameron Vance.

Family will have a memorial at a later date. Interment is at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to Central Wyoming Hospice at 319 S. Wilson Street, Casper, WY 82601 or the Casper Humane Society at 849 East E Street, Casper, WY 82601.

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