After a life of love and quiet grace, Francine Weliever of Riverton, WY has passed.
These words are offered in her memory — small, but heartfelt.
Francine spent her working life as ['Industrial Distributers and Watco'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Some days simply pass; others stay with us forever.
Francine Kaye (Ward) Weliever July 25, 1954 – April 23, 2026
Also known as Fran, Granny Franny, and Ms. Yo, 71, of Riverton, Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 1, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Monument Hill Cemetery in Thermopolis, Wyoming. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Fremont Center in Riverton, Wyoming, with a catered reception to follow.
Francine Kaye Weliever was born on July 25, 1954, in Powell, Wyoming, to Robert and Betty Zoe Ward. Her father was a shop teacher in Lander, Wyoming, where the family lived until 1961, when he was called back to active duty. They moved to Ft. Lewis, Washington, where they lived in army quarters for several years. He was later transferred to Ft. Carson, CO, to finish his active-duty enlistment, where the family lived in an old army hospital. Fran enjoyed telling stories of riding in wheelchairs and how they would sleep in a different room every night.
After leaving Ft. Carson, the family moved to Flagstaff, AZ, where her father worked on his master's degree, and Fran and Syljuana learned to skateboard around campus. They later settled in Casper, Wyoming, where she attended Dean Morgan Junior High and Natrona County High School. Fran graduated from Natrona County High School in 1972 and received her Associate of Arts from Casper College in 1975. She attended the University of Wyoming, pursuing a degree in pharmacy. Organic chemistry proved to be her downfall, though, and she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in 1978.
After college, Fran moved to Tucson, AZ, for a time, but she felt called back to Wyoming and returned to Casper, where she worked at Industrial Distributers and Watco. After a few years, she met the love of her life, Rich.
On December 7, 1985, she married Richard Jack Weliever in Casper, and had two amazing daughters, Erika and Sarah, of whom she was very proud.
While living in Riverton, Fran became a substitute teacher and especially loved getting to know her students. She spent her summers camping, rock hunting, and enjoying time with her family. Fran loved cats, marbles, calendars, game shows, and genealogy, but most of all, she cherished her grandchildren. She never knew a stranger. Those who knew Fran knew her as loving, stubborn, and full of humor, which she kept until the very end.
She is survived by her daughters, Erika Weliever of Colorado Springs, CO, and Sarah Wick and her husband, Hayden, of Redbird, WY; her grandchildren, Emelia (Emmy) and Augustus (Gus) Wick; her sister, Syljuana Williams and her husband, EJ, of Vail, AZ; her sister-in-law, Michele (Gary) Hinz of Deshler, NE; nieces Gracie and Carlee Hinz; nephew Jonathan Hinz; and numerous friends and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ralph and Doris Smith of Powell, WY, and Slim and Irene Ward of Worland, WY; her parents, Robert (Bob) and Betty Zoe Ward; her father-in-law, Frank Weliever; and her husband, Richard (Rich) Weliever.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to PAWS for Life or the Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.
Davis Funeral Home
