Diane Gednalske

Diane (Rumore) Gednalske, 72, of Casper WY passed away on July 11, 2021, in her home after a lengthy illness.

Diane was born in Lawrence, MA to Toney and Claire Rumore in May of 1949.  As the youngest and only girl of the three siblings, her brothers David and Danny were her protectors and partners in crime. She graduated from Tenney Memorial High School in 1967 where she found her love for bookkeeping.  After graduating from High School, Diane worked at Alco Electronics in Lawrence, MA as a bookkeeper.

In 1970, she married and moved to Casper, WY, “because it had to be a nice place just like Casper the Friendly Ghost.” Shortly, thereafter, they divorced.  She was hired as a bookkeeper with Casper Neon Sign Company where she met her lifelong companion and husband of almost 50 years, Wesley “Skeeter” Gednalske.  They were married in September of 1971.  A year later, she gave birth to their only daughter, Debra (Gallagher).  This was one of her greatest joys: being a mom.  During Debra’s grade-school years, you could find Diane volunteering for ALL the Grant School PTA fundraisers, reading to Debbie’s class, swabbing throats for strep, combing hair for school pictures, and serving hot lunches.  You could hear: “Hi, Debbie’s Mom!” as she walked through the halls.   She taught her daughter to be strong and independent, but also to show kindness to others.

Diane had a love for animals and had a menagerie of pets over the years including hamsters, monkeys, cats, fish, and dogs.  She also loved to plant flowers and vegetables, using household scraps to build her own compost to feed the worms ensuring next year’s bounty was fruitful.  She spent a small fortune over the years making sure that the squirrels and birds had something to eat through the brutal winter months. Determined to leave as small a footprint on this earth, Diane recycled, reused, and upcycled as much as possible; few disposable things had a once-and-done life.

Diane had a love for people, as well, and many who worked in Casper’s stores became friends to her, although few people were ever strangers to Diane.  Each Saturday, she would don her best attire, do her hair and make-up, and go shopping hand in hand with her husband…looking forward to seeing people, telling dirty jokes, and sharing stories of life’s adventures.  To this day, those grocery store employees who became friends will honk as they drive by their home.  Covid took its toll on her, and she yearned for a time when she could safely return to browsing the grocery aisles and starting conversations.

Diane is survived by her spouse, Wesley “Skeeter” Gednalske of Casper; daughter, Debra (Michael) Gallagher of Casper; brother, David (Jill) Rumore of Hampstead, NH; Sister-in-Law, Rose Rumore of Haverhill, MA; step-daughter, Sherry Hartiman of Grand Junction, CO; step-son, Bruce Gednalske of Casa Grande, AZ; nieces, Jennifer Sirois and Jamie Perkins of MA; nephews, Daniel and Jeffery Rumore; brother-in-law, David (Pearl) Gednalske of Rapid City, SD;  brother-in-law Donnie Gednalske of Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law, Duane (Janice) Gednalske of Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law, Kenny (Vicky) Gednalske of Hill City, SD; sister-in-law Faye (Barry) Bruce of Black Hawk, SD; and sister-in-law, Judy (John) Collins of San Diego, CA; and numerous Gednalske nieces and nephews.  Diane was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Daniel Rumore.

At Diane’s request, there will be no services.  A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to: Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, Resource Center Administration Bldg; 319 S Wilson; Casper, WY 82601.  The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Margie Wells and the staff at Central Wyoming Hospice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Avenue, Casper, WY. 82601