Lelia Marie Hootman

Lelia Marie Hootman, age 83, of Cheyenne, passed away September 14, 2025. She was born on November 12, 1941, in Canton, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur and Maxine Stell. Lelia graduated from Lewistown Community High School in 1959 and married Larry Hootman in 1960. The newlywed couple moved to Orlando, Florida, where Larry began his 25-year career in the Air Force. Their travels took them to Okinawa, California, and ultimately to Cheyenne.

Lelia was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Hootman, and daughter, Susan Garlow. She is survived by her son, Tom Hootman; daughter-in-law, Deonne Hootman; grandson, Jackson Hootman; granddaughter, Ray Hootman; sister-in-law, Glenda Smith; and brother-in-law, Donald Smith.

Lelia enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, housekeeping, and spending time with her family and close friends. She worked as a special education assistant at Anderson Elementary School, where she met many of her lifelong friends, and retired in 1996.

Thank you to her neighbor, Art, and her best friend, Lorraine, for their friendship and unwavering support of Lelia as she lived independently at home for as long as possible.

The funeral service will be held at noon on September 25th at Wiederspahn Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes in Cheyenne. A reception will be held at The Gathering Place following the service.