Muriel Genieve (Johnson) Forney, 98 of Laramie, passed away on December 4, 2024 at Hospice of Laramie after a brief illness. She was born on December 28, 1925 in Lixville, Missouri to Willie and Nettie Johnson (Henry). She grew up in Perryville, Missouri. She attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College and graduated with a BS in 1952. She later attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a MS in 1957. She was a school teacher in country schools of Perry County from 1943-1950. She then taught Home Economics in Leadwood High from 1951-1956. She came to Laramie to teach summer school and fell in love with Laramie and the mountains. She then taught Home Economics at Laramie Junior High School from 1957-1978. She pursued her education and received a Masters of Adult Education in 1977. She also worked at the University of Wyoming – Coe Library in the Acquisitions Department as a serials specialist from 1979-1992. After retiring she volunteered at Linford School in Bill Walseth’s class. She had a very close friendship with him until his death in 2023.
She as very active in the community and gave freely of her time to many organizations including: Laramie Garden Club, First United Methodist Women, Quadra Dangle Square Dance Club and the Albany County Genealogical Society.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Aileen and Anna Laura and one brother, Richard. She is survived by her niece Dixie Johnson and many cousins in and around Perryville, Missouri. Many Laramie friends including Robert and Janet Zemanek and Lou Ann and Lynn Erickson.
She requested no services. She donated her body to science – the Anatomical Board of Colorado
Donations may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Laramie.
Cards may be sent to Lynn Erickson, c/o Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.
I enjoyed working with Muriel at Laramie Junior High. She was such a gracious lady. She had a good life and loved gardening. God bless
Rest in Peace, Mrs Forney
What a dear lady this world has lost. I knew her as Mrs. Forney, my Home Economics teacher and I learned so much from her. Not only basic life skills of home life but true elegance and love for all things beautiful. She became a family friend and one of my mother’s best long time friends. She approached life with a joy and zest that made the world a better place. I will never forget her bright smile or her cheerful laugh. Mrs. Forney it was an honor to have known you. You were loved by many and will be missed by all.
Muriel was a fantastic teacher who made the world beautiful with her love of gardening.
An elegant lady.
I loved her .. she was my teacher. RIP and condolences to her loved one’s
Muriel was a gem of a human being. How bold she was to come to Laramie so long ago to begin a new adventure as a teacher in Laramie. I feel honored and humbled to have known and shared companionship with such a fantastic lady. May she rest in peace and may all who knew care for her rest easy knowing she was the embodiment of love and light in this world. Godspeed dear Muriel.