A longtime resident of Laramie, Wyoming, Wayne Bress was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and member of the community. He passed away peacefully in his room at the Laramie Hospice House on April 23, 2023 surrounded by his three children.

Wayne was born January 8, 1933 in Clay County, Iowa. He was the oldest of six children born to Carl and Jeanette Bress. Wayne grew up in Colorado, beginning his high school career in Wiggins before moving to Greeley, where he graduated with the class of 1951. During high school, Wayne was on the football team and active in Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Wayne attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University), though, later in life he became a diehard supporter of University of Wyoming Athletics and did not publicly acknowledge any affiliation with CSU. After two years studying zoology, Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Army and worked at Fort Carson, near Colorado Springs, as a military policeman. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, Wayne took a position with Dixon Paper Company in 1957.

On April 10, 1960, Wayne married Connie Sivers in Greeley, Colorado. The couple had three children, Sally, Rob, and Jay. Because Wayne’s career required the family to move frequently, they lived in Albuquerque, NM and Casper, WY but ultimately decided to settle in Laramie when he accepted a management job at Mountain States Lithographing in 1966. In 1972, Wayne and Connie bought the business and renamed it Modern Printing Company. Wayne was consistently dedicated to the business, which he later ran with the help of Rob and Jay and countless committed employees. When Connie became ill later in her life, Wayne was devoted caregiver. The two regularly enjoyed trips to Mexico in their motorhome, which made it easier for Connie to travel. Wayne was active in many Laramie organizations including the United Presbyterian Church, Laramie Country Club, Downtown Development Association, Cowboy Joe Club and was always a reliable soft touch for any worthwhile local cause.

Wayne was dependable to all those who knew him—he could always be counted on to be in his chair, ready and willing to talk. He viewed every new person as a chance to forge a new friendship, had an amazing ability to make everyone feel important, and possessed a boundless optimism that allowed him to see the positive side of any situation. He never met a berry pie he didn’t like, or a dish involving chicken that he did. He was always quick with a witty, yet thoughtful response, many of which live on in his family’s lore. Wayne valued hard work, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and humility—values that he passed on to his children and their families.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, brother LeRoy, sister Myrna Mackley, and wife Connie. He is survived by his daughter Sally Ann Jaeger (Tom), Rob Bress (Carol), and Jay Bress (Betsy), grandchildren Carl Jaeger (Marissa), Andrew Jaeger (Cassandra), Evan Jaeger (Jenna), Augie Bress (Jessica), Sophie Bress (Blake), Matthew and Molly Bress, great grandchildren Teddy and Katherine Jaeger, sisters Faith Engel and Marcia Williams (Joel), brother Gary Bress and many much-loved nieces and nephews and countless friends everywhere.

Services for Wayne will be held at United Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 25th at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Wayne’s life can be made to United Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Laramie, where he received exceptionally compassionate care in his last few months.