Barbara Gail Maguire

Barbara Gail Maguire, 65, of Casper, Wyoming passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2025.

Barb was born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to Billy and Elna Wilder on November 18, 1959. She was the middle of five children. She graduated from Evart High School in Evart, Michigan where she enjoyed cheerleading and summers on Lake Huron. She attended Michigan State University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her college years were highlighted by the Spartans’ Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship win, led by Magic Johnson. Go Green!

She moved to Midwest, Wyoming in 1981, where she began her teaching career and within weeks, met Fred, the man she’d spend the rest of her life with. They were married in June of 1982. The couple soon settled in Casper, where they welcomed daughters Katherine and Emily.

Barb earned her Master’s Degree from University of Wyoming in 1991. Her teaching career continued at Southridge Elementary, and later Park Elementary, retiring after 35 years. Barb was known as a master teacher, impacting the lives of hundreds of students and colleagues. She earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 1995. Her former students will always remember her love of reading and passion for children’s books, but most importantly, she truly loved every student she taught and considered them HER kids. Many former students and their families, as well as colleagues, remained life-long friends.

Barb was one of the first National Board Certified Teachers in the state of Wyoming and later spent many years working as the Lead Facilitator with the John P. Ellbogen Foundation’s Wyoming National Board Certification Initiative.

In her retirement, Barb treasured her role as Gramby/Goat to her 3 adored grandchildren, Leif, Addy, and Maren. She loved attending their events, taking them to school, spoiling them rotten, creating incredible birthday cakes, and being their #1 cheerleader. When she wasn’t being the grandma of their dreams, she enjoyed gardening, baking, all things Mickey Mouse, mountain adventures with Fred and their dog, Mysa, and her annual fall trip to Lake Superior with Fred. She also cherished her relationships with the many friends that enriched her life.

During the last couple of days, Barb’s family has been continually reminded by all who knew her of the joyful presence that she brought every day. She truly sparkled and her warmth, kindness, and generosity to all will be carried forward by all who were lucky enough to have her in their lives.

Barb is survived by her husband of 43 years, Fred, her daughters Katherine (Jesse) Boehnke of Casper and Emily (Alan) Wright of Greeley, Colorado; grandchildren Leif and Maren Boehnke and Adelyn Wright. She will also be remembered by her parents Bill and Elna Wilder of Evart, Michigan, her sister Becky West of Six Lakes, Michigan; sister Linda (Rocky) Irick of Mountain View, Wyoming; brother Mark Wilder of Evanston, Illinois; foster sister Mellisa, of Clevelend, Ohio; nephew Jeramiah Irick, and nieces Ashley Church and Jessica Irick as well as her great nieces and nephews. She looked forward each Sunday to the weekly four generation video call with her family members that has occurred since March 2020.

She is also survived by brothers-in-law Tom (Kathy) Maguire of Phoenix, Arizona and Mark (Deb) Maguire of Loveland, Colorado as well as nephews Steve, Dave, Andy, and Casey and children

Barb is predeceased by brother Michael Wilder and brother-in-law Ritchie West.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Michael Wilder Paramedics Scholarship at Casper College that was established in honor of her late brother.

An open-house celebration of life will be held on Monday, July 14th from 2:30-5:00pm at the Tate Pumphouse at 1775 W 1st St, Casper, WY. All who knew and loved Barb are encouraged to join us.