Lesley S. Travers

Dr. Lesley Suzanne Travers, 71, of Casper, Wyoming passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer.

Lesley was born in Lander, Wyoming on November 2,1954, to Joseph Lanham and Kay Kranz Lanham. She grew up in Lander with a love of hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. She enjoyed playing sports, trap shooting, and bowling. She graduated from Lander Valley High School in 1972 and moved to Missoula, Montana. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Montana, Lesley met and married Rob Reesman and had two sons; Clay and Mat. Lesley worked with migrant farming families, parolees, and job seekers before returning to Wyoming to work in Riverton. During her time in Riverton, she worked with Seniors, Native Americans, and a private training school before moving to Casper to work with people with brain injuries. It was in Casper that she met her husband John Travers and they blended their two families together. Lesley continued her education through the University of Wyoming, receiving her Master of Science Degree in Counselor Education. She also received her Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Higher Education, specializing in marriage and family therapy.

Dr. Travers spent over 40 years as a respected counselor and educator. Lesley was an educator at Casper College, serving as Chair of the Addictionology Department for seven years before becoming Dean of Business and Industry for nine years. She received the Rosenthal Outstanding Educator Award in 2008. Lesley was well known and respected through her service to the Wyoming Counseling Association and Wyoming Retirement System boards. She finished out her career serving as President at Eastern Wyoming College for five years, retiring in 2022.

Lesley was an avid quilter, gifting her creations to many who she worked with and became friends with over the years. She loved cooking for her family and friends and spent years teaching cooking classes. She eventually published her own collection of family recipes called “Home on the Range”. She loved traveling to Europe to visit her son and spending time with her husband in Ireland.

Above all her numerous accomplishments, Lesley was a beautiful person, full of life and adventure. She never backed down from a challenge or gave up on a dream or goal. She was a fierce friend and advocate. She always had your back but was also the first to let you know if you were messing up. She was a mentor to her colleagues and students, a supportive mother and wife, a daughter, a sister, and lover of animals. She sheltered strays, took in unwanted pets, raised chickens (giving them all names), and cared for horses, donkeys, and birds. She has made a huge impact on all our lives and will be missed.

Lesley was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Kay Lanham, brother Steve Lanham, her nephew Judson Lanham, and a half-brother, Joe Hunter.

Lesley is survived by her loving husband, John, and four children. Clay Reesman (Danielle) of Casper, Wyoming, Mat Reesman (Vicky) of Bremen, Germany, Jerry Travers of Casper, Wyoming, and Rebecca Travers (Paul) of Casper, Wyoming. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Noah White, Kennedy Reesman, Joey Travers, Brooke Travers, and Emma Reesman.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Eastern Wyoming College Foundation for a scholarship that Lesley established for Vet Tech students or donate to Casper College Foundation in her memory.

A Memorial Service for Lesley will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Newcomer Funeral Home at 10:30am.

To share a memory of Lesley or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.