WHEATLAND, WY — The tight-knit community of Wheatland is grieving the loss of one of its most cherished educators and community members. Denise Moyers, a beloved kindergarten teacher, mother, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025, at Platte County Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was 50 years old.
Known for her gentle spirit, dedication to her students, and deep love for her children, Denise leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
Born July 11, 1974, in Safford, Arizona, Denise’s life was a vibrant tapestry woven with travel, education, and service. Her early childhood included time in Brazil, before she eventually graduated from Wheatland High School. An avid learner and adventurer, she went on to attend Sheridan College, where she competed on the rodeo team, and later Black Hills State University in South Dakota. She earned her master’s degree in education in Hays, Kansas, before ultimately returning to Wyoming, the state she proudly called home.
Denise’s teaching career began in Special Education, but it was in kindergarten classrooms where she truly found her calling. Her tenure in education included several years in Kansas before moving back to Sheridan in 2001 and settling in Wheatland in 2003. Her students adored her, not just for her creative and patient teaching style, but for the way she made every child feel safe, seen, and special.
Parents often spoke of her unmatched warmth, her encouraging spirit, and the unique ability to bring joy to learning. For Denise, teaching was never just a job—it was a mission to uplift and inspire.
Outside the classroom, Denise’s greatest joy was her family. She was a proud and devoted mother to her three children, Jhett, Jacey, and Drew. Rarely missing a game, recital, or milestone, Denise was a constant presence in their lives, cheering them on with unmatched pride and love.
She also found joy in simple pleasures—watching cooking and reality shows, sharing stories around the dinner table, and laughing with those she loved most. Her light-hearted nature, warm laughter, and giving heart made her beloved by friends, neighbors, and colleagues alike.
Denise is survived by her children; her mother, Linda Willis; her father, Dennis Moyers (Nola); and her sisters, Lisa Moyers and Tawnee Miller. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Granny and Grandpa Wilson, grandfather Rowan Willis, and her sister Valorie Langley.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at the First Christian Church in Wheatland, with Pastors Casey Schroeder and Chris Furl officiating. Interment will follow at Wheatland Cemetery. Friends and community members are invited to a visitation on Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
As the Wheatland community comes together to mourn this heartbreaking loss, the impact of Denise Moyers will continue to be felt in every life she touched. Her memory will live on through the students she nurtured, the colleagues she inspired, and the family she loved so deeply.
In remembering Denise, may we all strive to embody her kindness, her passion for teaching, and the love she shared so freely with the world.