Laura Jean Manveal passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her husband and daughters on Saturday, January 31, 2026. She was 83.

Laura was born in Powell, WY on April 21, 1942, the youngest of twin girls. She was the daughter of Lawarence Asay and Betty Jean (Laing-Asay) Braig. Laura’s previous marriages blessed her with five children, daughters, Lori, Bobbie, Penny, Debbie, and son Michael.

Laura married Jerry Manveal on March 5 th , 1983, in Jackson, WY. To this union she was blessed to share in the lives of Jerry’s three children, Renee, Stacy, & Rick. Laura and Jerry’s life began in Casper, Wy upon being married in 1983, but soon moved to Billings, MT that same year. They would remain in Billings until they returned to her birthplace, Powell, WY in 1992 where she remained until her passing.

Laura was a hard worker. She was a single mom for a large part of her children’s lives. She supported her family working as night bartender at two well-known Casper establishments, The Colonial Restaurant & Lounge and My Brother’s Place. Laura had the distinction of being the first female, nighttime bar tender after the Colonial’s owner and WY state legislature, Dick Sedar helped pass a law allowing females to do so.

Laura was an avid reader. She found solace and relaxation in coloring for me-time. She loved playing cards and played many a game with her grandkids. She belonged to a Bridge Club, had many fond memories of her card shark days and loved each and everyone in the group. She was a member of the Elks Lodge and a volunteer & trustee at the Eagles Club.

She loved country music…the original, good old stuff. Her children have fond, and lovingly irritated memories of their mom cranking up the stereo after returning home from a long night shift with Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” ballad. The lyrics “Trailers for Sale or Rent”, is forever etched in their brains.

She liked traveling, loved her trips to Australia and Pennsylvania, and had some great stories to share of her ship cruise. She had one major fear that can’t go without being mentioned, because there’s some great family pranks that go along with it and that’s…she hates mice!

Laura’s daughters and son would often say their mother was the strongest and toughest women they knew. Her family lineage had the unfortunate history of battling the horrible disease of cancer. Laura fought and won a few of her own battles with that beast. There was a terrible car accident that crushed her knee. Then later in life, knee replacement. But through it all she persevered with grit…and stubbornness. She was a pint-sized package to be reckoned with.

She will be forever remembered. Forever in our hearts. And forever loved. We take comfort knowing that she’s been reunited with her twin sister, Lorna Kay whom she loved and missed dearly since her passing in 2011.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence Asay and Betty Jean Braig; stepfather, Jake Braig; twin sister, Lorna Kay Asay; sister, Dora (Royce) Peterson; brothers, Tommy Braig and Mark Asay; brother-in-law, Bob (Jackie) Drake; grandson, Brent Davis; daughter-in-law, Jeannie Michael) Anderson.

Laura is survived  by her husband, Jerry Manveal; daughters, Lori (Gary) Davis; Bobbie (Don) Nickerson; Penny (Neil) Ivesdal; Debbie (Bill) Daniel; Michael Anderson; stepdaughters, Renee (George) Hite; Stacy (Joe) Miller stepson, Rick (Wendy) Harvey; sisters, Jackie Drake; Sherri Boatman; brothers, Butch (Norman) Asay and Terry Asay; half-sisters: Shelly, Sherry and Nancy; brother-in-law, Royce Peterson; 9 grandchildren: Ryan (Kate) Davis, Chris Watson, Gary Jr. Davis, Craig (Amber) Nickerson, Amber (Travis) Hellickson, Allisa (Jordy) Hondle, Cathern Ivesdal, Megan (James) Goss, Morgan Ober; 23 great grandchildren; 3 great, great grandchildren; 3 very close nieces and their families who were like daughters to her; many other nieces & nephews.

Services will be held at Thompson Funeral Home on Thursday February 5th beginning at 10am.

Thompson Funeral Home in Powell is in charge of arrangements.