Leann Rue Snell

Leann Rue Snell joined her dad Russell Snell, her mom, Pearl Ann Hart Snell, and her big brother, Lynn Russell Snell, on Monday evening, Sept. 27, 2021. She was surrounded by family as she left this world.
She was born Feb. 17, 1957, in Lovell. She grew up on farms in Byron and Powell, near her grandparents, great-grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was the third of six children, having an older brother and sister and three younger brothers.
Leann was an amazing complex woman who lived life passionately, with dignity, compassion, loyalty and integrity. She ferociously defended family and friends. She never lied and she never broke confidences. She was willing to try anything and was the first one to laugh at herself if things didn’t work out. Her life was outdoors — work and play.
She earned a criminal justice degree from the University of Wyoming. She was so proud of that accomplishment. She had an incredible understanding of people, children in particular, and had hoped to use her degree to help troubled children. She was a “kid magnet.” She loved children and they idolized her. Her greatest joy was her nieces and nephews, which included nearly every child she knew. She was their favorite “Aunt Annie.”
Our wonderful Leann is survived by her life-partner Lisa Ashby; daughter Ann Lehman; mother-in-law Claudia Ashby; big sister Leatha Trigg (Russ); sister-in-law Janet Snell (Lynn); little brothers Lyle Snell (Mehl Ree), Marty Snell (Patti), and Jeff Snell (Cindy); sister-in-law Lori Buckner; and brothers-in-law Blair Ashby and Bret Ashby. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, her precious nieces and nephews (including “Briannie”), great-nieces and nephews, and many, many close friends.
There will be a viewing on Oct. 9, 2021, at 10 a.m., at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell, followed by a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. at the Byron Cemetery.