LINGLE – A celebration of life for Donna Wells Phipps, 82, will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Lingle Presbyterian Church with Curtis Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Lingle. Donna passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Goshen Healthcare Community following a long battle with kidney cancer. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com
Donna was born May 16, 1943, in Scottsbluff to Harold “Burt” Anderson and Thelma “Gail” (Peterson) Anderson. Raised in Henry where her family had a mercantile store, she was surrounded by a loving community of family and friends. She was an active member in 4-H where she began her love for agriculture. Donna went to primary school in Henry then to Torrington for high school. She married her high school sweetheart Lloyd Wells on June 11, 1961, shortly after she graduated. They farmed in Torrington until they bought their farm in Lingle in 1968. They raised Brian and Brenda on the farm.
Donna believed work kept the family close and taught the kids good values. Donna drove tractor and truck on the farm but her true passion was gardening. She had large flower and vegetable gardens where you would find her planting and pulling weeds. Donna enjoyed time with friends and family canning, sewing, cooking, harvesting and working cattle. Donna and Lloyd farmed together until his passing in 1983.
Donna married Jim Phipps in January of 1985. They incorporated his ranch and her farm into one progressive operation. Donna spent much of her time looking for ways to improve their properties and support agriculture. Donna and Jim enjoyed traveling together and spent many years in the company of good friends they fondly referred to as “The Old Gang”
Donna enjoyed people and helping where she was needed. She was a member of the Lingle Presbytery Church, Rawhide Extension Club, Grassroots Garden Club, Master Gardeners, Lions Club, Beta Sigma Phi, on Republican Committees, Quilting Groups, WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics) Lingle Ft. Laramie Soil Conservation District Board for 20 years and the Wyoming Livestock Board. She was an Avon Lady and worked at a greenhouse.
Donna spent countless hours writing letters to legislators and made numerous trips to Washington DC to lobby for farm interests. Jim supported Donna and attended many meetings with her until he passed in January of 2010. After his passing Donna traveled with friends or family. Some of the places she went to were the Panama Canal, Greece, Germany, Holland, London, Scottland, Ireland, Hawaii, New York and Georgia.
Donna loved spending time with her friends and family. Her special place was “The Cabin” on Laramie Peak. Built by her father in the 1940’s it is safe to say her happiest memories were of time spent there.
Donna is survived by her children: Brian (Connie) Wells, Brenda (Kent) Santillanes, Stepson James Alex and (Pam) Phipps. Grandchildren: Rob (Christine) Walker, Kyle (Melissa) Walker, Nate (Morgan) Santillanes, Lindsey Santillanes, Leah (Louis) Andonian. Step-grandchildren: Ashley (Kyle) Westover, Austin (Caitlyn) Phipps. Siblings Shirley (Skip) Lessert, Craig Anderson, Karen (Mike) Stricker. Numerous great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many extended family members.
