Eunice Kay Santmyer

Eunice Kay Santmyer, 79, passed away at her home in Cheyenne,Wyoming on April 24, 2024

Eunice K. (Fennell) Santmyer was born on January 9th 1945 in Burlington, Iowa to Roy and Catherine Fennell. 

 Her early childhood was on the nearby family farm in Gladstone, Illinois. Around the age of 12, she moved to Largo, Florida with her mother Catherine, sister Lorelie and her brother Kirk Fennell (Ziegler). She graduated high school and married James E. Ankers of Largo Florida. They had two children, Stephen Ankers (1965), and Karen Ankers (1967). She later graduated nursing school and began her nursing career working in several area hospitals in Pinellas County Florida.. 

In 1974 the family moved west and settled in Colorado. Eunice continued her nursing career working in several nursing homes and major hospitals.
After a divorce, Eunice married Dr. Carl Santmyer, and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. She continued her long and successful nursing career working primarily as a hospital nurse in Cheyenne, Wyoming hospitals. 

In retirement, Eunice and Carl moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. where they enjoyed many years together. After Carl's death in 2014, Eunice returned to Colorado to be near her family and later back to Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was rejoined by her former husband and long time very close friend James E. Ankers. They remained very close and both helped care for each other in recent years.

Eunice lived her life with a continuous outpouring of kindness and generosity. Her love and care touched all who knew her including her many patients throughout her long nursing career. Those close to her knew of her strong courage and determination to never give up.

Eunice was preceded in death by her father Roy Fennell, mother Catherine (Fennell) Leschorn, stepfather James Ziegler, brother Kirk Fennell (Ziegler) as well as her husband Dr. Carl L. Santmyer. 

She is survived by; her sister Lorelie Ott of Tampa, Florida, Former husband and longtime close friend James E. Ankers of Cheyenne, Wyoming, son Stephen (Susan) Ankers of Cheyenne, Wyoming, daughter Karen (Mark S.) Ankers of Burns, Wyoming, Grandchildren James D. Ankers and Jessica (Jason) Sigmon of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Niece Laurie Ann Beal, Largo, Florida and nephew Larry Ott Tampa, Florida.