Louise Katherine Machan

In loving memory of Louise Katherine Machan, 85, of Casper, Wyoming, who passed away on July 12, 2025 at Banner Wyoming Medical Center.

Louise was born on January 22, 1940, in Highland Park, Michigan to Frank John Machan and Hilda Angela Machan.

Louise spent her childhood in Farmington, Michigan, went to high school at Farmington High School and graduated in 1958. She went on to earn certificates from the John Robert Powers School of Modeling, Detroit and from the IBM Education Center, Los Angeles.

Louise and her best friend, Linda left the Detroit area at the young age of 18, headed for Los Angeles. In the Los Angeles area, she worked in an office as an IBM Keypunch Operator for a few years until she married.

On August 4, 1963, Louise was married to Merton Elmo Payton at The Church of Saint Luke The Evangelist, Temple City, California. Louise gave birth to her son Frank, her only child, in the spring of 1964. In the Fall of 1964, Louise, Mert, and Frank moved to Wyoming, ultimately landing in Casper. Louise and Mert divorced in 1966.

Louise was dedicated to the upbringing of her son. She was a devout Roman Catholic and spent her life dedicated to her faith.

In Casper, she worked for Data Processors, Little America Refining Company, St. Anthony Catholic Church and Wyoming Medical Center. She retired from Wyoming Medical Center in 2012.

She enjoyed the Wyoming outdoors, gardening, sewing, creating dried/artificial flower arrangements, and learning the piano later in life.

Louise is survived by her Son and Daughter-in-law, Frank and Cheryl Payton of Casper, Wyoming; Grandchildren, Rhiannon Harrigan of Portland, Oregon, Matthew Payton of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Michael Payton of Scottsdale, Arizona and Sara Payton of Casper, Wyoming; Sister, Arline King of Castle Rock, Colorado; Brother, Daniel Machan of Fort Collins, Colorado; and seven nieces and nephews. Several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her Father, Frank John Machan (1969); her Mother, Hilda Angela Machan (1991); and her ex-husband, Merton Elmo Payton (2013).

A Rosary will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Ave, Casper, Wyoming. Funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 1401 CY Ave, Casper, Wyoming on July 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. with Father Clark officiating. A committal service will follow at Highland Cemetery, 1860 E 12th St, Casper, Wyoming. After the committal service, a reception in Louise's memory will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Children's Home, 1419 Main St., PO Box 1117, Torrington, WY 82240, Online - https://stjoseph-wy.org/donate/; or a memorial tree planting available at www.bustardcares.com/obituaries/louise-machan

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. Psalm 57:1.