Marion Peery Kissel

Marion (Joan) Peery Kissel, 94, of Cheyenne, Wyoming—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—passed peacefully from this earth on February 18, 2025.  

She was born on December 8, 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee, the only child of Edward Verl Peery and Lealta Corinne (Caldwell) Peery. Her father’s career with the USDA cotton classification center later moved the family to Greenwood, Mississippi.  

Marion attended Greenwood High School, graduating in 1949. She went on to complete two years of studies at the Mississippi State College for Women, where she participated in the Women’s Athletic Association in basketball and was selected to the Sophomore Honor Society.   

She met and fell in love with Harold (Hal) Arthur Kissel from Indiana, a young Air Force cadet pilot stationed in nearby Greenville. They were married in Greenwood on April 10, 1954. The couple had three children (Steve, Kathy and Linda) and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in April of 2024.  

Marion was a busy homemaker and dedicated military wife, moving with their young family to Louisiana, Texas, California, the Philippines, New Jersey, and eventually to Cheyenne where they settled in 1964.   

In 1971, Marion and Hal bought Mountain Meadow Cabins in the Snowy Range Mountains, where she helped run the resort during the summers. She later worked as a secretary for First Baptist Church of Cheyenne, the Wyoming Department of Education and for the Wyoming State Legislature.  

Marion was active in her church communities as well as social and political organizations. She was proud to serve as president of the Laramie County Republican Women’s Association, the Civic League and the X-JWC Women’s Club. She also served multiple terms as a delegate to the Wyoming Republican Convention and as a Wyoming Republican Committeewoman.  

She loved living in Cheyenne, and she and Hal also relished traveling together, frequenting their timeshares in Hawaii and going on several cruises, including a 110-day, around-the-world cruise. She was a talented painter and prolific crocheter, giving dozens of her creations to family, friends and charity organizations.   

Marion enjoyed entertaining her family and friends and will always be remembered for her feisty spirit, her Southern expressions, her colorful style, her love for her family, and her strong faith. We trust that she is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, delighting in the incredible gardens and reuniting with loved ones in her heavenly home.   

Funeral services will be held at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens on February 24, 2025 at 2 pm, officiated by Rev. Richard Gilbert.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Marion’s honor to the Red Cross or a charity of one’s choice.  

The family would also like to thank the staff of Primrose Retirement Community for their compassionate care and support shown to Marion for the past six years.  

Marion is survived by her loving husband, Hal Kissel (95); Children: Steve Kissel, Kathy (John) Moore, and Linda (Ray) Beattie; Grandchildren: Dylan Kissel, Madison Kissel, Chris (Sara) Hall, Heather (Steve) Sandifer, Michelle (Nick) Bulkowski, Bradley (Natalie) Beattie; Great-grandchildren: Caden Hall, Cash Hall, Emma Sandifer, Madelyn Sandifer, Liam Bulkowski, Keir Bulkowski, and Naomi Beattie.