Luanne P. Melcher, of Laramie, Wyoming, passed away at the Hospice House of Laramie March 10^th, 2024. Luanne was born in Laramie on August 2^nd, 1934, to Chester and Fern (Smith) Corbin and had one sibling, James D. Corbin. Luanne grew up in Laramie and worked largely within public service or administrative work, after her graduation from high school. These include but are not limited to the Albany County Assessor’s office, Glen Scott Standard and Capitol Savings and Loan. She married Donald (Don) L. Prahl in Ft Collins, CO on April 30^th, 1955, and they had two children, Janet and Kevin Prahl. Don passed on July 1, 1969. Later, Luanne married Albert N. Melcher on December 5^th, 1974, and together they were a family of five with the addition of Albert’s son Donald Melcher.  

In the late 1980s Albert and Luanne would move to Pharr, Texas where Luanne volunteered in the office of Texas Trails Resort and later the mail room where her and Albert resided. Luanne remained in Texas until Albert’s passing in Edinburg, Texas on October 25^th, 2016. Luanne would then return to Laramie to be surrounded by family.  

Luanne enjoyed bowling, playing cards, bingo, reading, dominos, puzzles, needlework, dancing and singing; especially anything to the tune of Patsy Cline. Luanne was highly known for her trademark phrase (by her grandchildren), “I’ll put you over my checkered apron,” but never actually would live up to it. She loved being in the mountains and gathering huckleberries, fixing pancakes on Sundays, making zucchini bread and especially taking the 4-wheeler for a spin for “chores.” 

Luanne was also frequently recognized as being stubborn instead of being strong. She survived open heart surgery, losing Donald Prahl to cancer, raising two young children on her own, losing Donald Melcher to cancer, and losing Albert while living miles away from anyone else. Her petite size often allowed people to take her for granted, a mistake they would not make twice.  

Luanne is pre-deceased by Donald Prahl, Albert Melcher, stepson Donald Melcher, her parents, and her brother, Jim Corbin. 

She is survived by her daughter Janet Prahl, son Kevin (Joanne) Prahl, three granddaughters Tashina (Tyrel) Lemons, Cassidy (Jake) Ohnstad and Danielle Prahl, step grandson David Melcher, step granddaughter Rebecca (Tyrell) Payne, 3 great grandsons Kaden, Benjamin and Jax, 2 great granddaughters Killian and Vail, 6 step great granddaughters Alliyah, Adrianna, Jaylie, Jalysa, Eva and Eliza and numerous nephews and nieces. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to the Hospice House of Laramie, as they treated not only Luanne, but all residents with respect and kindness.  

Memorial services to be scheduled at a later date.