Anna Huffman

Anna Cesira Huffman
June 19, 1947 — March 29, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Anna Cesira Huffman on March 29, 2025. Anna was born to Rina Minelli and Rual W. Smith on June 19th, 1947 in Fayette, Missouri. She was raised in Wichita, Kansas and moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1960. She graduated from Natrona County High School in 1966.

In 1968, Anna traveled to Italy with her mother, back to the village of Vergato which Rina had left 22 years earlier as a war bride. This was a trip that Anna cherished with her mother and her first opportunity to meet her grandmother and namesake, Cesira.

In 1972, Anna met George through mutual friends and this began their love story. Anna took care of their daughters, Gina and Niki, while George worked his way through the electrical apprenticeship. In 1977 they moved from Casper to Glenrock (WY) and started Streak Electric. They would operate the business together until 1983, when they moved to Alaska. They continued to run an electrical business in Alaska and Anna found her love of flowers and ease in growing them in the Alaska summertime. She always had beautiful flowers surrounding their homes in Alaska and loved tending to them. Anna and George moved back to Wyoming for a stint and then back to Alaska in 1990. They remained in Alaska until 2001, when they moved to Colorado and then back to Wyoming.

Across the many moves, Anna always took pride in decorating their home and even refinishing and repurposing unique furniture with beautiful results. Her natural, creative talent allowed her to operate a couple of businesses during the years. “Yesterday’s” in Douglas, WY was her first store where she sold furniture she refinished alongside antiques she creatively reimagined. She later opened a shop in "The Barn" in Castlerock, CO with a similar premise. She and George loved exploring garage sales to find the goods that she would breathe new life into and resell. They continued this passion at various times throughout her life. Anna loved to create things from various mediums. Whether it was felting with fibers, painting a mural, or making a floral arrangement, she always had ideas that she wanted to explore and create.

Anna loved to travel and was fortunate to have traveled to Italy numerous times. She had always wanted to visit Sicily and was able to do so this past September. She was known for her kindness and love for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed hosting the “girl’s luncheons” in Glenrock and visiting with friends at Challenges in New Castle. Her creative spirit flowed into all aspects of her life as she was an avid hostess and loved crafting with her grandchildren. Whether it was baking or crafting for friends, she always chose to share her time and energy with family and friends.

Her love of flowers and enjoyment in tending to them continued when they moved to New Castle, Pennsylvania in 2015. The humidity out east agreed with Anna’s sinuses, so they moved to PA when George fully retired. Living near Amish country gave her easy access to beautiful flowers for her yard. She and George spent hours in their yard and she loved to chat with the neighbors while tending her yard.

She is survived by her loving husband, George Huffman and their children, Gina Boleng (Jeff) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Niki Huffman of Wasilla, Alaska. Sisters, Janet Distad (Eric) of Casper, WY and Evelyn Alvarado (Dave) of Larkspur, CO. Grandchildren Storm Donald-Huffman (Laura) of Las Vegas, NV, Cole Donald-Huffman (Noelani) of Wilsonville, OR, Isabella Boleng of New York, NY, Abigail Boleng and Emilia Boleng, both of Pittsburgh. Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Rual and Rina Smith.
A celebration of life will be held in the Casper, WY area this summer.