Zelma (Sam) Ruth Hoyer passed away on November 2, 2026, at Sundance Hospital at the age of 80.

Zelma was born November 5, 1945, in Sundance, WY at the home of midwife Margret Beagle. She was the 6th child born to George and Betty (Sawyer) Hoyer. She was small enough to sleep in a shoebox. Zelma joined her brothers, Dutch (Roy), Wesley and her sisters, Darlene (Pete), Fern, and Mae.

Zelma attended kindergarten and first grade in Sundance, 2nd– 4th grade in Osage and 5th thru 12th in Newcastle where she graduated in 1964. In the Spring of 1965, she moved to Beulah with her parents. While in Beulah she worked at Ranch A for Pete and Odis Smith. She also worked as a fill-in person at the Post Office.

In 1970, her son, Michael Ray Hoyer, was born. In 1974, Zelma started working at the Sand Creek Trading Post for Bill and Jane Dunbar. She continued working at the trading post for Brian Graham, then for Gregg Forsberg until her health issues began November 1999.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Betty Hoyer, her sisters, Mae Evans, Fern Burgdorf, and Darlene (Pete) Taylor, her brothers, Wesley and Roy (Dutch), great niece, Shelby Lynne Jackson, sister-in-law, Brenda Hoyer, and nephew, David Hoyer.

She is survived by her son, Mike Hoyer, grandsons, Ethan Streeter, Brad, and Jayden Hoyer. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great-nephews and nieces. As well as many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Services will be held at 2:30PM Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Church of Christ in Sundance. Burial will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/