Star Valley, UW Stunned By Sudden Death Of Equipment Manager In Lawn Mower Accident

A 21-year-old Star Valley woman and equipment manager for the University of Wyoming football team died Thursday in a lawn mower accident.

Kimberly Choma’s father, Bob Choma, said he found his daughter, who had been doing grounds maintenance on a property. 

“The mower shifted and ended up sliding and rolling over on top of her,” he said.

Bob and his wife, Lisa Choma, describe their daughter as someone who made an impact on others during her brief life. 

Her work as an equipment manager for the university, and before that the football and basketball teams at Star Valley High School, reflected her love of service.

“One of the reasons she really loved that job was that she just really loved to serve and help,” said Lisa Choma, Kimberly’s mother. “She loved people.”

Bob Choma added that his daughter was not someone who wanted or needed to be noticed for her service. 

He recalled a conversation they had when she was younger about not having a desire to be a celebrity or “well-known,” but to be a “shining star.” He said whatever she did, she pursued it with all her ability.

“She always led by example. If she gave you her word that she was going to do something or be there for you, she followed through,” Bob Choma said. “Even if she had to stay late and finish the project or whatever she had committed to, she would see to it that the job was accomplished to the end.”

Growing up, Kimberly showed livestock competitively. 

At UW, she chose to major in journalism and would have entered her senior year this fall.

Last August, Kimberly was involved in a serious rollover accident that left her in an ICU for a few days and resulted in multiple surgeries. Her parents said she had made progress in her recovery, but was still dealing with some health issues.

A Woman Of Faith

Kimberly’s faith was a big part of her life, they said.

“She always had a Christ-like attitude,” her father said. “She was proud and open about her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A picture of Christ was the screensaver on her phone.”

At the time of her accident, Kimberly found herself in a hayfield from 11:30 p.m. until being found at 6 the next morning, her parents said. 

Her shoes were gone, but her feet were perfectly clean and uncut despite broken glass and in the dirt and green grass of a recently cut hayfield.

“She firmly believes angels were there protecting her,” Bob Choma said.

Kimberly’s older brother Robert posted a salute to his sister on the family’s Facebook page that called out her character.

“Words cannot describe how grateful I am for you. You’re the best little sister I could have ever asked for,” he wrote. “You are the strongest, kindest, most selfless and Christlike person I know. 

“You suffered and went through so much. I love you and I wish I had told you more how much me and Jacob and Amber look up to you. Mom and Dad are so so proud of you.”

Star Valley High School teacher and football coach McKay Young said Kimberly represented “what all of us aspire to be.” 

He said he has not known a student at the high school who had such a diverse friend group, and she was close to all of them.

Young called the young woman “helpful,” “service-oriented” and “interested in other people.”

“It’s easy in a situation like this to glamorize people or make them out better than they actually were, but that isn’t the case with Kim,” he said. “You can’t overemphasize what a good human being she was.”

‘More Choma’

After Kimberly’s auto accident last August, Young said the football team staged a fundraiser for the family, along with a GoFundMe campaign for medical expenses. 

They had T-shirts made that read: “The World Needs More Choma.”

Young said she was that kind of person, and if more people lived like her the world “would be a better place to live in.”

During her recovery from the accident last fall at home, Young said Kimberly came to some football practices and helped teach other managers.

At the University of Wyoming, Athletic Director Tom Burman characterized the young woman as “an important part of our UW family.”

“She was loved by her co-workers, student-athletes and all those who interacted with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Choma family,” he said.

The university’s head football coach echoed Burman.

“Kim Choma was loved by everyone associated with Cowboy football,” Jay Sawvel said. “Her attitude, kindness, work ethic and, most of all, her smile will be so dearly missed and never forgotten. Our prayers go out to all members of the Choma family.”

University of Wyoming defensive tackle Cody Crawford of Casper said he had known Choma for the past two years that he has been on the team and called her “a fantastic teammate and person.”

“I never saw her without a smile,” he said. “Very friendly and always a great person to talk to about our equipment things.”

Walker said her loss definitely has an impact.

“As with all grief, it’s going to be for a while,” he said.

Bob and Lisa Choma said services for their daughter are planned for July 5 at the Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Thayne, Wyoming, and burial will follow at the Etna Alpine Cemetery in Etna.

Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.