Aldena Marie Cherva, 74, a cherished resident of Green River, Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Aldena was born July 25, 1952, in Santa Monica, California, to John Cherva and Audrey Aldena Steens. She graduated from Santa Monica schools in 1970 and continued her education, earning a Master’s Degree from the University of Springfield Illinois.
Aldena eventually made Green River, Wyoming, her home, where she lived since 1995 and built a life centered around family, friendship, hard work, and caring for others. She spent 12 years as the office manager for the Joint Powers Water Board before retiring in 2013.
Aldena married the love of her life, Robin Mark Toone, on September 14, 2012, after sharing many wonderful years together before their marriage. Robin loved and cared for Aldena deeply, and the life they built together was incredibly special to her. His passing in 2018 left a space that could never truly be filled.
Above all else, Aldena loved her family fiercely. Her grandchildren became the center of her world, especially after Robin’s passing. She could always be found in the stands, the audience, or wherever else they needed her—attending sporting events, band concerts, school activities, and milestones. She showed up, every single time, and made sure her grandchildren always knew just how proud of them she was.
Aldena also loved traveling with her family, especially trips to Las Vegas with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. She treasured the memories they created together and any opportunity that allowed her to be surrounded by the people she loved most.
Christmas held an especially important place in Aldena’s heart. She embraced the holiday wholeheartedly, famously decorating as many as nine Christmas trees each year. For Aldena, Christmas was never simply a holiday—it was another way to create joy, traditions, and memories for the people she loved.
Aldena was a woman of tremendous integrity and compassion. She believed strongly in doing what was right, standing up for those who could not always stand up for themselves, and simply being a decent human being. She never met a stranger and had a way of making people feel welcomed and cared for. She loved hard, fought for justice, and left an impression on countless people throughout her life.
Aldena is survived by her devoted daughters, Jennifer Leigh Knox and her partner, Scott Zanetti, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Jessica Marie Hudson and her husband, Dusty Hudson, of Green River, Wyoming; and her four beloved grandchildren, Bella “Miss B” Knox-Zanetti, Kenneth “Kenny” Knox-Zanetti, Aurora “Rory” Hudson, and Piper Grace Hudson.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robin Mark Toone, and her parents, John Cherva and Audrey Aldena Steens.
Aldena’s family will forever miss her knowledge, guidance, humor, fierce love, and the comfort of knowing that if something needed to be figured out, she probably knew exactly what to do. Life will never be quite the same without her, but the lessons she taught, the traditions she created, and the enormous love she gave will continue through the family she cherished so deeply.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made in Aldena’s memory to Hospice of Sweetwater County, 333 Broadway Street, Suite 220, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901. Contributions made in her honor will help support the compassionate care of others in the community.
Cremation will take place, and a private family service will be held at a later date.
Condolences for the family may be left through Vase Funeral Home at www.vasefuneralhomes.com.
Aldena’s vibrant spirit, unwavering integrity, and fierce devotion to the people she loved will forever remain in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her.
