After graduating from Big Piney High School in 1972, Louann Tomassi enrolled and attended Eastern Montana College in Billings. She later transferred to Bryman School for Medical Assisting in Portland, Oregon. In June of 1974, Louann graduated from that institution and returned to Big Piney seeking employment at the Marbleton-Big Piney Clinic. Unfortunately, the clinic was still under construction so Louann gained employment as an aide at Big Piney Elementary School. In early 1995, the Marbleton-Big Piney Clinic opened and as a medical assistant, Louann had the amazing experience of seeing first-hand the need of rural medicine. Later that year, she met Tom Heydt and in 1976 they were married. Upon the birth of her first of three sons, it was decided that Louann would stay at home with the children. Although not working in the medical field, her desire and interest never died, it was just put on hold.
Growing up and eventually working for her father, Louie, she was always encouraged by him to get involved with the community and strive to leave it better for those to come. Although she never sought the limelight of running for a public office or holding a political position, Louann caught the vision and felt the importance of doing what she could. Louann’s service began by proudly serving on the very first board for the newly formed Sublette County SAFV Task Force. Later after caring for her aging parents, Louann approached the Clinic Administrator to ask about creating some educational events informing and educating the public on diseases such as Dementia and other related metal disorders. These events such as Alzheimer Awareness walks and presentations by numerous doctors were fine but were not enough for Louann Hedyt and others. With help from Dr. Bracket and Deanne Bradley a volunteer group was formed. The result, “Friends Helping Friends, Caregiver Support Group” was born and is still active after more than eleven years. The many volunteers of this group continuously work to answer the various needs of those in the community. After Dr. Bracket resigned his position at the Marbleton Clinic, Louann assumed the leadership role within the support group. In 2017, Louann Heydt and a group of Wyoming citizens provided input to the Wyoming State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia. The input provided to the plan highlighted the need of accessibility especially to the smaller rural communities of Wyoming. Presently, Louann is serving on the Sublette County Hospital Foundation Board striving to bring the Critical Access Hospital and Long-Term Care Facility, with a memory care unit, to a reality.
Accepting a position in the family car dealership in 1992, Louann was able to give back to the school what she feels they did for her. During her twenty-eight years, E&L Motors remained an avid giver to the school system. Whether it was through continued scholarship donations, student work release programs and summer employments, a community booster for the Puncher sports programs or speaking to or having classes visit the dealership until it closed in 2022, Louann wanted to repay Big Piney schools for all the twelve years she attended and the help she received during that time. She truly believes Big Piney is a great place to grow up and to live.