The Volunteer - March/April 2024

The Volunteer

A Special Note from our New Director

Hi Volunteers!

I am Josie and I am so excited to serve as your new CFD Old West Museum Executive Director. I officially started on March 11 and am looking forward to meeting all of you and hope that you all stop by and say hi. I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you!

I have a strong background in agriculture growing up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Oregon. I undertook several positions to help promote agriculture and the western lifestyle including serving as the Harney County Oregon Rodeo Queen and Oregon Beef Ambassador. I attended the University of Wyoming where received my bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications with a minor in Journalism.

My career experience includes 14 years in the chamber of commerce industry starting out at the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance in Laramie, Wyoming. For the past six years, I served as the President & CEO for the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce in Grants Pass, Oregon. Through my past positions, I gained a lot of experience in non-profit management, communication, and public relations. It will be my goal to be out in the public promoting the amazing work of our Museum and creating lasting partnerships.

My family and I are excited to be back in Wyoming and it is very fitting to find myself back in an organization that promotes and cultivates the western lifestyle. I am looking forward to continuing the positive work of the Museum and advocating for the needs and mission of the organization.

You’re all welcome to reach out anytime. My email is josie.molloy@oldwestmuseum.org or you can also call 307-778-1416. You are also always welcome to just stop by the Museum as I would love to meet each and every one of you!

Josie Molloy Executive Director

by Jack Olson

Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum Volunteer Newsletter

Redtail Hawk

A Heartfelt Thank You

Dear friends,

A discussion was had at our most recent staff meeting that highlighted what our favorite things about the Museum were. The main thrust of the conversation was about Western Spirit, the American Indian regalia exhibit, the Miss Frontier banners, our Frontier Days movie in the theater, and so on. It was pointed out, however, by a thoughtful staff member how special it was to have a strong corps of volunteers who could be relied upon for any task that may be asked of them. The nodding heads and verbal ascent from all of the assembled staff brought home to me the breadth of your ongoing contributions to our success.

As we talked about this, I found myself looking across the table to the chair where your greatest cheerleader would have been sitting. I was struck by the sense that Janet was still in that chair as your fiercest advocate, leaning forward while placing her hand on the table and saying “Of course it is. These people are wonderful, ain’t they?” You certainly are. We are deeply grateful to her for working so hard to keep you engaged and happy while working for us. You are her legacy.

Janet’s absence is keenly felt here at the Museum. We all recognize that whoever comes to assume her position will have to meet a high standard; we also know that Janet is not someone that it is possible to replace. She was a bona fide original who enriched us all in a cornucopia of unique ways.

Janet’s departure is only one of the many changes that have faced us all in the last half-year. To the people on the outside, to our guests especially, the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum exudes quality and pride in its mission, undiminished by the buffets it endures. This is due, in very large measure, to your stalwart kindness and support that has proved to be the foundation of the institution since its inception. You are the wind at our backs, and together we step forward confidently into our future.

Thank you.

Mike Kassel

Obituary for Janet Kay Wampler

Our mom, Janet Kay Marks Wampler, was born on May 11, 1939– no, that is not a typo for those of you shocked to learn her age—in Cheyenne, to Irene and Ferree Marks. After a brief move to Tacoma, Washington, the family returned to Cheyenne where she spent most of her childhood, with her older sister, Joella, and baby brother, Sam. She graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1957.

Though she told them they were all insane, her advisers at the University of Wyoming recruited her into their first Honors Scholar program upon her matriculation. She loved her time in Laramie, particularly her involvement with her sorority, and, of course, they loved her. We’re not so sure her grades lived up to the potential her advisors saw, but that was never the point. Janet’s mission in life was to have fun in the moment and provide real-time entertainment for anyone she met; and those she did meet rarely forgot the experience.

One of those she met was our dad, Robert Wampler, of Riverton. They were married and during his Law School education, she had her number one son, Russell, in Laramie. After Law School they moved first to Chicago, then to Mill Valley, California, where she had her only daughter, Robin. It didn’t take them too long to decide they needed to get back to the mountains, and found an opportunity to move to Helena, Montana, in 1967. She spent the next three decades there raising those two, along with their next and final addition, Todd. Janet’s life in Helena was an uninterrupted festival with highlights including extensive work with Robin’s Camp Fire Girls of America group, where her charisma made her a favorite of the girls and moms alike. It led to her eventual employment by the Helena chapter, where she worked for several years. We were all the envy of all of our friends, who couldn’t believe how cool our mom was.

Unfortunately, no true story is without struggles, and she lost Bob to an early demise from emphysema in their early 40s. But, she kept moving with an active social life, never failing to be the life of whatever function she jumped into—her bridge group, her exercise group, or the party. She offered her services as a volunteer at St. Peter’s Hospital, and as will surprise no one who knows her and reads this, was eventually put in charge of all of them. She headed up the volunteers at the hospital and sat on the hospital board for a few years. She also volunteered at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Helena, regaling the visitors with hilarious tales of past goings-on in the historic building, some of which were actually true.

After all her kids made a successful leap out of the nest, Cheyenne called to her again. She moved back to help her aging mom, and relished the culture for which Cheyenne is famous. Though her own children were scattered across the map, Janet was fortunate to be embraced by the family of her nephew, David. She became an important part of their lives in Cheyenne, and an inspiration to David and Joanmarie’s girls—Morgan, Jordan, Cassidy, and Shannon. She found her true passion in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, working the gift shop, and eventually was hired as the volunteer coordinator. She became the museum’s most flamboyant and enthusiastic ambassador, and probably its greatest customer, as she festooned her townhome with Old West memorabilia. She never missed an opportunity to invite others over to enjoy the atmosphere of “West World”. Amazingly, she kept coordinating those volunteers up until her illness stuck just last month. Janet amassed a huge following in her time back in her hometown. Everyone we are introduced to in Cheyenne tells us Janet is one of their favorite people. And they mean it. On Wednesday, March 13, Cheyenne lost a true character. Janet was preceded in death by her parents; by her Husband, Robert Wampler, and her sister, Joella. She is survived by her brother, Sam Marks of Duluth, her children Russ Wampler of Lechlade, England, Robin Wampler King of Salt Lake, and Todd Wampler of Helena; by Russ’ children Sasha and Lauren; by Todd’s children Kelcie, Megan, and Hayden; by her nieces Jane and Susan, and by David, Joanmarie, Morgan, Jordan, Cassidy, and Shannon.

A celebration of her life is planned for Summer 2024 in Cheyenne. Watch her facebook page https://www. facebook.com/markswampler?mibextid=dGKdO6 for announcements. Any wishing to donate to a cause in her honor are invited to contact the Old West Museum or go to https://www.oldwestmuseum.org/donate.

THANK YOU!

The Museum Staff wishes to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sue Miller for acting as our Volunteer Coordinator during this difficult transition. This thoughtful gesture was not unnoticed and we are in a great deal of debt to Sue for her willingness to step right in and take on this task as she did so seamlessly.

Birthdays

March

Megan Evans

Brenda Lutton

Roy Schamel

Anna Thompson

Beverly Webster

April

Linda Eaglefeather

Glenda Hoffman

Lois McPherson

Genelle “Pete” Rogers

Edith Vosler

Mallory Smith

1.

2.

3.

Don’t see your birthday? Call Sue at (307) 778-1418. We would love the opportunity to acknowledge every one of you! Upcoming Events April