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 .