WordPress.com



Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattlewomen History

Compiled By Jonita Sommers and Tawnya Miller

The first Cowbelle meeting in the United States was held on October 17, 1939 in Mattie Cowan’s home on the Four Bar Ranch owned by Ralph and Mattie Cowan in Cochise County, Arizona. Sixteen women met and Mrs. Ben Snure suggested they call themselves “Cow Belles.” They planned to meet for only social events. It developed into an organization to help promote the beef industry and friendship among cattle people.

The Wyoming Cow-Belles organized in Lander, Wyoming during the annual Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s meeting on June 6, 1940, which was a group of ladies who wanted to do more for the livestock industry. Mrs. George (Charlotte) Snodgrass, assisted by Mrs. George A. Cross “called a meeting of the wives and women of the Stock Growers Association…for the purpose of forming an organization of the women. Mrs. Snodgrass contacted the president of the Wyoming Stock Growers about starting the organization and he was very enthusiastic by offering his cooperation and support. The objective of the organization was to help develop the social well-being of the women in our organization and in our State and to be of assistance to the Wyoming Stock Growers Association in its efforts to promote the livestock industry.” They asked the Arizona group if they could use the name “Cow-Belles.” Mrs. Norman (Miriam) Barlow, Wyoming Cow-Belle president in 1946-47, told the 1947 convention of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, “…We have the distinction of being the first organization of our kind anywhere. While we did take the name of a group of ranch women in Arizona, they only were county-wide in scope. We organized in 1940, whereas the Arizona Cowbelles did not achieve state-wide status until this year. Colorado’s Cow-Belles are next to us in age.” Much of the information about the formation of the Wyoming Cowbelles and American National Cowbelles was taken from Wyoming’s Cow-Belles 1940-1986 compiled by Dixie Mathisen. The founding members for the Wyoming Cowbelles from Green River Valley were as follow:

Mrs. Earl Wright (should be Mrs. Eva Wright)—Farson

Mrs. Boyd (Mary) Kelly—Daniel

Ruthie Kelly (Mary’s sister-in-law)—Daniel

Mrs. Norman (Miriam) Barlow—Cora

Mrs. George (Ruth) Franz—Daniel

Mrs. Ned (Agnes) George—Daniel

Mrs. Robert (Virginia) O’Neil—Big Piney

Mrs. Thomas (Mary Ellen) O’Neil—Big Piney

The following women of the Green River Valley were officers of the Wyoming Cowbelles:

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia) of Big Piney—Treasurer 1941-42

Mrs. T.D. O’Neil (Mary Ellen) of Big Piney—Historian 1942-43

Mrs. T.D. O’Neil (Mary Ellen) of Big Piney—President 1943-44

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam) of Cora—Treasurer 1943-44

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam) of Cora—Vice-President 1945-46

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam) of Cora—President 1946-47

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia) of Big Piney—Vice-President 1951-52

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia) of Big Piney—President 1952-53

Mrs. John Kvenild (Helen) of Big Piney—Auditor 1954-55

Mrs. Carl Jorgensen (Rachel) of Pinedale—Parliamentarian 1955-56

Mrs. Joe Budd (Ruth) of Big Piney—Parliamentarian 1958-59

Mrs. Don Jewett (Ethel) of Big Piney—Vice-President 1959-60

Mrs. Don Jewett (Ethel) of Big Piney—President 1960-61

Mrs. Carl Jorgensen (Rachel) of Pinedale—Secretary/Treasurer 1960-61

Mrs. John Kvenild (Peggy) of Big Piney—Historian 1964-65

Mrs. Joe Budd (Ruth) of Big Piney—Historian 1965-66

Mrs. Mike Marincic (Dorothy) of Big Piney—Auditor 1970-71

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Historian 1971-72

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—Historian 1975-76

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—Secretary 1978-79

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—Treasurer 1980-81

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—2nd Vice-President 1981-82

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Parliamentarian 1982-83

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Secretary 1983-84

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Parliamentarian 1987-88

Mrs. Wayne Jensen (Kay) of Boulder—Historian 1992-93

Mrs. William Barney (Ann) of Big Piney—Parliamentarian 2000-01

At the annual American National Cattlemen’s Association convention in San Francisco during January 1951, an organizing chair was elected to form the American National Cowbelles. The American National Cowbelles were incorporated on January 7, 1952 at the American National Cattlemen’s Association’s convention in Fort Worth, Texas. The following women from Green River Valley were charter members of the American National Cowbelles:

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam)—Cora

Mrs. Donald Jewett (Ethel)—Big Piney

Mrs. Gordon Jewett (Lora)—Big Piney

Mrs. Carl Jorgensen (Rachel)—Pinedale

Mrs. Philip Marincic (Elva)—Big Piney

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia)—Big Piney

Miss Sandra O’Neil (daughter of Virginia)—Big Piney

Miriam Barlow stated the following about Sandra O’Neil in the Wyoming’s Cow-Belles 1940-1986 compiled by Dixie Mathisen: “Many of us are very old or gone by now except Sandra O’Neil Wohrman. She was so young that she slept through it in her basket. Virginia wrote her name and paid her dues.”

Below was Miriam Barlow’s remembrance of the starting of the American National Cowbelles, which was in the Wyoming’s Cow-Belles 1940-1986 compiled by Dixie Mathisen:

The American National Stockgrowers had their 75th anniversary in 1947. The meeting was held in Phoenix early in January. The legislature was late that year so Norman and I decided we could make both meetings if we drove all night between Phoenix and Cheyenne.

I thought that their anniversary would be a fine time for our State Cow-Belles to start a national CowBelles. I had the approval of both the local and national officers. I think maybe Sam Hyatt was National President that year.

As Wyoming President, I presented the idea at a ladies luncheon. The vote was close, but it did not pass. Anyhow, it shook up the Arizona women. They became state-wide in short order, and they were ready for us the next time the national meeting was held in Phoenix. They made the move to become national. They even had all the officers picked for the new organization. The meeting was in a huge room and all the seats were full.

When they submitted the proposed list, someone was supposed to close the nominations and put them in by acclamation.

I committed the unpardonable sin of nominating Charlotte Snodgrass from the floor for president. The vote was taken without proof of membership and by voice only. So, of course, the nays had it. Much to my surprise, there was a large vote for Charlotte, just not large enough, at least not in Arizona.

Margie Thomas was also chairwoman of the Consumer Relations Committee along with being on the Legislative Committee representing five western states and the National Beef Cookoff Committee for the American National Cowbelles.

On January 28, 1986, the organization changed its name to the American National Cattle Women. In 1992, the Wyoming Cow-Belles changed their name to the Wyoming Cattle Women. The Green River Valley Cowbelles changed their name to the Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattle Women in 2000.

To see if it would be possible to form a local Cowbelle organization in the Green River Valley, a preorganizational meeting was held at Marge Thomas’s home. Helen O’Neil, Ruth Budd, Miriam Barlow, Rachel Jorgensen and Marge Thomas attended the meeting. In March 1969, seventy women gathered for lunch at the Bowl-More in Big Piney to show their interest in forming a Cow Belle Auxiliary to the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association. Tharon Greenwood conducted the meeting. Miriam Barlow was the spokesperson for the officers’ nomination committee which consisted of the four Wyoming Cowbelle officers from the Green River Valley. These charter members were Miriam Barlow, Ethel Jewett, Ruth Budd and Rachel Jorgensen. The newly formed group called themselves the Green River Valley Cowbelles with Marge Thomas, president, Dorothy Marincic, vice-president, and Dele Ball, secretary-treasurer. Wyoming Cow-Belle’s president, Mrs. Holmes, inducted the new officers. The group’s objective was to help develop the social well-being of the women in the organization and assist the Green River Valley Cattlemen in their endeavor to promote the livestock Industry. There were thirty-three members when the Green River Valley Cowbelles started. Fifty-seven people bought lunch at $2 per plate. The dues were $1 and went to $2. Through the year, the number of members grew to 73. In 2009, the dues were $5, and there were 53 members. Today there are eleven of the original thirty-three members and twenty-three of the other founding members still with us.

The founding members are listed below:

Dele Ball

Miriam Barlow

Barbara Budd

Ruth Budd

Carol Copeland

Toni Dapra

Rusty Endecott

Mary Fear

Tharon Greenwood

Dorothy Hay

Ethel Jewett

Mary Caroline Jorgensen

Rachel Jorgensen

Karmen Marincic

Emma Meeks

Joan Mickelson

Kristy Mickelson

Mae Mickelson

Margaret Mickelson

Mildred Miller

Muffin Miller

Pam Miller

Jeane Murdock

Ann Olson

Ena Olson

Helen O’Neil

Pat Osborn

Ellanora Pfisterer

Mickey Thoman

Margie Thomas

Bette Thompson

Mrs. Twilliger

Dorothy Wilder

By the end of 1969, the member list had grown from the original 33 to 81 members as listed below:

Nancy Anspach

Helen Bray

Kathryn Briggs

Marion Boroff

DeAnne Bradley

Bonnie Budd

Margaret Bousman

Barbara Brewer

Margie Buyer

Pat Campbell

Nancy J. Carter

Clarabelle Clark

Mayme Devine

Eileen Dockham

Joyce Dockham

Helen Evans

Mardell Fear

Ann Gurney

Ona Gurney

Bette Hagenstein

Lillian Harrower

Hazel James

Janice Kanski

Lois Koch

Helena Linn

Dorothy Marincic

Stella McKinstry

Betty Lou McLoughlin

Lois McNeel

Dona Rae Morss

Marian Mrak

Barbara Pape

Mary Pfisterer

Sandra Pfisterer

Wilma Shriver

Verla Sommers

Shirley Tanner

Dorothy Taylor

Violet Travelute

Lynda Vickrey

Mrs. Wagstaff

Ruth Wilson

Mary Helen Welborn

Joined by 1970-71

Teddy Carney

Mrs. A.G. Miller

Mary Pape

Rose Pape

Ellie Richardson

Lois Steele

The Cowbelles wanted to get a plate with all the brands of the ranches in the Green River Valley, so they could make napkins and placemats. Rachel Jorgensen talked to Mr. Terwilliger, president of the First National Bank of Pinedale, and he stated the bank would pay for the first order. Toni Dapra designed the first napkins. In later years, Murlie Morss drew the scenes used on the napkins. They donated brand napkins for three large county barbeques, Bondurant, Chuckwagon Days and Rendezvous. The group is still selling napkins and they have just made a new plate with updated brands.

A history notebook was started on the livestock industry in the Green River Valley. The Cowbelles began collection of recipes for a cookbook. A style review by the local merchants was held for the annual luncheon. They distributed flyers from the Wyoming Beef Council concerning the price of beef for better understanding by the consumer. They concluded the year with an achievement luncheon which has become an annual event. At this event for the favor given to each member attending the meeting, Marge Thomas, Wilma Shriver and Dona Rae Morss asked Murlie Morss to make stirrups with the individual’s brand on it, so they could be used as napkin holders.

In 1970, the Green River Valley Cowbelles started the Ranch Woman of the Year making them the first chapter of Cowbelles to honor a ranchwoman of the year. Mildred M. Miller was Chosen as the Green River Valley Cowbelle’s first Ranchwoman of the Year, making her the first from the Green River Valley and from the state of Wyoming. Father (Parent) of the Year was also started in 1970 and was continued through 2003. These Ranch Women of the Year were recognized for their special abilities as a wife, mother, and ranch worker as well as their participation in any community affairs, all of which made them outstanding. To show off the Ranch Woman of the Year and Friend of Agriculture, the Cowbelles designed and entered a float in the Fourth of July Parade in Big Piney. It was also a good promotional tool. This was started with the first Ranch Woman of the Year. Mildred Miller and Dele Ball, the first two ranch women of the year, rode horses in the parade. Lynda Vickrey, DeAnne Bradley and Mary Fear built a float for Lois McNinch, and Stella McKinstry rode with her in the parade. The Ranch Women of the Year are listed below:

1970 Mildred Miller

1971 Dele Ball

1972 Inez Finnegan

1973 Mary H. Pape

1974 Lois McNinch

1975 Elva Marincic

1976 Laura Thompson

1977 Jeane Murdock

1978 Margaret Mickelson

1979 Mae Mickelson

1980 Ellen Richie

1981 Daisy Dean Fransico

1982 Lydia Steele

1983 Mardell Fear

1984 Ruth Budd

1985 Helen Bray

1986 Mabel James

1987 Mary Fear

1988 Verla Sommers

1989 Dona Rae Morss

1990 Tharon Greenwood

1991 Bette Thompson

1992 Marion Boroff

1993 Bette Hagenstein

1994 Connie McKinsey

1995 Anne Olson

1996 Barbara J. Pape

1997 Barbara Budd

1998 Kathryn Briggs

1999 Wilma Shriver

2000 Martha Saunders

2001 Lynda Vickrey

2002 Beth Bray

2003 Becky Downs

2004 Sharlene Lozier

2005 DeeAnn Price

2006 Sandy Wright

2007 Holly Davis

2008 Marilyn Jensen

2009 Ena Olson

2010 Jane Wardell

2011 Tara Miller

2012 Mickey Thoman

2013 Deanne Bradley

2014 Jody Thompson

The Father (Parent) of the Year are listed below:

1970 Richard Griggs

1971 Darrell Copeland

1972 Don Rogers

1973 Ronald Ball

1974 Wayne Howey

1975 Larry Henry

1976 Curtis Wsaisath

1977 no one selected

1978 Frank Bray

1979 Richard Scott

1980 no one selected

1981 Michael Hughes

1982 Marvin Price

1983 Joel Bousman

1984 Steve Fisher

1985 no one selected

1986 Rod Rozier

1987 Dan Johnson

1988 Casey Osborn

1990 Mike Melinkovich

1991 Cotton Guio

1992 no one selected

1993 Wayne Raza

1994 Chris Moffat

1995 David Axelson

1996 Ted Roberts

1997 Becky Marincic

1998 Brent Dean

1999 Carolyn Bing

2000 Charlotee Keyser

2001 Bob Beiermann

2002 no one selected

2003 Nancy & Joe Colton

In 1971, under the leadership of Dorothy Marincic, the group started the Friend of Agriculture to acknowledge the people in the Green River Valley who are very supportive of the ranching industry in the Green River Valley. The purpose of the award was to create a positive attitude toward ranching and ranch-organized activities between the Cowbelles and the business people in the Green River Valley. In 2010, all businesses, stores, financial institutions or companies as well as individuals such as teachers, and government employees are eligible for nomination. The Friends of Agriculture are listed below:

1971 Helen Evans

1972 Cowboy Shop

1973 Burney & Co.

1974 Stella McKinstry

1975 State Bank of Big Piney

1976 Johnson Trucking

1977 Darrell Walker

1978 Chuck Thornton

1979 LoDisa Quinlivan

1980 Richard Bower, DVM

1981 Harold & Beulah Faler

1982 Madge Funk

1983 Joe Hay

1984 Harvey Graham

1985 Bert Reinow

1986 “Blackie” Shriver

1987 Courtney Davis

1988 Vern & Rosemary Aultman

1989 Ross Calvert

1990 Forrest Cramer

1991 Dennis Almquist

1992 Bob Dew

1993 Dan Budd

1994 Eric Peterson

1995 Fred Alexander

1996 Jack Toomer

1997 no one selected

1998 Rob Shaul

1999 Brent Dean

2000 Daryle Bennett

2001 Tiger & Melba Jaskolski

2002 Adrianne Peterson

2003 Bob Beiermann

2004 Arlinda McLaughlin

2005 Paul Scherbel

2006 Kay Buston

2007 Bob & Carolyn Bing

2008 Bob Klaren

2009 Kevin Williams

2010 Jennifer Hayward

2011 Sundowner Band

2012 Chad Hayward

2013 Tom Colerick

2014 Paulette and Norm Waller of Waller Trucking

The first Barbie-Cue column appeared in the Pinedale Roundup in 1971 which was part of the beef promotion the group was working to bring to the public. They used the county papers for many beef promotions including “Toby and T-bone” and “What’s Your Beef” which included information about beef and the ranchers’ story. Spot ads were put in the newspapers about beef facts. They put out facts about different cuts of beef in the newspaper and the stores. They assisted at the county barbecues and advertised “Green River Valley beef is served.” In 1972, the beef promotion committee became even more active by going to the nonagricultural communities of Kemmerer and Rock Springs where they presented beef samples and demonstrations to stores and schools. One very successful endeavor was gathering recipes of the particular cut of meat that was on sale in each of the country stores and making many copies to put on the meat counters for customers to take and use. A Son-of-a-gun-stew straight from the roundup cook’s recipes was a great success.

Harvest Ball was first held in 1971 at the Pit and Primer in Marbleton, Wyoming. The Cowbelles started the Harvest Ball to give back to the community. It was attended by 270 people who were served prime rib followed by a cocktail hour. There was dancing to the “Salty Dogs.” Many remember the Harvest Ball as elaborate and fancy, much to the credit of Anne Olson who worked tirelessly in the organization of the Harvest Ball in its early years. The Harvest Ball continued through 1997and was discontinued until 2000 when the Cowbelles held another dinner and dance called the Snowball at the Waterhole #3 in Marbleton. In 2003, they had the Fall Bash at the Boulder Community Center. At the Fall Bash in 2003, Sandy Wright danced the night away, only to require knee surgery following the event.

Miss Debbie Daniels, 14, of the Big Piney Cowpunchers 4-H Club, won the steer in an open drawing held by the Green River Valley Cowbelles in 1972. She chose her calf from the Bill McGinnis ranch’s calves. They also ran a concession stand at fair. Starting in 1974, the Cowbelles awarded a halter for the best first year showmanship at the Sublette County Fair. In 1985, they started giving a trophy instead of a halter, and in 2002, they started giving a plaque instead of a trophy. The following participants were winners:

1974 Mandy Fear (Halter)

1975 Mike Vickrey (possibly)

1976 Lisa Beard

1977 Shelly Bray (halter)

1978 Brian Espenscheid

1979 unknown

1980 Nikol Vickrey (Halter)

1981 Becky Sims

1982 Clay Price & Will Hunt

1983 Sherri Pearson

1984 Angie Boroff (Halter)

1985 Audra McGinnis (Trophy instead of halter)

1986 Justin Roberts

1987 Taylor Bardin

1988 Cotton Bousman

1989 Raelynn Sanborn

1990 Wes Miller

1991 Karla Sanborn

1992 Mike McGinnis

1993 Katherine Schemelz

1994 Kristen Boroff

1995 Mae Peterson

1996 Hadley Quintard

1997 Tanner Bates

1998 Matti Fear

1999 Tandy Peterson

2000 Luke Johnston

2001 Emily Johnston

2002 Jake James (Plaque instead of Trophy)

2003 Emilee Sims

2004 Alison Sturman

2005 Shawn Butner

2006 Megan Sims

2007 Josie Barney

2008 Karson Bradley

2009 Danielle Jones

2010 Molly Sullivan

2011 Kolby Bradley

2012 Muriel Jones

2013 Cassidy Espenscheid (Buckle instead of Plaque)

The Cowbelles started making brand quilts with the brands of the Green River Valley and selling raffle tickets for the quilt as a money making project in 1976. In 1978, the money made from the quilt was used to benefit the scholarship fund for a senior in the Big Piney and Pinedale High Schools. The first quilt featured 80 brands which were purchased for $1.00 per brand. Margaret Mickelson made the first quilt using scraps from her sewing material. There have been as high as 253 brands on a quilt. In 2010, there are 120 brands on the quilt costing $5.00 per brand. The quilt is a sought after item. The ladies do a wonderful job of making a unique quilt each year with the brands. The quilt winners are listed below:

1976 Joe Budd

1977 Barbara McGinnis

1978 Charlotte Keyser

1979 Shirley Bray

1980 Betty Cone

1981 Corabelle Clark

1982 Pat Pearson

1983 Rosemary Aultman

1984 Lois Steele

1985 Jamie Wood

1986 Dennis Cramer

1987 Betsy Greenwood

1988 Betty Lou Pearson

1989 Myles McGinnis

1990 Ruth Reniow

1991 Becky Thompson

1992 Crystal Norris

1993 Dan Dockham

1994 Dona Rae Morss

1995 Karen Andrews

1996 Tharon Greenwood

1997 Paul Reno

1998 Tom Burns

1999 Tom Linn

2000 Francosis Chalopin

2001 Diane Mickelson

2002 Eric Fairbanks

2003 Bill Harns

2004 Unknown

2005 Dena Vernieuw

2006 Naomi Pape

2007 Kelsi Dean

2008 Nancy Reed

2009 SnoAnn Engler

2010 Bonnie Budd

2011 Sherri Bohleen

2012 Nina David

2013 Tyler Farenbaugh

2014 Kyla Woffinden

The students receiving the scholarship are listed below:

Big Piney High School Pinedale High School

1978 Stan Olson Unknown

1979 Kathy Bray Unknown

1980 Brenda Marincic Chopper Grassell

1981 Becky Bradley Todd Bennett

1982 no scholarship given Sarah Noble

1983 Julie Olson Rob Aultman

1984 no scholarship given Chris Aultman

1985 Marsha Barlow no scholarship given

1986 Tim Sims Tony Saunders

1987 Marilyn Bradley Sharon David

1988 Becky Copeland Nikol Vickrey

1989 Gerda Mickelson Jamie Swain

1990 Carolyn Dickie Bill Swain

1991 Amie Schell Walter Bousman

1992 Mack Bradley Angie Boroff

1993 Darby Hoffman Walter Bousman

1994 Harold Meeks Jim Bousman

1995 Jory Tatro Mandy Boroff

1996 Dusty Hoffman Heidi Campbell

1997 John Downs Kevin James

1998 Tim Rutar Raelynn Sanborn

1999 Brandi Johnston Jake Filkins

2000 Josh Tatro Jesse Harrell

2001 Danyell Bates Megan McCormick

2002 Jake Green wood Ty Swain

2003 Courtney Bates Tiffany Jackson

2004 Marie Ball Erin Marincic

2005 Hadley Quintard Maggie Roberts

2006 Amanda Thompson Jason Vickrey

2007 no scholarship given Cassie Webb

2008 Addison Milleg Meridith Noble

2009 Haley Lockwood Angela Ritschel

2010 Austin Doyle Jacob Burnett

2011 Logan Barlow Heather Owens

2012 Shyla Hill Ryan Rohlfs

2013 T.J. Peterson Casey Manning

2014 Michael Howard Heather Grossman

It has not been all sunshine either. The organization has sent protest letters to President Carter remonstrating with him for recommending meatless meals, mainly “Beefless Wednesday.” They protested to the New York Times for their editorial against Stan Hathaway for Secretary of Interior and sent telegrams supporting him to the congressional delegation. During 1985, they had a written protest to the Ranger Rick article in the Wildlife magazine regarding cattle as pollutants on the forest lands.

The Cowbelles have sold National Cowbelle smiley pins, T-shirts and bumper stickers. They designed their own bumper sticker, “Green River Valley Beef is Best,” and they designed their own Green River Valley stationary to sell.

In 1984, the Cowbelles put together a brand book for the brands in Sublette County which was finished in 1985. It was published along with the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association. There were 1100 brands in the book. Murl Morss drew the brands, and Verla Sommers was the chairperson of the brand book committee. The other people on the committee were Dona Rae Morss, Gina Feltner and Muriel Chidsey.

In 1990, the Cowbelles started acknowledging lifetime members, who have been a member and have contributed to the organization throughout the years. The lifetime members are listed below:

1990 Helen Bray Dorthean Jorgensen

1991 Mildred Miller Mary Pape

1992 Ethel Jewett Lois Koch

1993 Ruth Budd Eileen Dockham

1994 Mabel James

1995 Caryn Bing Verla Sommers

1996 Connie McKinsey Emma Meeks

1997 Tharon Thompson

1998 Mardell Fear Jeane Murdock

1999 Marilyn McNinch

2000 Stella McKinstry Bette Hagenstein

2001 Karmen Marincic

2002 Ruth Noble Barbara Budd

2003 Margaret Mickelson

2004 none selected

2005 Grace Anderson Marj Guio

2006 Margie Thomas

2007 Barbara Pape

2008 Kathryn Briggs Wilma Shriver

2009 Anne Olson Bonnie Budd

2010 Martha Saunders Mary Arambel

2011 Hazel James Mary Fear

2012 Irene Steele Verna Walker

2013 Deanne Bradley

2014 Ann Barney Janice Jorgensen Kanski

Deanne Bradley spearheaded a committee which put together a cookbook and had it printed in 1991. The Green River Valley Cowbelles Beef Cookbook included general rules for cooking meat, a beef roasting chart, beef primal cuts, metric conversion table, steak broiling chart, and weights and measurements. The categories for the recipes provided by the Green River Valley Cowbelles were casseroles, steaks, ground beef, left-overs, sups-stews, salads, cured meat, hors d’oeuvers-dips, sauces, desserts and eat light but eat right. The following women had recipes in the cookbook:

Nancy Espenscheid

Tara Miller

Kathy Miller

Rosemary Aultman

Mardell Fear

Deanne Bradley

Naomi Pape

Bette Hagenstein

Kathryn Briggs

Barbara Budd

Bonnie Budd

Dona Rae Morss

Wilma Shriver

Lucy Mack

Jimmie Virostko

Michelle Pape

Mabel James

Barbara Pape

Debbie Vickrey

Melita Snow

Verla Sommers

Marilyn McNinch

Bette Thompson

Jo Mack

Verna Walker

Helen Bray

Kay Malkowski

Jeane Murdock

Mae Mickelson

Beth Bray

Tharon Greenwood

Bethany Walker

Mary Fear

Karmen Marincic

Jannean James

Anne Olson

Ena Olson

Kathy Bright

Mandy Norris

Tayton Guio

Hannah Osborn

In 1992, the Cowbelles started selling scarves with brands on them. Each of the 76 members was given one free brand on the scarf. There is a cowboy scene and Green River Cowbelles also on the scarf. Kathy Miller was in charge of getting the scarves made and on sale.

Holly Davis Green and Nancy Espenscheid presented Ag in the Classroom starting in 1992 and 1993. Holly and Nancy did this through 2001. In 1994, Susie Blaha set up an ag lesson for each month, called “Cowbelles go to School,” with Arlinda McLoughlin in the Pinedale Elementary School. In 2003, Kathy Raper did some Ag in the Classroom, and in 2005, the Cowbelles did several things for Ag in the Classroom at Big Piney and Pinedale.

Karla Sullivan and the Green River Valley Cowbelles started serving Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches at the Sublette County Fair in 1998. This has been a very successful money maker and the people look forward to the sandwiches. It is a great deal of work. In 2008, Bob Beierman, DVM asked the Cowbelles to serve the buyers’ luncheon on Sunday before the 4-H livestock auction to thank the buyers from the previous year. Bob supplied the meat and barbequed it while the Cowbelles prepared the potatoes, drink, bread and dessert.

The Green River Valley Cowbelles changed their name to the Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattle Women in 2000.

Sharlene Lozier had learned in 2006 about the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Wool Growers, Wyoming Rural Electric Association and Wyoming Business Council recognizing Wyoming Centennial Farms and Ranches. Sharlene asked Jonita Sommers to help her find which ranches in the Green River Valley were eligible for the centennial ranch award. The Cowbelles decided to give each ranch a plaque and then send their forms on to the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office. There were twenty ranches out of the twenty-six centennial ranches that decided to be recognized at the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s banquet in March 2007, and they are listed below:

Kip and Bonnie Alexander—The Alexander Ranch—1898

The Guio Family—Alsade Limited—1903

The Dan Budd and David Budd Family—The Dan H. Budd and Sons Ranch—1898

The Espenscheid Family—The Budd Ranches—1904

The Conwell Family—The Conwell-Gildea Ranch—1902

The Frank Fear Family—The Frank Fear Cattle Company—1904

The Smyth Family—The Gilligan Ranch—1897

The Wardell and Hill Family—The Hill and Hill Ranch—1904

The Jensen Family—The Jensen Ranch—1903

The Lozier Family—Lozier’s Box “R” Ranch—1898

The Luman Family—The Luman Ranch—1903

The Robert M. Miller Family—Miller Land and Livestock—1897

William and Martin Murdock—Murdock Land and Livestock—1897

The Stan Murdock Family—Murdock Cattle Company—1899

The Richard R. Noble Family—The Noble Ranch—1896

The Charles C. and DeeAnn B Price Family—The Charles C. and DeeAnn Price Ranch—1899

The Sommers Family—The Sommers Ranch—1907

The Thompson Family—Cross Lazy Two Land and Livestock—1902

The Wardell Family—The Wardell Ranch—1901; 1906

The Hunt Family---The Herscheler Ranch—1888

In 2009, two more ranches decided to be recognized and they are listed below:

Milleg Family—Milleg Ranch Partnership—1897

Carroll Noble Family—Cora Valley Angus Ranch—1896

In 2010, two more ranches were recognized and they are listed below:

Pape Family—Pape Ranches Inc.—1905

Pam Chrisman—Rocking Chair Ranch—1908

Campbell Family--Campbell Cattle Company--1913

Richie Family--Ellen Richie and Sons--1913

Max, Jr. "Joe" and Dianne Boroff--Thompson Ranch--1914

The following is a list of the 101 women who have been officers of the Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattle Women from 1969-2010:

Year President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Historian Parliamentarian Auditor

1969-70 Marge Thomas Dorothy Marincic Dele Ball………………………………..

1970-71 Dorothy Marincic Mary Pfisterer Mary Caroline Jorgensen……… Mayme Devine Verla Sommers Tharon Greenwood

1971-72 Mary Pfisterer Tharon Greenwood Margie Buyers……………………… Margie Thomas Marian Mrak Mary Fear

1972-73 Tharon Greenwood Marian Mrak Carol Copeland……………………… Ellanora Pfisterer Marian Mrak Mary Pape

1973-74 Marian Mrak Mary Fear Karmen Marincic…………………….. Eileen Dockham Toni Dapra Ona Gurney

1974-75 Mary Fear Ellanora Pfisterer Anne Olson……………………………… Elva Marincic Barbara Pape Emma Meeks

1975-76 Ellanora Pfisterer Margaret Mickelson Vera Hittle Barbara Pape Marilyn McNinch Betty Fear DeAnne Bradley

1976-77 Margaret Mickelson Eileen Dockham Marilyn McNinch Kathryn Briggs Barbara Pape Mardell Fear Martha Saunders

1977-78 Eileen Dockham Mary Caroline Jorgensen Martha Saunders Bette Thompson Janice Kanski Mary Pfisterer Elva Marincic

1978-79 Mary Caroline Jorgensen Marilyn McNinch Hazel James Barbara Budd Helen Bray Nancy Kidd DeAnne Bradley

1979-80 Marilyn McNinch Karmen Marincic Nancy Kidd Kathryn Briggs Martha Saunders Bette Thompson Ruth Wilson

1980-81 Karmen Marincic Martha Saunders Barbara Pape Jane Mickelson DeAnne Bradley Lauri Latta Becky Thompson

1981-82 Martha Saunders Bette Thompson Kay Malkowski Donna Steele Mabel James Mardell Fear Beth Bray

1982-83 Bette Thompson Barbara Pape Beth Bray Muriel Chidsey Mary Arambel Wilma Shriver Donna Steele

1983-84 Barbara Pape Muriel Chidsey Kathryn Briggs Toni Dapra Mardell Fear Nancy Kidd Anne Olson

1984-85 Muriel Chidsey Mardell Fear Wilma Shriver Helen Bray Ruth Noble DeAnne Bradley Virginia Feltner

1985-86 Mardell Fear Kathryn Briggs Lauri Latta DeAnne Bradley Gina Feltner Linda Sims Dona Rae Morss

1986-87 Kathryn Briggs Hazel James SusieHiggins Dona Rae Morss Debbie Marincic Tara Miller Josephine Mack

1987-88 Hazel James Anne Olson Ruby Wardell Darlene Calvert Ruth Wilson Kay Jensen Ena Olson

1988-89 Anne Olson Wilma Shriver Jeanne Lockwood Dona Rae Morss Verla Sommers Kay Jensen Carol Copeland

1989-90 Wilma Shriver Dona Rae Morss Penny Chrisman Jeannean James Lois Koch Tharon Greenwood Lucy Mack

1990-91 Dona Rae Morss DeAnne Bradley Kay Jensen Michelle Pape Lucy Mack Julie Lee Ena Olson

1991-92 DeAnne Bradley Kay Malkowski Kathy Miller Lucy Mack Mabel James Wilma Shriver Martha Saunders

1992-93 Kay Malkowski Lucy Mack Kathy Miller Naomi Pape Melita Snow Carol Copeland Marj Guio

1993-94 Kathy Miller Barbara Budd Debbie Shriver Naomi Pape Dona Rae Morss Stella McKinstry Beth Bray

1994-95 Barbara Budd Suzy Michnevich Mary Thompson Grace Anderson Bonnie Budd Lauri Latta Rosemary Aultman

1995-96 Suzy Michnevich Bev Frier/B. J. Griffin Beth Bray Suzy Greenwood Rosemary Aultman Wilma Shriver Debbie Vickrey

1996-97 Betty Jo Griffin Ann Barney Beth Bray Suzy Greenwood JoAnn Schroeder Beckie Richie Lisa Copeland

1997-98 Ann Barney Beckie Richie Becky Downs Julie Jensen Grace Anderson Suzy Michnevich Lisa Copeland

1998-99 Beckie Richie Margaret Guio Lynnda Norby Carla Sullivan Kay Malkowski Naomi Pape Teresa Barney

1999-2000 Lynnda Norby Michelle Pape Carla Sullivan Lisa Copeland Ann Barney Bonnie Budd Teresa Barney

2000-01 Michelle Pape Carla Sullivan Becky Downs Sharlene Lozier Jeane Soumie Kristy Bousman Naomi Pape

2001-02 Carla Sullivan Becky Downs Sherri Bohleen Sharlene Lozier Lynnda Norby Renae Lozier Kristy Bousman

2002-03 Becky Downs Renae Lozier Kim Owens Sandy Wright Teresa Barney no one Michelle Pape

2003-04 Renae Lozier Rita Thomas Kim Owens Sandy Wright Beckie Richie no one Michelle Pape

2004-05 Rita Thomas Sandy Wright Becky Downs Ann Barney Nancy Espenscheid no one no one

2005-06 Rita Thomas Sandy Wright Becky Downs Ann Barney Nancy Espenscheid no one Beth Bray

2006-07 Rita Thomas Sandy Wright Becky Downs Ann Barney Nancy Espenscheid no one no one

2007-08 Sandy Wright Jonita Sommers Sherri Bohleen Ann Barney Kim Owens no one no one

2008-09 Sandy Wright Jonita Sommers Sherri Bohleen Ann Barney Kim Owens no one no one

2009-10 Sandy Wright Jonita Sommers Sherri Bohleen Ann Barney Tawnya Miller no one no one

2010-11 Sandy Wright Jonita Sommers Sherri Bohleen Ann Barney Tawnya Miller no one Sharlene Lozier

2011-12 Sandy Wright Jonita Sommers Sherri Bohleen Ann Barney Tawnya Miller no one Sharlene Lozier

2012-13 Sandy Wright Jonita Sommers Starla Kirkwood Terrie Springman Tawnya Miller no one Michelle Pape

2013-14 Jonita Sommers Sandy McGinnis Starla Kirkwood Terrie Springman Kailey Barlow no one Michelle Pape

2013-14 Jonita Sommers Sandy McGinnis Brenda Carnahan Terrie Springman Kailey Barlow no one Michelle Pape

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download