Janet Vogler

Janet Vogler passed away peacefully at home in Cheyenne, Wyoming on July 21, 2025.  Mertice Janet (Jan) Helsell was born to Lulu Mertice (Warrick) and Charles Almer Helsell on February 5, 1932 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was raised in Flossmoor, Illinois south of Chicago, along with her five siblings. Jan attended high school at Faulkner School for Girls and then went to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois for a year where she majored in music. Jan transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder to finish her degree program and became an excellent pianist. While in Boulder, she met James (Jim) Berton Vogler. They married on June 11, 1952 just prior to Jim's service as a First Lieutenant in the Navy. 

 After leaving the service, Jan and Jim moved to Kimball, Nebraska, where Jim had been raised. They had three children: Robin Lynn (Bigfork, MT), James Eric (deceased) and Chris Andrea Vogler Bass (Cheyenne, WY). They owned and operated several grocery stores and six hydroponic greenhouses. Jan taught piano lessons and was a Mary Kay consultant for many years in Kimball. They were members of the First United Methodist Church where Jan was a long time member of the church choir and bell choir. Jan was also a 50 year member of PEO Chapter DT in Kimball.

Jan was a true animal lover and was quick to lend a hand or rescue animals in need. She raised and cared for many dogs over the years and happily provided doggy daycare for many of her friends. She loved to play bridge and later learned to play mahjong. She had a huge heart and loved her family and her friends, which she made easily and kept close for a lifetime. Jan had a good sense of humor and was quick to share a laugh with others. 

Jim and Jan moved to Cheyenne in 2022 to a retirement community. Jim died in 2023. Jan is survived by her children Robin (Nelson) and Chris (Tom), her grandchildren Riley (Lindsay) of Cheyenne and Erin (Joe) of Westminster, CO.  Jan also had two grandchildren, Blakley and Blaire of Cheyenne.  If you wish to contribute any type of memorial, please donate to an animal organization in her memory.  Jan would love that.