Heritage Court 2025
Lady Diane Cordes
Diane found the Wood River Valley after a three month cross country bicycle trip in 1975 and never left. Born on the east coast, Diane lived in many places growing up as the youngest of three in an Air Force family. With a brother already here, she and her husband Jeff, settled in right before Christmas, 1975.
Diane’s first job here was gluing goggles for Scott USA. She moved upward within Scott and, with a college degree in chemistry, worked in the R and D division until Scott USA moved to Utah. Then Diane took her self-professed “love for numbers” to several other organizations in the Valley, working as office administrator/operations manager for Nancy Taylor Stonington, the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce, Wood River Veneer and finally Conrad Brothers construction. Diane and Jeff built a home in Hailey in 1984 and have two children and four grandchildren; Laura Gvozdas and family now living in Hailey and James and family living in Bend, Oregon.
Diane is an outdoor gal. She tries to be outside, enjoying the recreational opportunities that surround her, every day. She nordic skis and snowshoes in the winter and bikes and hikes in the summer. Her early volunteerism was outdoors as well. Diane started up and coached her daughter’s youth softball team, taking them to tournaments. Then she co-created the Summer Youth Program in 1995 in Hailey; fundraising and running the program for many years. As it grew larger every year, eventually BCRD incorporated it into their programs.
Moving indoors, Diane was on the Hailey Library Board for 8 years and helped get the bond passed that allowed the Hailey library to purchase and renovate their current space at the corner of Croy and Main Street. She took her numbers acumen and helped Wendy Jaquet during her many years in the State Legislature, serving as her, and the Blaine County Democrats, treasurer. Diane is an active member of the Hailey chapter of PEO and now she is on the Board of The Senior Connection serving as their treasurer.
Diane says, she appreciates the small town feel of Hailey; “it’s nice to easily run into someone you know when you are out and about”. She also appreciates the public lands that surround the Valley, providing varied opportunities for recreation year round. Diane says she and Jeff, now married 51 years, with grandchildren here and not far away in Bend, just never thought about leaving. This is home.
Lady Jeanne Cassell
Jeanne Cassell has been an active resident in the Wood River Valley for fifty years.
Born in California, she grew up on a peach ranch near Fresno. After earning her Master’s degree at Stanford University, she, her husband Bill, and their three children moved to Idaho in 1974 so Bill could become President of the College of Idaho. Within that first Idaho year, they discovered the charms of the Wood River Valley and bought a small condo in Sun Valley. Jeanne taught English and was a counselor at Middleton High School, but they spent as much time as they could here, hiking, fishing, and cross country skiing. They continued to spend holidays and vacations in Sun Valley, though Bill’s job took them elsewhere. In 1995 Jeanne and Bill retired and moved to a home in Ketchum, where she still lives. And Jeanne really got busy contributing back to the community she loves.
In 2000 Jeanne was Board President of the Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and led the capital campaign to build the first permanent shelter for abused women in Blaine County. Her original work ensures The Advocates is still an important part of our social services network. Jeanne was honored by the Chamber of the Commerce as the Ketchum/Sun Valley Citizen of the Year in 2002 primarily for this work.
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden has had a special place in Jeanne’s heart for over thirty years. In 2004 she helped build The Garden of Infinite Compassion which was designed as the perfect place for the Dalai Lama to install his Prayer Wheel. Jeanne’s knowledge of the trails and wildflowers in the surrounding mountains led her to start and lead for nearly 20 years the popular wildflower walks. She still participates today. Jeanne currently serves as the president of the Garden’s Ambassadors Council. Jeanne is a charter member of the Wood River Women’s Foundation. This organization has grown from its original 30 to over 300 members and is the dominant local benefactor for local nonprofits. As a member of the Education Committee for many years, she helped start the State of the Valley Forum.
For over 30 years Jeanne has made significant and consistent contributions to the Sun Valley Arts Center, serving as President of the Board in 2005. Since arriving in Sun Valley Jeanne has been an active member of St. Thomas Church and actively participates in many of their community outreach programs.
Jeanne and Bill led the capital campaign to renovate and expand the church in 2001. For many years Jeanne sang in the Caritas Choral. She has been making a difference for half a century!
Lady Laurie Fiscus
Laurie Fiscus is a proud fourth-generation resident of Carey, with roots that run deep in Idaho ranching.
Born in Hailey on the second floor of the historic Fox Building, she grew up on her family’s ranch in Carey, where her love of the land and animals was nurtured. Her family, the Bairds, have long been part of the ranching history of the valley—raising feed for cattle, sheep, and horses. After graduating high school, Laurie attended a semester at Idaho State University in Pocatello, but it was the pull of ranch life that called her back. She loved working beside her father—baling hay, raising quarter horses, and tending to 1,000 to 1,200 head of sheep. She especially remembers the “bummers”—orphaned lambs—which she cared for with unmatched dedication.
Ranching was her way of life when Laurie met her husband Theron in 1982, through a mutual friend who was dating Theron’s brother. Theron had moved to Picabo in 1980, and by 1987, he had jumped wholeheartedly into ranch life, taking over management of Laurie’s family ranch. Together, they built not just a business but a life rooted in hard work, devotion, and community spirit.
In addition to her life on the ranch, Laurie built a decades-long career as an office manager for several car dealerships in the Wood River Valley. She spent 38 years with Neyman Chevrolet, then went on with Sutton & Sons, Wood River Motors and Goode Motors. Even after retiring, she stayed busy, working part-time in the Carey School lunchroom for three years. Laurie and Theron raised three daughters: Amanda, Amy, and Lindsay. Amanda lives in Washington, Amy resides in Twin Falls and Lindsay lives in Boise. Lindsey’s oldest child is now stepping up to carry on the ranching tradition, ensuring the family legacy continues. Laurie is a proud grandmother to Ethan and Andrew (Amy’s sons) and Layne, Nicole, Riley, and Rayce (Lindsay’s children). Her greatest joy comes from her family—especially her grandkids.
Laurie has dedicated much of her life to volunteering. A 4-H member turned leader for 15 years, she followed in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents in supporting youth in agriculture. She has served on the Blaine County Fair Board since 2008 and continues to support the fair and 4-H livestock sales encouraging the next generation. Together, Laurie and Theron founded the John Adamson Memorial Car Show in honor of a dear friend, a community event now in its 12th year. Laurie has also been a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1996. She served as page for the Idaho Department Auxiliary President in 2000 and 2001, helping with everything from paperwork to event coordination at the statewide summer conventions.
When asked what drives her, Laurie simply says: her family, her faith, her love for animals, and her community. Like Barbara Mandrell sang, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”—a phrase that perfectly fits Laurie’s lifelong devotion to the outdoors-hunting, fishing and glamping, and the simple, meaningful life she has lead. “It’s a wonderful community,” she says, “where people still show up for each other.” The Picabo/Carey Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize her legacy and celebrate her lifelong contributions to the community.
Lady Lorna Kolash
Lorna Kolash has called the Wood River Valley home since 1976, but her
journey began on a farm near Huron, South Dakota. There, she grew up with her parents, sister, and brother and attended a one-room schoolhouse where all eight grades shared a single room! After high school, she worked at a drug store, while fate was already aligning her path with that of Randy Kolash. Randy, originally from the Wood River Valley, came to South Dakota on a hunting trip and met Lorna through a mutual friend. That connection led to a late-night drive and a meeting at a nightclub—an encounter that sparked a lifelong partnership.
The couple first settled in Rapid City before eventually moving west to Idaho. Randy’s family had ties in Caldwell and connections to Amoco Oil. When the Kolashes arrived in the Wood River Valley, they purchased the Amoco Oil gas station in Ketchum-where the Kentwood Lodge stands today. They made their first home in a Warm Springs condo, and Lorna began working at The Sheep Shack—selling sheep skin coats made in Boise.
Since then, she has built a rich life in the valley and has lived in the same home in Bellevue for decades. Together, Lorna and Randy raised two daughters, both of whom still live in the area. Their oldest, Anna and her husband Greg Edwards have three sons—Parker, Eli, and Grady. Their younger daughter, Sarah and Ryan Stavros have one daughter. Addison, now seven, is already learning the ropes in the kitchen by grandma Lorna’s side.
Lorna’s four decade career in catering has left a lasting legacy. As founder of Lorna’s Catering, she served everything from intimate local gatherings to corporate events and private inflight meals for Sun Valley Aviation. Her food became a staple at the Sun Valley Writer’s Conference, the Sun Valley Museum of Art, and countless holiday parties. Though she officially retired in 2025 Lorna’s passion for bringing people together through food continues to shine.
Beyond her professional life, Lorna has been a dedicated member of her community. She served as Chief Judge of Elections, volunteered as a homeroom mom and with the Girl Scouts, and assisted with numerous activities at the Catholic Church in Hailey. She managed the snack bar at Rotarian for four years, giving her time to support the local skiing. Her community contributions also include catering events for the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, often donating hors d’oeuvres and hosting gatherings made in her commercial kitchen—“where the magic happens.”
Lorna’s passions are rooted in her faith, family, and service. She finds joy in preparing meals for her parish, gardening, baking, and canning. When asked what she loves most about the Wood River Valley, she says it’s the people—friends old and new, and the rich history. And, of course, the mountains.
It is no surprise that the Blaine County Historical Society nominated Lorna for the 2025 Heritage Court.