Friday, OCTOBER 31, 2025 |
Photo – Wyoming flag – Bigfoot99 file photo
Governor Mark Gordon has ordered both the U.S and Wyoming flags to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise on Monday to mourn the loss of former Secretary of State Kathy Karpan.
Karpan was born in Rock Springs and later moved with her family to Rawlins. She lived much of her adult life in Cheyenne, serving as Wyoming Secretary of State from 1987 to 1995. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon Law School.
Karpan delighted in showing guests to her home the photograph of her shaking hands with President John F. Kennedy when JFK visited Laramie on September 25, 1963.
President Bill Clinton appointed Karpan to serve as the first female director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
Karpan passed away at the age of 83.
The governor ordered both the U.S and Wyoming flags to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise on Monday, November 3rd, the day of interment, and remain at half-staff until sundown.
