Discovering Ann Schroll Through Wyoming Eyes
I first came across Ann Schroll while tracing the threads of Wyoming political families and their quiet anchors. What struck me immediately was her role as more than a senator’s wife. She stands as a living testament to resilience, grace, and deep roots in the Cowboy State. Born on May 10 1930 in Greybull Wyoming she grew up in a place where the wind shapes character as much as the land. Her early life tested her with loss yet forged a foundation that would support a 70 year marriage a thriving family and lasting community impact.
Roots in Greybull and the Move to Laramie
Ann Schroll was born in a few thousand-person town. Her father died of a brain tumor in her junior year of high school. That single occurrence changed everything. Her mother moved the family to Laramie so the kids could continue school. Ann graduated high school and pursued higher education. The University of Wyoming awarded her a BA in 1953. Her collegiate years shaped her future. She briefly taught in Cheyenne for a year after graduating. However, marriage changed her course.
Meeting Alan and the Spark of a Lifetime Partnership
At the University of Wyoming Ann Schroll crossed paths with Alan K. Simpson. He had noticed her years earlier at a basketball game but their connection deepened on campus. They married on June 21 1954. That date marked the beginning of a union that spanned more than seven decades. Alan served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956 with postings at Fort Benning Georgia and then Germany. Ann joined him every step of the way. Their life together wove through Cody Wyoming where they raised three children while Alan built a career in law and politics. From 1979 to 1997 he represented Wyoming in the US Senate. Through those Washington years Ann kept the family grounded in Cody. She became the steady compass in the shifting winds of public service.
Family Life as the True Centerpiece
I see Ann Schroll’s family as the beating heart of her story. She and Alan created a multi generational stronghold in Cody. Their three children all chose to stay close. William Bill Simpson the eldest arrived in 1957. He followed the family path into law and now serves as a district court judge. Colin M. Simpson born on March 5 1959 pursued a similar route. He practiced law built a career in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011 and even served as Speaker from 2008 to 2010. Colin married Deborah Debbie Oakley and together they have two sons. Susan Sue Simpson Gallagher the youngest founded the Simpson Gallagher Gallery in Cody. She keeps the family flame alive through art and local history.
To make the family connections crystal clear here is a simple table of immediate relatives:
| Family Member | Relationship to Ann Schroll | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Alan K. Simpson | Husband | Married June 21 1954 died March 14 2025 at age 93 former US Senator |
| William Bill Simpson | Son | Born 1957 attorney and district court judge in Cody |
| Colin M. Simpson | Son | Born March 5 1959 attorney former Wyoming House Speaker lives in Cody |
| Susan Sue Simpson Gallagher | Daughter | Gallery owner in Cody focused on Western art and history |
| Mackenzie Mac Simpson | Grandson | Son of Colin and Deborah participates in Cody family traditions |
| Nicholas Nick Simpson | Grandson | Son of Colin and Deborah carries forward multi generational Cody roots |
This structure shows how tightly knit the clan remains. Four generations of Simpsons have played football for Cody High School. Ann Schroll often described her role as the one who helped Alan temper his early wild streak. Their marriage thrived on daily recommitment a quiet decision renewed each morning like a fresh Wyoming sunrise.
Career Highlights and Enduring Advocacy
Ann Schroll never sought fame, but her contributions are notable. After one year teaching, she focused on family and community. She passionately promoted the arts. She and Alan collected Western antiques from generations past. Her grandfather, an amateur artist, started that interest. She established and endowed the Ann Simpson Artmobile at the University of Wyoming Art Museum in the 1990s. This mobile program sends exhibits to rural areas, demonstrating how culture can reach all corners of the state.
Mental health advocacy defined her public voice. A US Senate Appropriations subcommittee heard her in 1993. She and her twin sister Nan Thorne Fogel discussed their niece Susan Thorne’s 38-year-old suicide. Personal testimony improved schizophrenia treatment and funding. Private pain became public action for Ann Schroll. Her University of Wyoming work included the Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership. Both she and Alan funded the Buffalo Bill Center and Whitney Museum of Western Art. The gallery their daughter operates and the cultural projects they financed continue their legacy.
Recent Milestones That Define the Legacy
June 2024 brought a joyful milestone. Ann Schroll and Alan celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a community ice cream social in Cody City Park. Hundreds gathered to honor their partnership. Then on March 14 2025 Alan passed at age 93. Ann stood as the beloved matriarch through the memorials. She joined her daughter Sue for a University of Wyoming campus tour soon after sharing stories that bridged generations. These moments remind me how one woman’s steady presence can hold an entire family and community together through decades of change.
The Simpson Family in Cody: A Multi Generational Bond
Cody Wyoming serves as the unchanging backdrop for the Simpsons. Ann Schroll raised her children there while Alan practiced law and entered the Wyoming Legislature. The family law firm Burg Simpson and its predecessors became a local institution. Colin and Bill both work within that tradition. Sue’s gallery sits near the Whitney Museum a hub for Western art that the family has long championed. Even the grandchildren Mackenzie and Nicholas stay rooted in Cody traditions. They carry forward the values of service sports and small town loyalty. Ann Schroll once called art a softening agent in life and politics. Her influence turned that idea into reality across museums schools and family gatherings.
FAQ
How did Ann Schroll first connect with Alan Simpson?
I learned they met at the University of Wyoming though Alan had spotted her at a basketball game years before. Their romance blossomed on campus and led to a marriage on June 21 1954 that lasted 70 years.
What was Ann Schroll’s early professional role?
She taught school for one year in Cheyenne right after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953. Family life soon became her primary focus but she channeled her educator spirit into arts programs and advocacy.
Which causes did Ann Schroll champion most visibly?
Mental health awareness and rural access to culture stand out. Her 1993 Senate testimony highlighted family struggles with schizophrenia. She also created the Ann Simpson Artmobile which delivers art exhibits to isolated Wyoming communities.
How many children and grandchildren does Ann Schroll have?
Ann Schroll raised three children: sons William and Colin plus daughter Susan. Through Colin she has two grandsons Mackenzie and Nicholas all based in Cody.
What role does art play in Ann Schroll’s family story?
Art serves as a family connector. Her grandfather’s watercolors inspired a lifelong passion. She and Alan collected pieces together and supported museums. Today her daughter’s gallery in Cody continues that tradition.
When did key family milestones occur for the Simpsons?
The couple married in 1954. Their sons were born in 1957 and 1959. Alan served in the Senate from 1979 to 1997. They marked 70 years together in June 2024 before his passing in March 2025.
Why does the Simpson family remain so tied to Cody Wyoming?
Five generations now call Cody home. From high school football to law practice and community service the town represents their shared history. Ann Schroll helped anchor that legacy through every chapter.
