EVANSTON — Uinta County Clerk Lana Wilcox celebrated her retirement on Friday, July 28, after serving the county for a little more than 20 years. 

Wilcox became county clerk seven years ago and would have come up for re-election in 2018 had she decided to run. However, as her fight with cancer has escalated, Wilcox has chosen to step down in order to rest and to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren, with whom she wants to create more memories. 

“I’m ready to retire, get some rest and do some things with my family,” she said. 

When asked to reflect on her legacy, Wilcox directed attention instead to the commitment of all the officials and departments to the county and its well-being, which requires a strong team. 

“The thing I’ve tried to do most is have good working relationships with all those department heads and elected officials ... so that we could run things smoothly,” she said. “So I feel good about that. I feel like I’ve been able to have some good relationships, and I think that helps, you know? To have people you can talk to, and you might not always agree, but there’s conversation.”

Friends and coworkers gave Wilcox accolades at the retirement party, noting her courage, commitment, work ethic and sense of humor and fun. 

“She’s been our sweetheart,” commissioner Craig Welling said. “... We’ve appreciated her strength as well as her initiative to do things correctly.”

Linda Biffert remembered many fun times with Wilcox — lip-syncing to a Beatles song, learning that Wilcox is not as quiet and shy as she lets on at first. Neither is Wilcox easily intimidated, Biffert said, perhaps because of her background working for generals at Hill Air Force Base.

Biffert said she also enjoyed serving on many committees with Wilcox, describing her as dependable and full of common sense but never stodgy.

“When things would get too serious, she would always come up with a good joke,” she said. “... To me, I think that the biggest legacy she has left is making the county clerk’s office accessible in that she was approachable.” 

Susan Dasher and Angie Fessler remembered many years of friendship and of working side-by-side with Wilcox. 

“She has shown how to work through challenges and struggles with grace,” Fessler said. 

During the party, the county commissioners presented Wilcox with a glass trophy and shared their appreciation for her, talking about how she kept them on the right track during her time as clerk. 

Wilcox had to fight back tears as she thanked everyone for coming and gave special mention of her dad and stepmom who made the trip to come to the party, as well as to her “partner in crime,” Uinta County Treasurer Terry Brimhall. 

Carbon County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett also gave Wilcox high praise (courage, dedication, commitment to fighting for Uinta County) and a throw that says, “The Clerks always have your back.”

Immediately after the party came to an end, Wilcox and her deputy clerk, Amanda Hutchinson, headed over to the Uinta County Republican Party’s meeting at the library, where they discussed nominations for Wilcox’s replacement. 

First, though, party chair Karl Allred thanked Wilcox for her years of service, becoming emotional at times. On behalf of the party, he gave Wilcox a picture with a message of thanks on the back as well as a statue of an eagle on a flag. 

Since Wilcox is an elected official and has stepped down with one year remaining in her term, the party was tasked to submit three names to the commissioners, who will then appoint the replacement. 

Two people — Hutchinson and Chris Katzl — submitted resumes, so to comply with the statute, the party named Victoria Allred as the third person (however, the commissioners will be told she does not want the job). Katzl was unable to attend the meeting, so those at the meeting questioned Hutchinson about her background and qualifications. 

Wilcox gave a high recommendation for Hutchinson, who has been her deputy since Wilcox first took office. Uinta County Attorney Loretta Howieson also gave Hutchinson high praise. 

During the questioning, Hutchinson elaborated on her management experience; communication skills; ability to read and understand statutes; ability to handle duties involved with elections, serve as clerk to the county commissioners and serve as Uinta County’s chief budget officer; manage grants, a large payroll system, records, property and liability insurance; her ability to travel and work nights and weekends; and comfort working with the current staff. 

She also declared that she intends to run for the office in 2018. 

The Uinta County Commissioners will officially select Wilcox’s replacement for the remainder of her term at today’s meeting.