Rick and Wanda Wheeler are parade marshals

Rick and Wanda Wheeler are Custer natives who have well over 100 years of combined life spent in Custer, and seemingly just as many years being involved in the community, including Gold Discovery Days activities.

It’s only fitting then, that the Wheelers, who have been married for 47 years, have been named the parade marshals for this year’s Gold Discovery Days parade—made even more special by the fact that Gold Discovery Days will celebrate its 100th anniversary this weekend.

“Rick and I were really surprised and honored to be chosen as parade marshals,” Wanda said. “We have done a lot of volunteering with local organizations over the years so it was gratifying to realize that others noticed and appreciated our contributions to the community.”

Wanda’s first participation in Gold Discovery Days was at the age of 4 when she was a star in the Pageant of Paha Sapa.

“Little girls at that age were moon beams if they were fair-haired and stars if they were dark-haired so I was a star,” she said. “I then worked my way up through all the flowers until I was in my teens and summer jobs took precedence over the pageant.”

Wanda said as a child Gold Discovery Days was the highlight of her summer.

“We loved taking part in the pageant and couldn’t wait for the carnival to come to town,” she said.

Rick remembers participating in Gold Discovery Days as far back is the 1970s when he rode on floats. He said his family, which includes daughter Jenny and son Austin (along with five grandchildren) have tried to participate in Gold Discovery Days every year in some form or fashion.

“We have always been strong supporters of it,” he said.

In adulthood after Rick started French Creek Supply the Wheelers had commercial entries in the parade. These days the couple mostly enjoys seeing former schoolmates who come to Custer for class reunions during the celebration.

Rick says that’s his favorite part of the weekend.

“Just getting together, reunions...going out and seeing people who you haven’t seen in a long time,” he said.

An added bonus for Rick, a class of 1973 graduate, is that his class will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

The two have volunteered in about every way imaginable in Custer, and many will remember Rick from his time as a firefighter on the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, as well as his time as the Custer County Sheriff. Both now stay busy as volunteers for the Custer County Historical Society and 1881 Courthouse Museum, with Wanda having a hand in updating and creating several exhibits, which includes an exhibit about the origins and history of Gold Discovery Days. A few years ago she enlisted the help of friends who grew up in Custer to help create the exhibit.

The group put together a calendar featuring Gold Discovery Days parades through the years, and funds raised from the sale of the calendar were earmarked for the exhibit.

In addition, many negatives from Vern Carroll’s extensive collection of Gold Discovery Days photos from the late ’60s and early ’70s were digitized and printed, and slide shows were created with other photos in the archives. Two local musicians (Roy Hendrickson and Keith Burden) re-recorded original music from the celebration to accompany the pictures. There is a sampling of original costumes for the Pageant of Paha Sapa on display as well.

This year Wanda assisted in the creation of a 100th Gold Discovery Days calendar for 2023, the proceeds from which benefit the museum.

Rick called being named parade marshal humbling, saying he couldn’t believe he and his wife were nominated.

“We were very pleased. It’s a big thing,” he said. “What a community we live in. The community is very tight knit. We are very grateful to be here and live here.”