Forest Service welcomes Rundell as information receptionist at Lincoln Ranger District office

After 34 years as a clerk at Mountain View Co-op, Emily Rundell is happy to be the Lincoln Ranger District's new information receptionist. Her duties, as the first person most people meet when visiting the Lincoln Ranger Station, include answering phones, office management and providing information to tourists and locals about the District.

Rundell was scheduled to start work there Jan. 7, but due to the government shutdown, she didn't begin her new role until Feb.4.

"After 34 years at Mountain View Co-op, I just decided that I needed a change. I was actually going to retire, but I applied for this job in September to replace Lisa Roberson who left due to illness. I guess I wasn't meant to retire," Rundell joked.

A longtime resident of Lincoln, Rundell has been an active part of the community in many ways over the years. She has worked as an EMT for the Ambulance service, volunteered for the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department, served on the PTA along with other positions in the school district and volunteered for the annual Race to the Sky sled dog race.

Rundell's late husband Dan, who passed away in 2015, manned the Stonewall lookout for the Forest Service for 13 years. Emily is happy to now be an official part of the Forest Service family she has come to know.

"I just love my job, and I am excited for what it is going to bring," she said.

Originally from the East Coast, Rundell has called Lincoln home since 1982.

"I wasn't born in Montana, but I got here as quick as I could," she said.