WALLACE — For the second straight year, the team from Mountain West Bank made the short trip up Nine Mile Road to care for Wallace’s historic Nine Mile Cemetery. 

Each year in June, MWB sets aside a day from its regular banking duties to give back to the community. Over the years, their efforts have included painting the senior center and building playground equipment at Osburn’s Lions Park. 

Last year, branch manager Gina Doerschel led her team to the cemetery, where they spent the day mowing, raking and clearing overgrowth. The experience revealed just how much work remained, so this year, instead of using her staff and a few volunteers, Doerschel brought in a busload of helpers. 

“The reason we continue to land there is because we can’t do it in just one day,” Doerschel said. “Even once a year will never be enough, but we’ll just continue to tackle new sections every year and just keep trying to make a difference.” 

The cemetery is divided into several sections, each with its own character. Doerschel’s plan is to restore it one section at a time.

Nestled along the side of Nine Mile Canyon, the cemetery is one of the most scenic — and often overlooked — spots in Shoshone County. Many don’t realize it’s a cemetery until they see it for themselves. Yet, according to records, it’s the final resting place for more than 4,000 people. 

The MWB team follows one simple rule during cleanup efforts: leave the headstones untouched. While this adds some complexity to their work, Doerschel and her team are committed to leaving the cemetery better than they found it. 

“We chose this project because the cemetery needed some love,” Doerschel said. “It’s an honor for us to be allowed, and its residents deserve some much-needed attention.”