ProRodeo Sports News - September 20, 2019

Often, Reg took stock to one rodeo and

in 2004. Liz and Reg were inducted into the 2008 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 2013, Liz received the American Cowboy Culture Award as Pioneer Woman at the Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, Texas. Liz was preceded in death by her husband, Reg; parents Chesley and Irene Russell; sister, Margie Chisholm and husband, Branum; niece, Suzanne Patton; and Reg Kesler’s children Janet Clifton and Greg Kesler, and grandchild Jamie Clifton. Liz is survived by her niece, Phyllis Jones; Kasey, Brian, Asa and Roxy Byrne; Shane Patton; Jamie, Suzy, Rita Kenny, DJ Patton; Becca, Reg, Kaia, Leo; and numerous cousins and lifelong friends; Reg Kesler’s children in Canada daughters Jeanne Kesler Cesar (Lee), LeeAnne Lane (Keith), Pat Kesler Norton (Gary); Canadian grandchildren Mark Cesar (Ashley), Jesse Cesar (Amanda), Angie Cesar Nelson (Curtis), Allan Norton (Clarissa), TimNorton (Pam), Steven Norton, Richard Norton (Michelle), Loni Norton Snow (Todd), Lori Norton Fowler (Sam), Christy Lane Boot (Henry), Lydsay Lane, Randy Brauer (Susanne), Wendy Fox, Shawna Tanner (Don), Duane Kesler (Margo), and Berva Dawn Kesler (Roy); and numerous great-grandchildren Memorials should be sent to Clay County Memorial Hospital Foundation, 310 W. South St., Henrietta, TX 76365; Clay County Historical Society, Inc., PO Box 483, Henrietta, TX 76365; or the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, 101 ProRodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.

PASSAGES

Liz headed to put on a second.

Reg and Liz were instrumental in starting the PRCA Circuit Finals in 1987 in Pocatello, Idaho. Liz was a secretary for the first circuit finals held in Montana. Liz also taught others to be rodeo secretaries. She and other wives of rodeo leaders started the Ladies Fashion Show at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in 1967, with proceeds going to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Liz and Reg became involved with the Cowboy Reunion, which was held during the final days of the NFR. The proceeds from the event were given to the JCCF, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, and the Rodeo Historical Society. Liz was also a founding member of H.A.N.D.S., a 50-member group of rodeo women dedicated to helping rodeo families who have health problems, loss of a loved one or other disasters. When Liz’s mother, Irene Russell, became ill, Liz and Reg moved to the ranch in Henrietta and Liz cared for her mother until Irene died at 98. While on a business trip to Canada in 2001, Reg was killed in an automobile accident. He was 82. Among her many interests, Liz was active in Clay County and became one of the founders of the Clay County Historical Society and became the chairperson for the renovation of the museum in Henrietta. She was the 2013 Outstanding Senior Citizen of Clay County. Reg and Liz’s bucking horseThree Bars was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame

ELIZABETH ANN (LIZ) KESLER

Liz Kesler, wife of the late ProRodeo Hall of Fame stock contractor Reg Kesler, passed away Sept. 7 in Henrietta, Texas. She was 93. Kesler went to Bluegrove School until her last two years when she attended Henrietta High School. She became Assistant County Superintendent of Schools for eight years. She attended Draughan Business School and later went to work for Standard Oil. Kesler’s main love was rodeo and the people in it. She and good friend and barrel racer June Bull began to secretary and time rodeos. They worked rodeos all over the country. Liz often worked for Everett Colborn, who had some of the biggest rodeos in the country. In 1966, Liz met Reg Kesler, a three- time Canadian Champion All-Around Cowboy who had become a rodeo producer. They married in Bozeman, Mont., in 1971 and lived in Missoula, Mont., and Rosemary, Alberta, Canada. They produced rodeos in Denver, Houston, San Antonio, Idaho, Montana and Canada. Kesler

Days of ’56 Rodeo a community staple

PRCA NOTES One applicant for the Sowing Good Deeds initiative is the Days of ’56 Rodeo in Ponca City, Neb. The Days of '56 Rodeo Association has been an active organization within the Ponca, Neb., community for more than 50 years. The association’s members strive to keep this rodeo a major part of the community's treasured traditions by contributing their time, effort and resources where they are needed. From donating trophies for the local county fair, helping with fundraising efforts for the town's library and awarding scholarships to graduating youth, the association is there to lend a hand. The rodeo committee has been involved with raising awareness for breast cancer for the past 15 years and donated more than $50,000 to the local cancer center.

As a proud sponsor of the PRCA, AGCO® Corporation, through its brands Hesston® and Massey Ferguson, recognize that PRCA-sanctioned

For all things rodeo, go to www.prorodeo.com

rodeos contribute significant support for local, regional and national charities and organizations. These charitable efforts by rodeo committees are making a positive impact on members of the various communities. Hesston and Massey Ferguson, through its Sowing Good Deeds initiative, want to raise awareness of these local efforts and reward one PRCA committee each year whose impact goes above and beyond. One rodeo committee will be chosen to win a Massey Ferguson® tractor valued at $35,000 for the good work they do.

From a rodeo that was a humble endeavor for a handful of local businessmen, to a rodeo that has grown to be one of the top rodeos in Nebraska, the Days of '56 has been successful because of the hard-working people who have cared so much to keep it alive for more than 50 years. Over the years, the major challenges the Days of '56 has faced have mostly been financial. Despite some hard times, the Days of '56 Rodeo Association is known for being relentless, diligent and making its rodeo better each year.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/20/2019

ProRodeo.com

80