MEET OUR 2026 HALL OF FAME NOMINEES
Our 2026 Inductees will be chosen from the following:

Donald G. Stearns was born February 20, 1925 to Elvis and Florence Stearns. He was raised on a ranch near Karinen SD in NW Harding County where his grandfather and father brought a lot draft horses with them when they homesteaded. They sold them for $600-$1000 a team to homesteaders. He attended grade school at Karinen and graduated from Spearfish HS in 1943. He joined the Army Air Corps and served in Texas and Arizona until the end of World War II.

He married Donna Olson when he returned to the ranch and they had seven children. They lived on the SD ranch until 1961 when they moved to Bowman ND and later to the ranch west of Bowman. After Donna’s passing in 1985, he married Ethel Waara. They lived on the ranch until 1989 when they moved to Buffalo SD.

Don started raising quarter horses in 1957 and purchased his first stallion, Sputnik I in 1959. This stallion became the foundation for what was to become one of the largest broodmare bands in the country. At one time in the early to mid-1980s, they bred 300-320 broodmares and registered more weanlings with the AQHA than any other producer. Their first ranch production sale was in 1963 and was one of the first sales of the kind in the country. The one- day and sometimes two-day sales continued until 1992.

In the early 1970’s Don and Donna’s four youngest children successfully participated in high school rodeo. During these years he worked tirelessly to promote high school rodeo in North Dakota. When a contestant would need a horse to compete on or roping steers, calves or goats to practice on, he would provide them with what they needed. When going to high school rodeos two trailers always went down the road, one with horses, the other with roping and dogging stock and goats for the goat tying event.

Don was on the Board of Directors in the SDQHA in 1961. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the NDQHA in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He served as North Dakota’s Director for the AQHA from 1972 -1990. He will be inducted into the NDQHA Hall of Fame in January, 2020. He was a founding member and president of the ND Quarter Horse Breeders Association in the early 1980’s. He was one of the first members of the ND High School Rodeo Association and served on the Board of Directors and as its president in the 1970’s. Don was a charter member of the Western SD Buckaroos and rode on the trail rides from 1966-1992.

Don liked to team rope and was active in the Bowman and Rhame ND roping clubs. He built a multi-purpose indoor arena in 1973, the first in the area. The barn was used for foaling mares in the spring as well as a venue for the annual horse sale. Team roping leagues and jackpots were held at the barn in the winter with ropers driving up to 150 miles to participate. In the spring, the high school rodeo team used the barn for practice until the weather warmed enough to move outside.

He liked to rope steers, go to rodeos and trail rides. He especially liked going to horse sales and would always take a trailer with so he could buy a horse or two to “make expenses”.

He looked forward to foaling each spring to see the fruits of his labor and was proud to present his colts to the public at the annual sales. He took thousands of pictures of his horses back before digital cameras.

Don died September 22, 1992 north of Buffalo SD.

Wayne Halvorson was born and raised in North Dakota, where his deep roots in agriculture and ranching shaped the foundation of his life and career. Growing up on his family’s ranch, Wayne learned the values of hard work and dedication from an early age. Alongside his sisters, he continues to help manage the family ranch property in North Dakota, a legacy that remains close to his heart.

From childhood, Wayne was immersed in ranch life—working cattle, helping at brandings, and developing a passion for livestock. He was active in 4-H, where he participated in livestock judging and showing cattle, and later expanded his interests to showing horses at the North Dakota State Fair. His strong involvement in agriculture continued through FFA (Future Farmers of America), where he earned the title of Star State Farmer, a recognition of his leadership and achievements in agricultural pursuits.

Wayne’s lifelong love of rodeo began when he was only eight years old, after winning his first rodeo in the event of bareback riding at the White Earth Valley Saddle Club, a well-known arena in his community. From that point on, he was hooked. Encouraged by his vocational agriculture teacher, Doug Hansen, Wayne joined the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association, competing at rodeos across the state.
As a high school competitor, Wayne excelled in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding. In 1976, he qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Sulphur, Louisiana, after winning the North Dakota State Championship in bull riding.

After high school, Wayne worked for Gary Graham at a horse training and showing facility, where he began training and showing state champion Appaloosa horses while continuing to compete in rodeo. His dedication earned him a rodeo scholarship to the University of North Dakota at Williston, where, as a freshman, he competed in saddle bronc and bull riding. By midseason, Wayne was Top 10 in the nation in collegiate bull riding. During this time, he also competed in the NDRA and in the PRCA rodeos, placing in saddle bronc riding in Scobey, Montana, and winning the bull riding in Laramie, Wyoming.

While attending college in Williston, Wayne operated his own horse training facility, where he began working with top-quality quarter horses. His growing reputation led to an opportunity to work with Tommy Mannion, one of the leading quarter horse trainers in the country, at Mannion’s renowned training and showing facility in Texas. Wayne’s career continued to flourish as he trained horses at major operations in Texas, and California, before eventually returning to North Dakota for a time. Later, he accepted a position in Oklahoma, where he established his own training and breeding operation.

For over 30 years, Wayne Halvorson has operated his successful training and breeding program in Oklahoma while continuing to manage his family’s ranch in White Earth, North Dakota.

Wayne and his wife, Rebecca Halvorson, have owned and managed Halvorson Ranch for more than 30 years. Together, they have built one of the most respected breeding and training operations in the country, standing numerous legendary stallions. Each year, the ranch bred and foaled out hundreds of mares, while maintaining around 50 halter horses in training.

Wayne and Rebecca are the proud parents of three children — Lauren Halvorson Daniels and her husband Colby Daniels, Austin Halvorson and his wife Catherine Halvorson, and Calyn Halvorson — and are blessed with three grandchildren: Carter and Elle Daniels, and Grace Ann Halvorson.

His lifelong dedication to ranching, rodeo, and horse training stands as a testament to his deep passion for the Western way of life and his enduring connection to his North Dakota roots.

Over 30 World Championships – AQHA, WCHA, PHBA, American Buckskin Association

Business:

• Manager of Diamond S Ranch – Waller, Texas
• Trainer at Swank Ranch – Thousand Oaks, California
• Partner in Loree Quarter Horses – Guthrie, Oklahoma
• Owner of Halvorson Ranch Inc. – Guthrie, Oklahoma
• AQHA Director of Judges
• Owner of Elite Ranch Consulting LLC.

Fred Berger was born on June 24, 1957, to Joe and Darlene Berger in Mandan, ND where he lived his entire life. Fred spent his childhood working for his father’s cattle and bucking bull business. It was his early years as a cowboy that instilled in him an impenetrable work ethic. But to work that hard involves a little play. He spent his weekends with his family on the rodeo trail. Fred primarily rode bulls and barebacks. In high school and college, he also rode saddle bronc and steer wrestled. Fred qualified for the National Little Britches Finals, the National High School Finals, the National Intercollegiate Finals, the NORA Finals, and the PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals. Fred won a High School State Championship in Medora in 1975 where he rode two NFR bucking bulls of Bob Aber.

Then as rodeo slowed down, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a cattle buyer, rancher, and cattle feeder. His father Joe M. Berger was his hero. A cattle buyer’s life is anything but glamorous. During the busy winter run, he would hit 5-6 sales in a week across multiple states, buying cattle for customers across the Midwest and sleeping seldomly. For Fred 200+ phone calls in a day was a slow day. Yet he never complained.

Fred owned and built several cattle feedlots and ranches in North Dakota. He fed 10,000 – 12,000 head of cattle annually for himself and purchased hundreds of thousands for others. It was ranching and rodeo that gave Fred countless lifelong friends and memories.

He was incredibly proud of where he was from, Mandan, North Dakota and to be a Berger. He was most proud of the family he built, as he fiercely loved his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, his mother, father, nieces and nephews, friends, and his hired men and women as if they were family. Fred’s heart was his best quality by a country mile. He wouldn’t just give you the shirt off his back. He would shelter and feed you, while helping you find your purpose. Then, he might even try to hire you. When you were one on one with Fred, he made you feel like the most special person in the world. He gave you everything and expected nothing in return. He was a man of immense faith and attempted to walk in Jesus’ footsteps every single day. He was an honest man. A man with integrity.

In 2023, Fred was presented The Legacy Award by the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. For a man who cast a big wake, he moved in silence. The Lakota Sioux tribe ceremoniously adopted Fred, his father and brothers, into their tribe in 2007. The honorary Sioux name given to Fred was Man Who Walks Alone. For someone given the name Man Who Walks Alone, he is now in a place where he is everything but alone. Fred passed from this life on January 30, 2025.

Fred Bieri was born in Superior, Wisconsin, on September 20, 1905, to Swiss immigrants Gottlieb “Joe” and Margrith Bieri. Around 1908, the family homesteaded near Ross, North Dakota. Fred—the fifth of twelve children—spent roughly a decade there before his parents moved south of Blaisdell to the Forrest Rice Ranch, later known as the Bieri Ranch.

In 1931, he married Agnes Myregard, daughter of Botolf and Margit Myregard, and together they raised four children. To help support the family during the Depression, Fred worked as a supervisor with the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.), supplementing the ranch income.

The Bieri family became known regionally for their Belgian and Percheron work horses—at times running as many as 275 draft and saddle horses on open range. Roundups in the 1920s and 1930s were major operations, sometimes aided by Sheriff Forrest Rice and jail trustees, and could take several days to complete. Horses were bred, raised, and broken to drive at the ranch; many sold locally, while several railcar loads of well-broken teams were shipped annually to Minnesota and Wisconsin. Fred was reputed to be able to load an entire railroad car himself, guiding horses with the crack of a whip without striking them.

As markets shifted after the Depression, the ranch pivoted toward cattle in 1936 while maintaining an interest in saddle and pleasure horses. In the early 1940s, the Bieri Ranch joined the U.S. Government Remount Program, which placed high-quality Thoroughbred stallions with reputable ranchers to strengthen American horse stock and provide a reserve for military needs. After inspection, the Bieri herd—augmented by mares from neighboring ranches—was approved, and the Army purchased two geldings from the ranch. Over time, three Thoroughbred stallions stood at Blaisdell: Pugnacious (“Pug”), War Instigator, and Strawman. The Army bought select offspring that met strict standards for age, height, disposition, and condition; although the exact number is unknown, purchases averaged about two horses per year. These Thoroughbreds were among the very few stationed in northwestern North Dakota.

On August 7, 1956, Fred served as president among the founders who organized a rodeo arena for Blaisdell-area youth. Early members expanded the club, and its stock and facilities became part of the region’s cowboy heritage. One of the original chutes was later donated to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Notable animals associated with club members included Blaisdell Blue (later “Blue Mountain” at the National Finals Rodeo), Anchors Aweigh, Zebra Dunn, and Black Head.

Throughout these changes, Fred Bieri was recognized for capable horsemanship, steady leadership, and service to both his community and the land.

The Patterson Land Company was first formed in 1905 when Eugene L Patterson from Mankato, MN purchased more than a million acres of land from the Northern Pacific Railroad. All of that land was located in North Dakota, between Bismarck and Jamestown.

Patterson began selling land in 1905 and continued to do so until 1939. His sales and ranch manager was George A. Duemeland who became a partner in 1910. George had just graduated from the Mankato Business College. Patterson was impressed by the young graduate and quickly hired him to manage their affairs in North Dakota.

Sales were good for many years but then, the dustbowl/depression years brought an end to the glory days of quick and easy land sales on the northern plains. By the end of the 1930s, Patterson was ready to call it “quits”. In 1939 he sold all of his remaining North Dakota holdings to his manager, George Duemeland and full use of the name “Patterson Land Company”. Duemeland eventually organized the PLC into three divisions. The “North” ranch, which had been established in 1919, was located six miles north of Wing. The “South” ranch, established in 1927, was located about twelve miles southwest of Sterling. The third operation, called the “Pettibone Ranch”, was located just west of Pettibone, ND. Later, in the 1960s and 70s the Co. also operated a feedlot near Bismarck.

The three ranches that made up the Patterson Land Company were not only large operations with as many as 16 to 18 people on the payroll at each ranch, they were also very innovative. As early as 1940 each of the three ranches had its own airfield. Years later, they were almost certainly
the first ranches in North Dakota to use computers to track the weight and pedigree of their livestock with focus on performance breeding.

Beginning in 1927, the Patterson Land Company was a registered Hereford operation along with Belgian horses. In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, the mutation which causes dwarfism in Hereford cattle was quickly spreading across the United States. The PLC was one, of only a very few, large-scale, purebred Hereford operations that managed to avoid this scourge. At one time only five such herds in the entire US were known to be free of dwarfism. The PLC’s Domino and Zato bloodlines became very highly sought-after and enjoyed great success in both the sales ring and in the show ring. From the 1950s through the 1980s premium-quality Hereford sales were held on the PLC ranches with buyers flying in from across the country to bid.

The Patterson Land Co. was always a family operation. Through the years, management of the ranches passed from George A. Duemeland to his son Lorin, then finally to Lorin’s son, George “Skip” Duemeland. In 1960, George A. Duemeland received the Honorary Life Membership from the ND Stockmans Association and Man of the Year in North Dakota Agriculture. In 1965, Lorin was elected President of the American Hereford Association. In this capacity he traveled the world promoting the American livestock industry in general and the interests of the American Hereford Association in particular.

Charles “Charlie” Bahm was born on April 14, 1883, south of New Salem in what was then the raw frontier of North Dakota. From an early age, he was immersed in ranch life, herding the family’s cattle out of wheat fields while still a boy. One early moment foreshadowed a lifetime in the cattle business: when the New Salem blacksmith promised Charlie a calf if he could lift it into a wagon. Charlie did just that, and decided it needed to be branded. He registered his brand—the Lazy C Cross Y—marking the beginning of his independent cattle career.

As fencing became necessary, Charlie and his brother Willie moved their cattle to open range near Raleigh in the Three Buttes area. There, Charlie and Willie endured the brutal winter of 1896–1897. When supplies ran out, they survived for nine days on nothing but steaks, a testament to the grit that defined Charlie’s life.

At just 13 years old, Charlie took several carloads of cattle by rail to Chicago. Commissioners doubted that a boy could be in charge until Charlie produced a letter from his ill father authorizing him to handle the shipment and sale. The cattle sold for four and a half cents per hundredweight. Charlie would make that trip many times in the years that followed.
As homesteaders pushed into the region, Charlie and Willie were again forced to seek new range. They relocated to Slope County, about 35 miles from Medora, where they built a log cabin and ranched together for several years before Willie moved on to settle in Billings County. On December 23, 1906, Charlie saddled his horse and rode to Mandan. Two days later, he married Arlie Foltz and brought her home to a sod hut on his ranch.

During the hardships of the Dirty Thirties, Charlie owned as many as 1,180 head of cattle. With no feed available, he was forced to sell off the herd, keeping only two milk cows. By 1937, conditions improved, and Charlie rebuilt. As cattle prices rose, he steadily expanded his operation, eventually owning 37 sections of land.

Charlie Bahm was a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, the American National Cattlemen, and the 50 Years in the Saddle Club. He passed away on December 31, 1969, leaving behind a legacy of endurance, independence, and lifelong devotion to the ranching way of life.

Elwood Haines O’Cain was born on July 29, 1876, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, descending from a long line of Quakers.

Elwood and his brother operated an upholstery shop in 1898 at Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 1900, he went to Stevens Point, Wisconsin.. While there he learned that relatives had established a ranch about 8 miles south of White Earth, North Dakota. As Elwood had planned a trip to Alaska in the spring of 1904, he decided to stop to see his cousin Minor Williams who operated the Crown Ranch, one of the earliest ranches in the White Earth Valley.

Elwood was impressed by the luxuriant grass, the abundance of water and the natural shelter of the many wooded coulees. In the fall of 1904, he filed on a homestead about eight miles down the White Earth River from the Crown Ranch. His lands adjoined the David C. Boyd ranch to the north and adjoined land to the southwest which was originally a part of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

In 1905 and 1906, Elwood wintered horses for Matt Gilmore, two miles down the White Earth River on what was formerly known as the Murphy Ranch. This ranch was first established by Eustis Jameson and Mcclung in 1887. When Elwood was visiting the Gilmore ranch, he was hired to break horses for Mr. Schofield of Minot. On several occasions, Elwood would drive bunches of horses across the open county from the Filmore ranch to Minot.

Elwood met Ada Loftiss of Pontiac, Illinois on one of his trips to Minot. They were married on July 20, 1907, and raised a family of five.

Elwood was employed as overseer at the Slater Mine, the first commercial coal mine in Mountrail County.

Jorgen Haugen came from humble beginnings shaped by hard work, perseverance, and vision. He emigrated from Norway with his parents and two sisters at the age of five, settling in the sand hills near McLeod, North Dakota. The family homesteaded in a log house, but government action later forced them to leave. Undeterred, Jorgen’s father, John, purchased two quarters of prairie land, setting the stage for Jorgen’s lifelong connection to the land.

Growing up during the Great Depression, Jorgen worked for his father and for anyone who could afford to hire help. Opportunity was scarce, so skills were learned out of necessity. Through practice and determination, Jorgen became known as a fair and honest man whose word—and firm handshake—sealed many a deal. In 1939, when he married Agnes Knudson, they purchased marginal land and began the long process of building a productive ranch.

Jorgen started with a mixed operation that included beef cattle, milk cows, pigs, and chickens, relying heavily on his team of horses. He had a natural ingenuity for making things work, once fashioning a tractor-style “jeep” from an old car. His resourcefulness became legendary, as did the story of his first tractor drive, when habit led him to call to the horses instead of turning the wheel.

From the beginning, Jorgen showed foresight as a rancher. While some land was tilled for corn and oats, most was preserved as native prairie and hayed for winter feed. Early winters were brutal, with long days spent pitching hay by hand into a sleigh just to feed the livestock. Determined to improve efficiency, Jorgen purchased his first new tractor in 1942—a John Deere “H”—ushering in a new era of productivity.

Haying dominated summers for decades and often required the help of family. Jorgen adopted new technologies as they emerged, from grapple forks and stack frames to a stack mover that allowed entire hay stacks to be transported intact. He was equally innovative during threshing and silage cutting, building his own silage wagon and adapting equipment to suit the ranch’s needs.

Jorgen was a charter member of the Sheyenne Valley Grazing Association, contributing significant labor to fencing, water development, and pasture improvements. He branded his Hereford cattle with the H Lazy J, a mark that became well known in the area.

In the 1960s, Jorgen realized a long-held dream when his son James became his partner. Together they expanded the operation, adding facilities, feeding yards, silos, and a growing shop where creativity and welding skills flourished. Jorgen continued adopting innovations, including large round balers and custom-built equipment.

Community involvement was central to Jorgen’s life. Appointed to the Richland County Water Resource Board in 1975, he became a respected voice in regional water management, shaped by firsthand experience with flooding and drainage challenges. Even in his eighties, he spoke confidently before ranchers and lawmakers, offering the perspective of someone who had known the land when it was all open prairie.

Education mattered deeply to Jorgen. He saved for his children’s college education and later earned his GED at age 76, proving that determination knows no age limit.

Jorgen Haugen left a legacy defined by faith, innovation, integrity, and service. He understood the value of hard work, community, and the bigger picture of life. Remembered for his ingenuity, generosity, and unmistakable twinkle of humor, Jorgen’s life remains a testament to resilience and quiet leadership.

Howard Bubel grew up with a deep connection to the land and livestock on the family farm located northwest of Center, North Dakota, in Oliver County. From a young age, he learned the values of hard work, integrity, and community that would guide him throughout his life. Howard attended a local country school before graduating from Center Public School, where his strong sense of responsibility and perseverance began to take shape.

It was on the family farm that Howard and his brother, John Bubel, first turned their shared passion for rodeo into something tangible. The brothers built an arena on the farm, and soon their friends and neighbors were gathering there to rope, ride rough stock, and practice steer wrestling. What began as a pastime among friends quickly became a cherished local tradition. These early rodeos reflected Howard’s lifelong dedication to the sport and the community that surrounded it.

Howard’s love for rodeo naturally extended to his family. His son, JD, and daughter, Jodi, quite literally grew up in the saddle. From an early age, they learned not just how to compete, but also the value of preparation and care for the animals that made the sport possible. To support his children’s practice needs, Howard began acquiring calves and steers so they could hone their skills in the arena at home.
What started as a father’s way of supporting his children’s rodeo ambitions soon evolved into something much larger. One day, family friend and fellow rodeo enthusiast Jim Mosbrucker approached Howard with a request: could he lease some of his cattle to use at upcoming rodeos? That simple question marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Bubel family – one that would eventually lead to the creation of Bubel Timed Event.

When JD and Jodi left for college, there was a brief pause in the cattle operation. But in the year 2000, Howard revived and expanded the business. With his characteristic determination and vision, he officially established Bubel Timed Event, providing high-quality timed event stock to rodeos across the region. What began modestly with a couple of pickups and stock trailers soon grew into a well-respected and professional operation.

By 2008, the business had expanded to include a semi-truck and ground load trailer, and by 2010, Howard had added a second semi and cattle trailer. With each passing year, Bubel Timed Event earned a reputation for excellence, reliability, and fairness. Howard’s stock became a fixture at rodeos throughout the Midwest, supplying cattle for the North Dakota Rodeo Association, North Dakota High School & Junior High School Rodeo Association, South Dakota Rodeo Association, Minnesota High School Rodeo Association, Rough Rider Rodeo Association, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

Howard’s cattle were featured at numerous finals rodeos across North Dakota and neighboring states, and contestants knew that when Bubel Timed Event provided the stock, they could expect a fair and consistent competition. Howard was deeply committed to ensuring that every cowboy and cowgirl had a genuine chance to win on any given animal. He believed that fairness was the foundation of a good rodeo, and he took great pride in the quality of his livestock and the integrity of the events he supported.

Behind the scenes, Howard’s work ethic was unmatched. He and his son JD spent countless hours throughout the week sorting and preparing cattle for weekend rodeos. Each animal was carefully evaluated and selected to ensure the pen was well-balanced, competitive, and suitable for the contestants. His attention to detail and pride in his work earned him widespread respect among rodeo committees, stock contractors, and competitors alike.

More than just a businessman, Howard was a mentor and a friend to many within the rodeo community. He had a calm, humble way of sharing his knowledge – whether it was offering advice to a young roper or lending a hand to a fellow stock contractor. His integrity, dependability, and quiet leadership style reflected the values he learned growing up on the farm.

Howard’s contributions to the sport of rodeo extend far beyond the cattle he provided. He helped create opportunities for hundreds of young athletes to compete, learn, and grow. Through Bubel Timed Event, he played a vital role in sustaining the traditions of the rodeo world – where hard work, sportsmanship, and respect for animals remain at the heart of the sport.

Today, the legacy of Howard Bubel continues to inspire others. His commitment to fairness, quality, and community has left an enduring mark on the rodeo associations and contestants who had the privilege of working with him. From the family farm where it all began to the arenas across the Midwest that his cattle helped fill, Howard’s influence can be felt in every run, every ride, and every handshake that celebrates the spirit of rodeo.

Marvin Klein wasn’t born into the rodeo world—but from an early age, he was destined to shape it.

Raised in Carson, North Dakota, Marvin discovered his passion for rodeo as a young boy. Living next door to renowned stock contractor and North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee J.C. Stevenson gave him rare access to nearly every rodeo event imaginable. While Marvin tried them all, it was bullfighting that captured his spirit. At just 14 years old, he began fighting bulls for Stevenson at amateur rodeos, quickly demonstrating the courage, agility, and respect that would define his career.

Under the guidance of J.C. Stevenson and pickup man Jim Weekes, Marvin honed his craft with grit and determination. He often described bullfighting with his trademark humor, saying it required three things: you had to be “agile, fragile, and mo-byle.” That philosophy—equal parts skill, humility, and toughness—carried him from small arenas to legendary status.

In 1962, while still a high school sophomore, Marvin was selected as the bullfighter for the first NDRA Rodeo Finals in Valley City. He graduated from Carson High School in 1965, then served two tours in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Staff Sergeant (E-6), carrying forward the discipline and resilience that would serve him well in the arena.

Following his military service, Marvin studied economics at Dickinson State College, where he joined the rodeo team and helped launch the Country Western Jamboree to raise funds for the program. He even persuaded English instructor Archie Hill—despite Hill’s limited rodeo knowledge at the time—to become the rodeo club advisor. Marvin earned his RCA card in 1970 and his PRCA card in 1975, competing professionally until 1988.

Among his many career highlights, Marvin served as bullfighter and clown for the North Dakota Prison Rodeo from 1973 to 1983, a role that demanded exceptional courage and awareness. He was named Badlands Circuit Bullfighter of the Year three consecutive times (1978–1980) and was selected for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Yakima, Washington, in 1980. He also competed in the prestigious Wrangler Bullfighters Match in Colorado Springs, facing the legendary fighting bull Crooked Nose—the only fighting bull ever inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Marvin retired from the arena in 1988 and returned to his ranch, fittingly named M.T. Pockets Ranch. Yet his connection to rodeo never faded. He attended rodeo clown reunions across the country and, most recently, enjoyed the July 2025 Rodeo Clown Reunion in Mandan.

Those who worked alongside Marvin speak of his instincts, generosity, and unwavering commitment to protecting riders—especially the inexperienced. Letters and drawings from grade school children filled his memorabilia, reminders of the laughter, inspiration, and bravery he brought to every performance.

Marvin Klein was more than a rodeo clown. He was a symbol of courage, service, and cowboy legacy. His nomination to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame honors not only his achievements, but the heart and soul he poured into every arena he entered.

Marvin passed away November 30, 2025.

Wilhelmina Mary “Buddine” Fredericks was born and raised on her family’s ranch on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. She attended the Elbowoods Agency Indian School, where she excelled academically and in extracurricular activities, graduating from Elbowoods High School in 1946 at just 16 years old. She went on to attend Dickinson State Teachers College and earned her teaching certificate at age 17. Buddine began her career teaching in rural North Dakota schools before later entering ranching alongside Oakley H. Dayton, majority owner of the Greenor and Dayton Rodeo Company. Together, they ranched in the Mandaree area and purchased horses for the rodeo company. Following Oakley’s death, Buddine returned to teaching.

Buddine’s lifelong career in education spanned public education, Indian education, and guidance and counseling at both the high school and college levels in North Dakota, South Dakota, and California. Her expertise led to her recruitment by the Indian Higher Education Consortium, where she served as Director of Curriculum Development. In this role, she played a key part in helping newly established Indian colleges on reservations across the country meet the standards and objectives required for accreditation, contributing significantly to the growth of higher education opportunities for Native students.

A deep love for children defined both her professional and personal life. Buddine coached girls’ basketball at Rubidoux High School in California and managed the school’s girls’ athletic department. Her affection extended to her family, particularly her nieces and nephews. Each year she returned to Fort Berthold bearing gifts for them, and she was always present for family and friends during times of need. Her compassion and devotion made her especially cherished among her siblings.

In addition to her education career, Buddine was an accomplished horsewoman and competitive rodeo athlete. She and her brothers, John and Pete, attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where they excelled in collegiate rodeo and won multiple championships. Buddine was crowned Rodeo Queen at New Mexico State University and later became the North Dakota Rodeo Association Champion Barrel Racer in the late 1950s. She also competed in saddle bronc riding at local rodeos, including the Killdeer Mountain Round-Up, and supported many local cowboys and cowgirls in their rodeo careers. Through rodeo, she formed lasting friendships with world champions such as Casey Tibbs, Marty Woods, Winston Bruce, and Sammy Thurman.

Buddine shared a special bond with horses, particularly her champion horse Cricket and the last horse she trained, Missy Jo. She participated in wild horse roundups throughout the Mandaree and Twin Buttes areas and served as round-up boss in 1960 on her brother Buzz’s ranch.

Later in life, Buddine returned to Fort Berthold, serving as Executive Director of the Fort Berthold Housing Authority and later as manager of the Four Bears Hotel and Resort.

After retiring, she traveled with her mother, Catherine, to powwows, selling Indian jewelry and enjoying friendships made along the way.

Leland “Lee” Tlbke grew up near Carson, North Dakota, as the fourth of eleven children born to Earl and Esther Tibke. Life on the family farm and ranch taught him the value of hard work, family, and resilience. From a young age, Lee worked alongside his family, tending livestock and crops in the countryside.

At four years old, Lee attended his first rodeo in Mandan on the Fourth of July, where he knew instantly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. At nine years old, he entered his first event – a calf ride at the Carson Rodeo. With a permission slip from his dad, Lee went on to win the event and new overalls, setting the stage for a lifelong love of the sport.

At nineteen, while breaking horses, Lee discovered his gift for riding broncs. What began as farm work soon turned into a passion and a way of life. Lee began full-time in rodeo, traveling across the northern plains and beyond. Spending about a year traveling and riding with fellow cowboys. His dedication and talent soon earned him recognition in the arena as well as many wins.

In 1968, Lee married and began raising a family, having two children – Chad and Beth. Though his schedule was demanding, the time he spent with his kids became treasured memories.

Lee’s rodeo career remained a major part of his life. He won the 1969 NDRA Bareback Championship, earning a saddle that was displayed in the family home. His name was well-known on the rodeo circuit, fellow riders admiring his fierce style with one stating, “I sure as hell am glad I’m not one of the broncs Lee Tibke climbs on.”

In 1971, in Miles City, he suffered a severe injury after being kicked in the head by a horse resulting in a life flight to Bismarck but, true to his character, he was back riding the next season. He continued to compete and even became the highest-selling cowboy in the Calcutta at the Old Timers Rodeo, where he won his final event in Raleigh at age 39.

Between rodeos, Lee held a variety of jobs-from working in South Dakota mines to assisting at a veterinary clinic. He ultimately settled in Mandan, North Dakota, where he became a Brand Inspector for the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and later a Sales Representative for Kist Livestock – roles that connected him deeply to the state’s ranching community. Known everywhere he went, Lee was respected for his integrity, sharp eye for cattle, and endless stories.

In 1985, Lee bought his own ranch east of St. Anthony. Spring branding was a community event filled with hard work, laughter, and neighborly camaraderie – a reflection of the man himself. After retiring in 1996, Lee traded broncs for boats, becoming a dedicated fisherman on Lake Sakakawea. Always a storyteller and prankster, he remained a beloved figure known for his humor, humility, and strength.

Lee Tibke’s life is a true North Dakota story-rooted in family, faith, hard work, and the cowboy way.

“Clover Leaf. Potato Race. Stake Race. Gown Race. Musical Chairs. Pack-up-and-Go.” Those words, handwritten on a stack of old Standard Oil Company loading tickets, are the historical remains of the Richardton Saddle Club’s early youth rodeo competitions, which began in the late 1950s. Today, the club rates as the oldest known saddle club in North Dakota with an unbroken charter.

The club was initiated to promote the cowboy way of life and its principles, while providing activities for youth. Soon, full-fledged rodeos came to provide much excitement and entertainment. “Everybody in Richardton thought it was a good idea,” recalls charter member Chuck Hoff, Richardton. “The doctor, the druggist, the dentist, most of the farmers and ranchers – everybody belonged and when we were over there driving nails they were helping.” The club purchased the old stockyards west of town. The first fully completed arena was made of three strands of woven wire surrounding plank bucking chutes. The original gate hinges were made of old wagon wheel rims.

Charter member Sabbie Fettig, Richardton, maintained a string of bucking horses for the club to use at practice sessions. Horses for saddle club use were trailed in from the Hansen Brothers, Schaffners and even Elbowoods. Some of the most noted horses that bucked in the Richardton Saddle Club arena included: Buckskin Nelly, Red Sails, Mean Boy, Water Works and Humpty Dumpty.

The first youth event was held during Richardton’s 75th Anniversary in July 1958 and the club’s first full-fledged rodeo was held October 16, 1958. The club incorporated on June 12, 1959. Early membership in the Richardton Saddle Club covered the Richardton/Taylor trade area, south to the Heart River and north to the Knife River.

Richardton Saddle Club members began competing in club rodeos in the 1960s and ‘70s with fellow clubs from Glen Ullin, Almont and Elgin. “Sometimes we’d have 35-40 entries in a single kids’ event,” said John Gengler, Richardton, a long-time announcer. With events such as barrel racing, pole bending, sack race and musical chairs, he added, “We’d start around noon and try to get done by dark, but you’d end up holding flashlights by the time you got to the end.” The club continues to participate in annual club rodeos, currently held in Richardton, Hebron, Glen Ullin and New Salem.

Through the years the club has provided practice and competition for numerous cowboys and cowgirls, many of who have garnered success in junior high, high school, college, amateur and even professional rodeo. Four-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Brad Gjermundson, Marshall, recalls, “Some of the first rodeos we went to as kids were association rodeos hosted by the Richardton Saddle Club. That was back when horses were hauled in stock racks on pickups.” He adds, “Some of the first bucking horses I got on were in the Richardton arena.”

The Richardton Saddle Club has held numerous team ropings, NDRA-sanctioned events for more than 40 years and hosted an annual Bull-o-rama from 2002 – 2007. It began hosting Roughrider Rodeo Association (RRA) rodeos in 2008 and North Dakota Junior High Rodeo Division (NDJHRD) Rodeos in 2012, both of which continue today.

The club has over 90 members and is noted for having one of the best small-town arenas around. Members also ride in local, annual parades and are proud of participating in horseback funeral processions that honor members who have passed away.

Towner – proudly claimed as the Cattle Capital of North Dakota – has cultivated a vibrant rodeo tradition for over six decades. The Towner Rodeo Association, founded in January 1960, has continued the legacy of hosting the annual Towner Rodeo every July 3rd and 4th. It is a testament to the enduring passion of local ranchers and rodeo enthusiasts.

This event is more than a rodeo – it’s a community celebration. Families return for reunions, tourists stop to experience small-town charm, and locals gather to honor Independence Day with cowboy spirit. The Towner rodeo and parade have become staples of North Dakota’s wholesome lifestyle.

Rodeo tradition in Towner began with the Mouse River Stampede in the 1950s. Those efforts laid the groundwork for the formation of the Towner Rodeo Association. Throughout the 1960s, the rodeo grew. In the early years, the events included saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, wild cow riding, barrel bending, boot race, girls cloverleaf race, wild cow milking, men’s relay race, and pony relay races. In 1969, bull riding was an added event. Today, the NDRA-sanctioned rodeo, includes the events of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, ladies breakaway, steer wrestling, team roping, ladies barrel racing, senior men’s breakaway, and bull riding.

The arena, originally built in the early 1950s, remains one of the largest in the state. The original arena was estimated at 600 feet long and 200 feet wide. Even though it has been shortened twice over the years, with the most recent change in 2017, it is currently 367 feet in length and 150 feet wide. In 2017, the wire mesh fencing was also updated. In 2016, the roping boxes and back pens were rebuilt. Large wooden bleachers which held 600 spectators were constructed in 1968 and were used until 2020. Updates continue to be made.

The July 4th parade, also organized by the Rodeo Association, is a big attraction on main street. Since 1965, dollar coins have been given to youth horseback riders in the parade. The rodeo continues to evolve, with added events for youth like mutton busting, boot races, and mini broncs. Many entertainment acts have performed at the rodeo including trick riders, animal acts, musical bands, and flag teams. In 1967, over 4,000 spectators attended the rodeo. Today it remains a major attraction to Towner.

Despite challenges like the 2011 Mouse River flood, which postponed the rodeo to July 23-24 of 2011, the rodeo has been held every year on July 4th. Today, the Towner Rodeo is sanctioned by the North Dakota Rodeo Association. In the past it has also been sanctioned by Roughrider Rodeo Association, and occasionally co-sanctioned by Minnesota and Canadian associations. It attracts 250-300 cowboys and cowgirls annually to compete.

Thanks to generations of volunteers, sponsors, and board members – many whom are descendants of the original founders, the Towner Rodeo remains a proud celebration of community, cowboy culture, and North Dakota rodeo legacy.