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Jun 19, 2021

9 inducted into Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame

Posted Jun 19, 2021 2:51 PM

By Scott Carlson-North Platte Post

VALENTINE, Neb.-The life of a Nebraska Sandhills cowboy is a life that few can fathom. These cowboys are the unsung heroes. We love to eat the products their blood, sweat, and tears produced, but we seldom reflect on what it took to bring that food to our tables.

One of the greatest honors a Sandhills cowboy and their families can receive is induction into the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Organizers said there were 300 tickets sold to this year's 16th annual banquet and 278 prime rib meals were served on June 5 at the Valentine Fairgrounds 4-H building.

But the highlight of the evening was the induction of nine into the NSCHF.

“COVID prevented us honoring the 2020 inductees last year, so they were sent their award plaque without fanfare, which was just not right; so, this year, we honored both the 2021 inductees and invited the 2020 inductees also to come and be properly recognized as well," said Rod Palmer, an Ainsworth lawyer and rancher who started the process of forming the NSCHF in 2006.  “I and others had thought it was long overdue, so I looked at the Hall of Fames in the Dakotas, and Texas and fashioned ours after them. It began with a board of directors of cowboy savvy men, one each representing 14 Sandhills counties.

"In 2012 we expanded the counties to 20. Our website tells of our history, and the inductees we have honored, including their biographies and photos. With the nine inductees in 2021, the total is 152, nine of them women," said Palmer.

Palmer said the mission of the NSCHF is to recognize those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Western lifestyle or horse culture in the areas of competition, business, or the support of rodeo in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

2020 Inductees

Andy Anderson and Sybil Malmberg-Berdt-Sherman County

Clarence Lanka and Chubby Dailey-Logan County

Bill Thurston, Sally Lowe Becker, Dan Powles, and David Sheets-Grant County

Aubrey Lord-Cherry County

2021 Inductees

Blake Beguin-Sheridan County

Bud Bonifield and Dr. Leonard "Buzz" DeNaeyer, DDS-Cherry County

Leon Gift and Russell Allan Nutter-Thomas County

John L. Jensen-Arthur County

LJ "Bus" Olsen-Brown County

Darty Schilke-Chase County

Vernon Van Epps-Keya Paha County

Visit the NSCHF website HERE.

Accepting Leon Gift's plaque from AB Cox is his daughter, Ginger, granddaughter Wesley and widow, Rose.
Accepting Leon Gift's plaque from AB Cox is his daughter, Ginger, granddaughter Wesley and widow, Rose.
The Gift/Carr family - Sierra, Todd, Wesley, Ginger holding Remmie, Cameron, Gatlin Carr. Rose Gift seated.
The Gift/Carr family - Sierra, Todd, Wesley, Ginger holding Remmie, Cameron, Gatlin Carr. Rose Gift seated.
The Russell Nutter immediate family members - standing, Marian (Mark) Nutter, Anne with husband, Brad Nutter, Linda Nutter, (the late Troy Nutter was her husband) Simon Moser, husband of Connie Nutter seated, Mark Nutter is seated on the left.
The Russell Nutter immediate family members - standing, Marian (Mark) Nutter, Anne with husband, Brad Nutter, Linda Nutter, (the late Troy Nutter was her husband) Simon Moser, husband of Connie Nutter seated, Mark Nutter is seated on the left.
The whole Nutter clan in attendance for Russell's 2021 induction
The whole Nutter clan in attendance for Russell's 2021 induction
Kyle and Karen Dailey, Larry Meyers, Mike Dailey, Kevin and Vickie (Schlientz) Curtis, Teejay Meyers, Debbie (Schlientz) Meyers, front row - seated Chubby and Sharon (Schlientz) Dailey, Chelsey Meyers
Kyle and Karen Dailey, Larry Meyers, Mike Dailey, Kevin and Vickie (Schlientz) Curtis, Teejay Meyers, Debbie (Schlientz) Meyers, front row - seated Chubby and Sharon (Schlientz) Dailey, Chelsey Meyers

Terri Licking, President, Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, contributed to this story.

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