2015 North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Highlights

Posted By: Steve Urness
June 21, 2015 @ 5:30 pm
News

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ND – (NewsDakota.com) Six people are now in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Four time barrel racing champion Virginia Eck, a graduate of Valley City State University and a former Miss Rodeo North Dakota was honored. She is one of the founding members of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Three time barrel racing champion Joan Hecker-Lennick and the late Douglas A. Hansen were inducted into the modern-era rodeo division. The late Ben Johnston was inducted into the pre-1940 rodeo division.

The late James Earl Mrnak was inducted into the modern-era ranching and the late Christen Burnstad is now in the pre-1940 ranching division.

It’s the 10th anniversary of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum and Event Center in Medora and the 20th anniversary of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame as an organization.

For more information about the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame log onto their website www.northdakotacowboy.com

Below are a few highlight photos by Steve Urness from the 2015 Induction Ceremony in Medora.

Center: In the red shirt is 4-time barrel racing champion Virginia "Ginny" Eck a Valley City State University graduate is in the Hall of Fame. — Center: In the red shirt is 4-time barrel racing champion Virginia “Ginny” Eck a Valley City State University graduate, now in the Hall of Fame.

Joan Hecker-Lennick 3-time barrel racing champion now in the Hall of Fame.

Douglas A. Hansen's widow Sharon gives an emotional speech about her late husband's love for rodeo before cancer claimed his life at the age of 48. — Douglas A. Hansen’s widow, Sharon gives an emotional speech about her late husband’s love for rodeo before cancer claimed his life at the age of 48.

A family member of the late James Earl Mrnak accepts the Hall of Fame honor for the family.

The late James Earl Mrnak wife Shirley second from the right in the pink vest accepts the Hall of Fame honor for her late husband and the family.

A family member accepts the Hall of Fame honor for the family of the late Ben Johnston.

A family member accepted the Hall of Fame award for the family of the late Christen Burnstad.

Keynote speaker Sylvia Mahoney of Fort Worth, Texas.

Dick Nelson of Valley City displays the 20 year anniversary chaps for the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Nelson is a North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame board member. Photos by Steve Urness.

Miss Rodeo North Dakota Dani Taylor of Mandan, North Dakota.

Executive Director Phil Baird displays the 20th commemorative chaps for the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame during the Trustee meeting in Medora.

Above: Children have fun during the Calcutta fundraising horse race in Medora during the annual North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

Above: Hall of Fame Executive Director Phil Baird addresses the attendees.

Below: The Hall of Fame attendees were treated to the 50th anniversary of the Medora Musical on Friday, June 19.

Harold Schafer’s vision of the Medora Foundation and the Musical is now 50 years strong. Come check out the 50th anniversary celebration of the musical this year in Medora.