Sterling Bowers

Sterling Bowers

March 27, 1935

Sterling Bowers was born on a small ranch North of Burwell on March 27, 1935 to Geneva and Samuel Bowers. Sterling had one older brother, Delmer Bowers and a little sister Darlene (Bowers) Larsen. Sterling worked with his dad ranching, breaking horses and then Sterling went on to start rodeoing.

Sterling’s first wife, Rene, gave him 3 kids; Twila Meier, Teresa Patrick and Jay Bowers. After Rene and Sterling divorced, Sterling found himself a single dad raising 3 young children. Sterling re-married Maxine Schamp who brought another daughter, Katy Bowers Petre. Once married, Sterling and Maxine had 2 more daughters together; Brenda Bowers and Holly Bowers.

During his rodeo career, he won 50 trophy buckles and 8 saddles. Winning Nebraska State Rodeo Association (NSRA) bull riding 1959, 1963, 1967 runner up 1958, 1961, 1966. Steer wrestling he won in 1963. Also winning all-around in 1963. Sterling also held a record in the NSRA for many for being the only cowboy to win a rough stock, timed event and all-around in the same year.

Sterling Bowers started working at the Burwell Livestock Market when he was 14 years old and continued to work there for close to 60 years. Along with running his ranch, he judged rodeos. Sterling was director of the Nebraska State Rodeo Association and judged Little Britches, Mid-States Rodeo and NSRA rodeos. Greeley Rodeo honored Sterling with a buckle for judging their rodeo for 50 years.

Sterling still stays active in his kids’ and grandkids’ rodeo career.

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