Beloved Rodeo Booster Gets Cowboy Farewell

Beloved Rodeo Booster Gets Cowboy Farewell AG WORLD Ag World 7-3-19 A local bystander estimated it had been over half a century since a horse-drawn hearse had entered the gates of St. Mary's cemetery west of Salem, So. Dak. Late one afternoon last January, an 1886 hearse, pulled by a pair of husky, black Percherons, bearing the casket of Ben L. Brune, 81, of rural Sioux Falls, wound its way to the gravesite near a row of aged, tall pines. Brune's life began at Salem in 1901, where he was born on the farm south of Salem. Most area horsemen knew him as his credits include past president of the Hiawatha Horseman Assn. and Sioux Empire Saddle Club and first sponsor of the March of Dimes Trail Ride. In 1945 Brune began the Flying B Rodeo Co. at Soldier Field, Chicago, and brought rodeo to South Dakota. He helped many cowboys get their start in rodeo and his home was referred to as a "mutual gathering place" for horse lovers and rodeo riders. Brune was always willing to let kids ride his horses and raised many young cowboys. Some professional rodeo riders credit their success to him. So Brune's friends felt it was only fitting to give him a cowboy funeral. Six pallbearers on horseback led the way from the McCook Country Club lot where the transfer of the casket was made from the modern, sleek, black limousine to the vintage, horse-drawn hearse for the final ride to the snow-swept cemetery. Mourners said Brune died with no undue suffering "with his boots on" going to aid a friend. They mentioned his abilities as a left-handed roper and a bulldogger. Brune had said, "You've always got to have a big grand entry." His friends gave him an extraordinary, grand farewell "I've entered the hearse in several area parades where it has won "best of the show" awards. However, Ben Brune's was the first funeral for which we were asked to participate," Ken Tschetter, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., told FARM SHOW. He bought the 1886 horse-drawn hearse. built in 1886, and still in mint condition, five years ago at an auction in Scenic, S. Dak. "People nowadays are taller and the caskets longer. Consequently, modern caskets barely fit inside these old horse-drawn hearses. If one was too long, the rear doors could be left partially open to accommodate it," he points out. Tschetter adds that he'd be willing to "go most anywhere" with his horses and hearse to participate in funerals for hire. "We could bring along extra buggies and carriages for the mourners, dignitaries or whatever to put on as elaborate a funeral as the family wanted." For details. contact: FARM SHOW Followup. Ken Tschetter. 4100 Ash Groove. Sioux Falls. S. Dak. 57103 (ph 605 334-4987).

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