Una Beutler of Elk City, Okla., died this morning, June 2, at 6:30 am. Services will be held Thursday, June 4, 2009, at 1:30 pm at Martin’s Funeral Home in Elk City.
Una was born and raised on a ranch 18 miles from Canadian, Texas, where she and her seven siblings went to school on the second floor of their ranch house. The teacher lived at their home so children from other ranches came to school there.
Una started her career as a rodeo secretary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when she accompanied her four brothers to a rodeo there. Nell Shaw was keeping time for stock contractor Homer Todd while Everett Shaw, her husband, roped. Nell asked Una to help her, so Una started her career there. She went on to help with the books at Madison Square Garden and after 54 performances they went to Boston for the rodeo there. In 1972 Una was chosen to be the rodeo secretary for the National Finals Rodeo. Una retired in 1992 after working 21 years as the rodeo secretary for the Southwest Region of the NIRA.
Una is survived by her son, Bennie Beutler, of Elk City, who owns Beutler and Son Rodeo Stock Company; Dollie Riddle of Vernon, Texas, who followed Una as the Southwest Region rodeo secretary for 18 years; Vickie Shireman of Elk City, who works as the rodeo secretary for the Central Plains Region, their spouses, and eight grandchildren.
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