Mrs. Ruth Krattiger-Wester

Pictured: Ken Lance and Ruth Lance Wester

The late Ken Lance was a trick roper, all-around cowboy and rodeo promoter who graduated from Durant High School in 1946. He received numerous trophy belt buckles over the years. He was the Southwestern Rodeo Association champion calf roper, 1961; Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo champion calf roper, 1961; first steer-roping champion at Stratford, Oklahoma, 1971; Rodeo Man of the Year Short Grass Rodeo News, 1979; and named Committee Man of the Year by the Women¹s Professional Rodeo Association, 1980.He was proud of his Indian heritage and in 1998 was inducted into the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame. Ruth Whitlock grew up in McAlester, Oklahoma, and graduated from Neosho, Missouri, High School in 1956. She joined the U.S. Air Force and, after receiving her honorable discharge, moved to Florida and obtained her Real Estate Sales Associate License. She is an author and has received several honors throughout her career. She was named Ms. Oklahoma Woman by All-American Pageants, Inc.; served on the Ambassador committee for the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and named ³Volunteer of the Year, ² all in 2001.