IN THE NEWS WPRA Sends Condolences Katherine Wyss Anderson May 1, 1936-January 13, 2024
Mary Guy February 21, 1949 — January 19, 2024
Mary Guy, 74, of Abilene, Texas, passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, at Hendrick Medical Center, surrounded by many of those who she had wrapped with love in life. Mary-a cowgirl every moment of her existence-did every day BIG. Born in Fort Worth to Edgar and Lillie Davis, Mary built a life of legend on the Guy ranch outside Abilene, raising a family-some by marriage, some
Born and raised on the Wyss Dairy (near Pendleton) to Conrad and Jetta Bennett Wyss. Katherine spent many hours on the back of a horse. She attended grade school in Reith, Junior and Senior High in Pendleton where she graduated in 1954. She was the white captive girl in the Happy Canyon night show and rode in the square dance on horseback. The Round-Up was special to her and she was a Princess in 1954 and Queen in 1955. Katherine attended Oregon State in the fall of 1954 but came
birth and most by pure love for the wayward soul. The rodeo world was her family, and she loved every member of it like her very own. There was simply no life she’d have rather lived. Mary wed the love of her life, Larry Guy, March 10, 1967, in Abilene. Together, they had a son, Tommy, and a daughter, Lari Dee, who would give Mary her greatest joy as their mother. She lived to crack the chute for her kids to rope, from Abilene to Las Vegas and beyond. Nobody would dare question her fierce support of them, as she never failed to show up everywhere they’d back into the corner and nod their head. Along the way, Mary acquired dozens of adopted children she’d lovingly call her ‘strays’, for whom she supported through good times and bad. Known best for her unmatched skill for honesty, Mary didn’t care if you were the “King of the Cowboys” or her ornery, teenage grandson- she never left you questioning where you stood or what she thought of the choices you were making. A fierce advocate for women in rodeo, Mary lobbied hard for all her girls and loved cheering for her boys, young and old. Mary is survived by Larry, her husband of 56 years; son, Tommy, of Abilene; daughter, Lari Dee, of Abilene; grandson, Tegan Guy; granddaughter, Adison Guy; nephews Roy Hurd Manahan (Kendra) and Cole Manahan; great nephew, Lanham Manahan; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends and family. Boot Barn Best Dressed Circuit Winners The WPRA would like to thank Boot Barn for sponsoring the Best Dressed Barrel Racing Award in each circuit this year. We would like to congratulate the following ladies who rode away with a $100 gift certificate along with the recognition. Badlands – Molly Otto California – Shelby Bates Columbia River – Lindsay Ham
home over winter break and went to work in the office at the Pilot Rock Lumber Co. She transferred to the Reith Plant and remained there through 1957. She married Jerry Anderson that December and moved to Ellensburg, Washington. They farmed and opened a saddle and tack shop. They had a son, Curtis. They divorced in 1971 and Katherine worked for the Ellensburg School District until July of 1979 when she married Courtney Bach. Katherine loved horses and barrel racing. As a member of the Washington Barrel Racing Association, she was the 1965 champion and was in their top ten for 11 years. In 1974 she joined the GRA, which later became the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. She also competed in the Senior Pro Rodeo Association and won the year- end barrel racing saddle in 1981 at their finals in Nevada. Her husband died in January of 1987 so she moved to Hermiston, Oregon. She worked part-time for P.G. G. in the clothing department. Katherine continued competing in the northwest, California, and Arizona during the winter. In 2007 Katherine and her special barrel horse “Foxy Coke” (from the 60’s and 70’s) were inducted into the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame along with her step-son Allen Bach, four-time PRCA World Champion Heeler. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Courtney Bach, son Curtis Anderson, sister Anne Wyss Wilson, and brother Conrad Wyss. Katherine is survived by stepdaughter Judy (Jim) Nelson, step-sons Mike (Terri) Bach PRCA Gold Card Member, and Allen (Peggy) Bach, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Katherine requests no services, just a gathering of friends and relatives for talk and food wherever and whenever.
First Frontier – Joanna Reid Great Lakes – Kricket Gintner Montana – Sarah Verhelst
Mountain States – Kelly Yates Southeastern – Margo Crowther Turquoise – Jordan Bassett Kircher Keep an eye out for these best dressed ladies at a rodeo near you.
8 WPRA NEWS FEBRUARY 2024
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