| April 29, 2008 started as any typical day at the 88 Ranch near Orchard, NE. Craig Livingston was getting Cadrien (10) ready to catch the bus. Valerie was getting ready for another busy day with Carlee (18 months) and 2 week old Cassie. Grandpa and Grandma Livingston from El Dorado, KS were up to help wherever they were needed. As Cadrien stepped out the door to go to school Craig said, “I’ll see you tonight.” No one had any idea that by the time that yellow bus returned their lives would be forever altered. Growing up on a ranch and being the youngest of eight siblings, Craig learned how to sit a horse before he could even walk. He loved the ranch life and followed in the tradition of his brothers by riding bulls and broncs. Valerie grew up on a ranch in NE Nebraska loving horses and the land. Craig and Valerie’s story dates back to 1984 when at college at Rapid City, SD they met. Craig was walking by the dorm and saw horse figurines in the window. He inquired as to whom the horses belonged and Valerie owned up to it! Their joint love of God, horses, cattle, rodeo and the land were just enough to cement their relationship and cause it to grow. Valerie saw in Craig his humor, loyalty and values as something too few men had. Craig and Valerie started the 88 Ranch with one pair in 1988. Looking for a place to call home they married in Orchard, NE in 1989 and decided to settle there. Starting out in a rented house Craig and Valerie worked hard to build a Gelbvieh seed stock herd. After three years they had an opportunity to pursue the American Dream. Working long hours they managed to scrape together enough for the down payment on their own ranch homestead in April of 1992. In order to fulfill their life’s goals Valerie and Craig followed the work ethic they were raised with. To improve their cash flow and to keep building their herd they raised pigs, took a job in town changing and selling tires; doing things Craig said a cowboy should not have to do. Ranching was what they loved, not all the other! Doing their ranch work on horseback gave them time to reflect, talk and know their land well. After worship one Sunday afternoon in July 1992, just months after making their down payment, they saddled their horses to check their growing herd of twenty pairs. The night before there had been a terrific display of nature with lightening and thunder. Topping the hill, instead of seeing a contented herd, they saw bawling calves and dead cows. Lightning had struck. Twelve cows and the bull were dead. It is often said that out of adversity comes growth of character. Craig’s trademark sense of humor and the couple’s determination caused them to view this as an opportunity. The Livingston’s chose to replace these cows with improved genetics thereby improving their seed stock herd. Built on long hours, hard work, determination and good management; using both artificial insemination and embryo transplant, today, the 88 Ranch has a seed stock herd of over 200 cows. Over the years, the 88 Ranch has shown their stock in several states and sold bulls as far away as New Mexico, Montana and southern Kansas. The single most enjoyable time in their business was when they met with fellow ranchers. Craig and Valerie loved meeting new cattlemen, hearing about their families, operations and goals with their herd. Having these people at their ranch and in their home was what truly made the business worthwhile. Seeing the calf crop the next year was just an added bonus. Relationships are the greatest treasure on this earth. Craig and Valerie loved cultivating those relationships with their neighbors, church family, and families they worked with in their business. It is these circles of friends that make dark days seem lighter. The 88 Ranch met with adversity once again on April 29. What started out as a normal day turned tragic by mid afternoon. Craig and the trucker were loading the last load of corn. This was the ‘bonus’ load, the load that rewarded Craig and Valerie for their hard work. No one really knows what happened. Somehow Craig was sucked in…………Valerie lost her soul mate and three little girls lost their daddy. Craig was a man of humor, laughter and loyalty. He was loyal to God, his church and the youth of his community as a Kids Klub leader for sixteen years. He loved the great state of Nebraska and the Cornhuskers. He loved the cowboy way of life and the values learned by working hard. But next to his love of God, his greatest love was for his wife, girls, and his family. It is in his honor and to continue his legacy of life, love and laughter that a foundation has been established. Craig’s Kids Foundation will not only be used to help educate his girls but also continue his legacy with Kids Klub and Rodeo Bible Camp. Contributions may be sent to Carla Livingston Pence, 375 NE 50 RD, Harper, KS 67058. You may also visit the web site at craigskidsfoundation.com. From there you may view a video tribute and make a contribution to the fund. |
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