Kent Phifer
Kent Lane Phifer was born Jan. 5, 1949 and left this world May 29, 2023.
He was born in Ainsworth, Neb. to Bernard and Meneda (Zoerb) Phifer, the fifth of six Phifer children.
The family moved to Mason City where Kent spent his childhood years ranching with his family and raising and showing Hereford cattle.
Kent graduated from Broken Bow High School, after the Mason City High School clsoed. He attended the University of Nebraska where he was a member of the rodeo team, before returning home to Mason City.
Kent married Elizabeth (Becky) Knight in 1970 and together they welcomed three children - Ty, Tana and Tari, before later divorcing.
His passion for raising and showing cattle led him to live and work in various locations from Roscoe, Mont. to Leoti,
Kan., before returning to the Phifer homestead in Mason City in 1994. Kent remained in Mason City until 2017 and retired to Loveland, Colo.
Anyone who met Kent will remember his ice blue eyes and his strong stature. His adventures showing cattle across the nation and clipping production cattle sales for large ranches always seemed to provide a story that he could tell with a gleam in his eye and smirk on his face.
Kent was preceeded in death by his parents and younger brother, Greg.
He is survived by son Ty and his wife Mary Phifer of Saratoga Springs, Uta, and their children; daughter Tana Seward and her husband Ryan of Roanoke, Texas and their family; daughter Tari Kirkpatrick and her husband Tom of Loveland, Colo., and their family; his beloved niece Jonnye Phifer of Lakewood, Colo.; and siblings Bernie, Sandy, Marlis and Marilyn and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Salers Junior Association in his memory, American Salers Assoc. P.O. Box 850, Big Horn, WY 82833.
A celebration of life will be held June 24 at the Custer County Fairgrounds, 3 p.m. at the Shooting Sports Building, 44100 Memorial Drive in Broken Bow.