Carl Frauen, 41, died January 14, 2017.

Carl Allen Frauen was born March 27, 1975, in Valentine, Nebraska to Monte Allen and Cathy J. Frauen. Carl went to elementary schools at Sparks and Norden. He attended Keya Paha County High School, in Springview. Carl played football, calf roped, team roped and steer wrestled.

Carl’s rodeo career started in high school. In 1990, he and team roping partner, Marty Jesperson were Reserve State Champions. In 1992, Carl and team roping partner Jeff Johnston, won the Nebraska High Rodeo State Championship. They went on to Shawnee, Oklahoma where they were Runners-Up for the National High School Rodeo Association Team Roping Championship. In 1993, Carl also qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals in calf roping, in Gillette, Wyoming.

After graduation, Carl joined the Mid-States and Nebraska State Rodeo Associations, where he competed in Steer Wrestling and Team Roping. He was a PRCA card holder for several years. He was the Mid-States Champion Steer Wrestler in 1996. In 1999, he was the NSRA Runner-up Champion Steer Wrestler. He won every go-round at the state finals that year.

Carl worked alongside his Dad, Monte and Grandpa, Otto on the Frauen Ranch. He was extremely proud to be able to purchase his own ranch, in 2013. He, Melissa and the kids worked hard to make improvements on the house, buildings and land. When he wasn’t ranching, Carl spent the majority of his time, hunting, fishing and trapping, with his favorite dogs, Taz and Pike. He enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with his closest friends. His friends and family meant everything to him.

He is survived by his parents Monte and Cathy Frauen; his sister Robyn and her children: Pake, Parker and Pryce Johnston; girlfriend Melissa Stephens and her children: Owen, Dakota and Laken; grandpa Otto Frauen; grandmother Doris Graham; aunt Sally and Keith Conner, aunt Patty and Neri Barstow, aunt Carolyn and Terry Belville, uncle Gary and Sherrie Graham and uncle Doug and Twyla Graham.

Cousins: Josh and Brecken Buysse, Joel and Carrie Buysse, Alan Conner, Quin Conner, Wyatt, Amanda and Wylie Barstow, Austin and Sierra Barstow, Pam, Jeff, Brent, Jessica and Tucker Hicks, JW, Sarah, Kenneth and Brycen Graham, Wendy Graham, Jeni, Jon and Riley Cox, Zeb, Lanell, Dalton, and Kwynn Graham, Angelina, Greg and Harper Wright.
Carl was preceded in death by his Grandma Ruth Frauen, Grandpa Howard Graham, Aunt Audrey Buysse, cousin Sheena Barstow and several close friends.

Services were held at 2pm Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the United Methodist Church with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine was entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences at www.HolmesFH.com.

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