It’s always been in her blood.

This weekend, Okarche native Linda Grellner-Walck returns to her roots at the Kingfisher Rodeo.

She won’t be barrel racing or sporting a crown as she did in 1978 as the first Sam Trent Memorial Rodeo queen.

However, she will play a big role, along with her husband Elved Walck, in the 67th annual event.

Sponsored by the Kingfi sher Rodeo and Roundup Club, the rodeo will begin at 8 p.m Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16-17, at the Kingfisher Roundup Club Arena.

Rusty Morland owner of Rockin’ R Pro Rodeo Co. is the stock contractor for the rodeo and the Walcks, along with Jodie Wright, will be supplying the bucking bulls each night.

The event is co-sanctioned by the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association (KPRA) and the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA).

A graduate of Okarche High School, Grellner-Walck is the daughter of Norbert and Pat Grellner of Okarche.

She and her husband reside on a cattle and horse ranch in Ada.

While in high school, Grellner-Walck raised and showed horses, participated in rodeos, played softball and basketball and worked on the family farm.

Other than a short span while raising her family, Grellner-Walck said she has spent most of her life raising cattle and horses, also devoting her time to training horses.

With cattle ranches in Ada and Lindsay, she and her husband raise ranch horses, commercial cows and registered Brangus bulls.

Although the Walcks have been supplying bulls for Rockin R’ rodeos for many years, this will be their first time at the Kingfi sher Rodeo.

“I’m excited to be back in Kingfisher,” Grellner- Walck said.

“I know a lot of people here and it’s cool to be back close to my hometown.”

Each night, spectators will have the opportunity to cheer on their favorite cowboys and cowgirls as they saddle up to compete in saddle bronc riding, bare-back riding, bull rid- ing, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and open team roping events.

( Ed. note: See events, ticket information and much more on the 2024 Kingfisher Rodeo on Page 3A.)

As Grellner-Walck works in the arena behind the scenes alongside the rest of the Rockin’ R crew, she said, “It’s been fun to get back into rodeo.

“You create a family and meet a lot of people that you see over and over each year, which is fun.”