4-H Steer Sells 39 Times to Honor 18-Year-Old's Life
Daniel Spitzer had three loves in his life: Jesus, family/friends and cowboying. But his sister likes to joke that his true love was his horse, Lena.
“He just lived life to the fullest every day. He didn’t care what others thought of him. If he liked it, he went with it,” says Hannah Lonker of Pratt, Kan.
When a tragic ATV accident took Spitzer’s life on July 4, the entire community mourned one of their best gone too soon at the age of 18. He showed cattle at the Pratt County Fair and was active in 4-H horse, leadership and citizenship projects, too. He had been working with his steer all summer in preparation for his last county fair steer show.
It only made sense to honor Spitzer’s life by walking his steer into the sale ring during the Pratt County Fair 4-H Livestock Auction. What happened that day was nothing short of amazing, Lonker says.
Hands kept flying into the air while his younger sisters Haley and Samantha Spitzer walked their brother’s steer around the sale ring. His steer sold 39 times, bringing in more than $62,000.
“I honestly don’t have any other words to describe it. My family and I are completely blown away from the amount of support for Daniel’s Legacy,” Lonker says.
The $62,000 will serve as the foundation for Daniel’s Legacy, a mentoring support fund for youth in Daniel Spitzer’s memory, explain his parents, Brian and Loretta. They are setting up the program to help cover costs for youth to be able to attend camps, conventions, clinics, meetings and more. The program isn’t limited to Pratt County or even Kansas, his parents point out. They plan to build Daniel’s Legacy into a nationwide program, helping a variety of kids.
“The Pratt County community pulls together whenever there is a need. This summer has been a prime example of that. We are a small town that takes care of its own. I wish everyone could experience the love and support from small town Pratt, Kan.,” Lonker says.
Spitzer was well-liked by his peers, the Pratt Tribune reports. Fellow 4-Hers bid on Daniel’s steer, too, spending the money they had just earned by selling their own animals in the premium auction.
As his family moves forward, nursing broken hearts and crushed dreams, Lonker says they couldn’t make it without their faith.
“My family and I have faith and hope we get to see Daniel again. That’s what has kept us going, along with family and friends and our community who have prayed and supported us through this extremely hard time,” she says. “My family and I are cowboys, we’re tough as nails. We hurt, but we know that together we can get through this and one day we can see Daniel again.”
He was the best brother, Lonker says, and an example for others. She hopes their loss can be a reminder to others about priorities and the importance of community.
“He definitely was one of a kind,” she adds. “He never knew a stranger.”
Learn more about Daniel’s Legacy on Facebook.
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