Recognition of Girletz Family at Hanna Rodeo
By Doug Young
Wilf Girletz was a three-time Canadian All-Around champion, and five-time bull riding champion, and still shares the record for most Canadian titles in this event. He was also a stock contractor specializing in bucking bulls, Wilf's bull #013 Blaster was named the bull-of-the-year in Canada for 1990, and in 1991 #00 Double Ott was voted No. 1 by the bull riders.
Raised on a farm north of Calgary, Wilf Girletz first entered the professional rodeo arena in 1946 and pocketed day money in the novice saddle bronc at High River, AB.
In back: Riley Tye, Brittany Girletz, Wendy Girletz
Front row: Jack Rosehill (friend of Stratten’s), Stratten Girletz, Keller Tye, Lennix Girletz, Ray Girletz, Quade Tye, Wyatt Girletz, Maxine Girletz, Tanner Girletz, Randy Girletz, Cabrie Tye, Savanna Tye Rowyn Girletz, Peggy Rehill, presenting picture, and Travis Warburton
Maxine’s family unable to attend: Ryley, Kendra, Treyson, Jersey and Finley Girletz. Glenda, Doug Philbrook, Staci, Miles, and Lewis Smith, Shannon, Ryan, Heidi, Lainey and Cooper Moloney. Verla and Sara Girletz
Ray Girletz, Quade Tye, Wyatt Girletz, Kevin Girletz, Maxine Girletz, Tanner Girletz, behind him Randy Girletz, Peggy Rehill, then Savanna Girletz.
From there he competed steadily in rodeos across Canada and the United States winning money, trophies and recognition in the bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling and calf roping. He was the Canadian bull riding champion in 1948, '50, '51 ' 52 and '55, and also captured the All-Around title in 1950, '55 and '57. He was among the top five competitors in the Canadian standings for over a decade from 1948 to 1960. Along with competing in the five major events, Wilf also competed in the wild horse racing and wild cow milking events. He won the Canadian wild cow milking championship in 1965 and '66.
In 1957, Girletz bought a ranch north of Youngstown, AB, and together with his wife Maxine, raised a family of four. When his three sons Randy, Ray, and Kevin became interested in riding, he started to keep a few bulls. It was the beginning of Girletz Rodeo Stock, one of the major players in the rodeo game. It was at this time that their home rodeo, the Corral 69 rodeo held right at the ranch also become famous.
The Girletz’s always did things as a family and when Wilf decided that the Hanna Indoor Rodeo needed his help it was done with full support of Maxine, the boys and ultimately the Grandchildren. After Wilf’s passing the rest of the family took up the slack at the Hanna Pro Rodeo and have all been a major part of the rodeo production for over 40 years.
Tonight we recognize the Girletz family for their legacy of hard work and dedication to the Hanna Pro Rodeo. 2025 is the first year without a Girletz on the production crew. The end of an era certainly but perhaps a new beginning—as two of the Great-grandchildren are entered in this year’s Junior Steer Riding -Lennix Girletz and Quade Tye.
