February 12, 2022

Some photos speak more than words.

Such is the case with this one that Vickie Close sent us last week.  Most handlers that compete at the Meeker Classic know these two. Pat and Ila Sturgeon have provided the practice field for the Meeker Classic since 2006. On their ranch west of town in Powell Park, Pat and Ila set up a practice course for handlers to work their dogs on while in Meeker. Scheduling times for practice is ritual that many handlers look forward to each year. Not only do they get to work their dogs, but they get the opportunity to visit with Pat and Ila. It’s a hard call on what holds the greater attraction – the visits or the work! Needless to say, these handlers that come to Meeker have found friendship and wisdom in their time spent on the practice field down in Powell Park.

Pat and Ila’s story is a heart warming affirmation on the value of a true partnership and love.

Introduced by a mutual friend Spud Proctor they first met 63 years ago. Pat Sturgeon was 19 then – a young man working on his family’s sheep ranch at Axial Basin and Wilson Creek about 20 miles northeast of Meeker and Ila Chamberlain, was from Rifle and a schoolgirl of 15 years – she was young, but obviously knew her mind. Recognizing each other from trips to the Rifle Sale Barn, their first date was a movie in Glenwood Springs. A year later, on August 11, 1960 they were married. Both were underage (Pat then 20 and Ila 16) they eloped to Grand Junction, Colorado and came back to work and live on Pat’s family’s ranch.

Pat and Ila trailed their sheep from Meeker to the Red Desert in Wyoming in the fall.

It was there that Ila set up housekeeping in a sheep camp as a newlywed. Spending the winters in Wyoming and trailing back to Colorado for spring and summer, the migratory life of western sheep ranching became Pat and Ila’s life. When children came, Ila had to stay a bit closer to home – yet the sheep continued as their life’s work as they raised the two girls. Pat’s parents, George and Esther Sturgeon retired and sold the ranch in the early 70’s. Pat and Ila were able to travel with their family to Canada for a couple summers, traveling by RV and seeing the country. Pat worked on sheep ranches and construction for a while and then, like most who have it in their blood – got back into the sheep business and bought the place in Powell Park where they still live today.

Their sheep traveled West now to the Utah Desert for the wintertime.

Spring came and they trailed back up to Meeker and beyond to Burro Mountain where they grazed for the summer and fall. Nothing was trucked, they trailed both ways – logging many a mile on the roads between the winter and summer ranges. They had a few herders that worked for them, but Pat told his girls, “None of the herders works harder than your mom.” And so, mostly they did it all by themselves. Pat settled his sheep into their bedding ground each night at dusk, waiting until everyone was settled and then he’d return home to the house or sheep camp.

Their family has grown now

– two daughters, Shawna and Nancy have given them 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Along the way, Jane Turnburke became a 3rd unofficially adopted daughter that shares a special place in their family. Over the years Pat and Ila have given time to their community – serving as steadfast advocates for youth and agriculture. Warm and genuine, Pat and Ila always have time to visit and volunteer in the community.

In recent years,

Pat and Ila have sold the bulk of their flock and permits to another range operation that continues today. Sheep continue to be their focus as a farm flock now, that they graze and grow close to home. The sheep wagon still sits at home for occasional use, and Pat and Ila’s days are still guided by the sheep and the season – spring lambing, summer hay, grazing, fall weaning and winter feeding. It’s a cycle of life, a labor of love that they’ve shared for 61 plus years together. What a treasure – to work side by side for 61 years! Here’s to many more.