Howard Conrad Haythorn, Patriarch of Best Remuda-winning Haythorn Ranch Co. passes away at 98.
Howard Conrad Haythorn, 98, of Maxwell, Nebraska, passed away on September 8, 2026. He went to meet his Lord in his sleep at home. Howard always said he wanted to pass away at his ranch, and the Lord answered his prayer. Howard was born to Harry and Anna Emaline (Menter) Haythorn on October 31, 1927. Howard started ranching after attending St. John’s Military Academy in Salina, Kansas. St John’s was a private Episcopal boarding school for boys in grades 6 through 12. At St. John’s he excelled in academics, sports and as a young commander.
Howard was always remembered by his cousin Waldo Haythorn as “Cuz,” and this was always a very important nickname for Howard. They were very close and always considered themselves as brothers.
Howard married Sue Ann Cochran on February 10, 1951, in Sutherland, Nebraska. Howard and Sue Ann had three children: Mary Helen, Margaret and Harry Byron. Shortly after being married in February, he was called to serve in the United States Army in Korea. He served his military duties with the Corps of Engineers. After his military service, he returned to the ranch. Howard always had a love for a good horse and could always name his favorites with no hesitation. Therefore, Haythorn Ranch Co. was recognized as a Best Remuda Award recipient by the American Quarter Horse Association in 2009.
In 2023, Howard was honored by AQHA as a breeder of American Quarter Horses for more than 80 years. Howard was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City and was honored with the Trail Boss Award at NebraskaLand Days in North Platte, Nebraska. He was a gold card member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He, his father, cousin, nephew, uncle and his grandfather have all been inducted into the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the American Legion and Masonic Lodge.
Howard was very active in the sport of rodeo. He was a steer roping and tie-down roping competitor and roped in the National Finals Steer Roping. He also competed in team roping and showed cutting horses. Howard had two favorite rodeos: Pendleton, Oregon, and when he still roped calves, he liked the Ak-Sar-Ben rodeo in Omaha, Nebraska.
Margaret lives in Kenesaw, Nebraska, and Harry and his wife, Londa, live a quarter mile east of where Howard lived on the ranch.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother and infant sister, his wife, his sister Patricia and brother-in-law Don Campbell, his daughter Mary Helen, brothers and sisters-in-laws George and Emma Cochran, Beldora and Waldo Haythorn, Jane and Bryce Lundell.
Left to cherish his memory are his two children, Margaret Ruh of Kenesaw, Nebraska, and Harry (Londa) of Maxwell, Nebraska; grandchildren Ahna Ruh, Walker Ruh, Harry Marshall (Josie), Emily (Brett) Collins, and Ambrea (Levi) Nelson; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces Sally Haythorn, Sandy (Gordon) Walsh, Cathy (Tom) Kerwin and Judy (Jerry) Shannon; and nephew Craig (Jody) Haythorn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. John’s Military Academy Museum, Brady and Maxwell Fire and Rescue and the Senior Steer Roping Association.
–AQHA
