Obituary for Taryn “Ty” Teigen

Taryn “Ty” Teigen
August 24, 1963 – July 8, 2012

After a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Taryn Teigen, 48, passed away peacefully in Canada with Janie at her side. She had spent the weekend visiting with her rodeo family, attending the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo.

She was born in Kimball, NE, and moved to Scottsbluff as a young child. She attended school there and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1981. Ty attended Chadron State College for a year then moved to Denver. She completed her studies there and received her Bachelor of Science degree at Metropolitan State College of Denver with a double major in computer science and accounting. Before her illness she was employed as manager of CPT Software Development at McKesson Corporation in Westminister, Colorado.

Her passion was horses and she was an avid rodeo contestant, competing in events across the US & Canada. Her trophy case contained a several All-Around Cowgirl champion buckles and many event buckles. Winning the first of her All-Around Cowgirl awards during the 2003 Calgary Rodeo, with her proud Dad in the stands.

Ty often spoke of the gift of the IGRA “Family” in her life and she responded with hard work in many different areas. She served on the CGRA Board of Directors as Metro Outreach Chair, Rodeo Events Chair, Membership Chair, & two terms as President. She was instrumental in the formation of the CGRA Rocky Mountain Challenge Barrel Race held in conjunction with RMRR. Her skills have also been utilized on the International level, serving as IGRA Contestant Liaison, an IGRA University instructor and Rodeo Rules Co-Chair. She will be honored as the Grand Marshal of the 30th Anniversary Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, July 12 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 9200 W. 10th Ave., Lakewood, Colorado. She is survived by, Janie Van Santen of Dewinton, Canada; mother & stepfather Diane & Clarence Huesman of Torrington; brother Todd Teigen of Yuma, AZ; as well as her “rodeo husband” Ken Pool of Denver. She was preceded in death by her sister, Tracy Teigen Woodard and her father, Dr. Lee Teigen.

A memorial is planned for a “Ty Teigen Memorial Barrel Race” in Denver to be held at a later date. Proceeds of that event will be donated to a charity, as yet undetermined, in her name.