GREAT FALLS — Sparky and Diane Kottke have spent much of their lives showing up for other people.
As educators and coaches, they helped shape generations of students and athletes. As longtime supporters of rodeo and horse racing in Great Falls, they've volunteered countless hours behind the scenes. And when friends have gone through difficult times, the Kottkes have simply found ways to help.
On the final night of the 2026 Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup, it was their turn to be recognized.
HEAR FROM THE KOTTKE FAMILY:
Sparky and Diane were named this year's recipients of the Rocky Heckman Perseverance, Character and Hope belt buckle, an annual honor recognizing people who embody the qualities of the late Great Falls rodeo advocate.
The honor comes as Diane battles metastatic stage 4 breast cancer and continues chemotherapy.
“When it first happened, I was overwhelmed,” Diane said. “But I have a great village, I have great friends. So I think you get through it like that.”
A special connection
For Lorell Heckman, whose late husband Rocky is the namesake of the award, choosing the Kottkes carried special meaning.
When Rocky was battling cancer, Sparky and Diane were among the people who stepped up to help the Heckman family.
“These two people just came alongside of us,” Lorell said. “They were amazing. They just stepped up, and it was a total indicator of what their whole life has been like — just how they give and they share and the friends that they are.”
Diane and Lorell would walk together in the mornings, giving Lorell a friend to talk with about what she was going through.
Sparky found other ways to help. He plowed Lorell's driveway, mowed her lawn and was there when she needed help with things she was suddenly learning to handle on her own.
“I didn't ever feel like I was putting them out or asking for too much,” Lorell said. “They just were always there for me.”
That willingness to help has extended throughout the Kottkes' lives.
Both spent their careers in education, while Sparky also coached generations of young athletes. The couple became longtime supporters and volunteers for rodeo and horse racing in Great Falls.
Sparky said they never did any of it expecting recognition.
“Character to me is always trying to be the best person you can be,” he said. “And when people need help, you go out and give them a hand and not worry about if you're going to get anything back from that.”
Learning to accept help
Now, the Kottkes find themselves on the other side of that equation.
Diane began experiencing swelling in her left arm more than a year ago and was eventually diagnosed with cancer late last year. The diagnosis came years after she had previously undergone a double mastectomy.
Since then, there have been encouraging scans and difficult ones. Diane remains in chemotherapy treatment and is scheduled for another scan in September.
Maintaining the hope engraved on their new belt buckle isn't always easy.
“I don't know if I do very well sometimes,” Diane said. “It's very frustrating.”
But the couple hasn't faced the fight alone.
Their children have traveled home to spend extended stretches with them. Friends have offered meals and visits. Former students and athletes Sparky coached decades ago have reached out to check on them.
“We don't have a village, we have a city,” Sparky said. “There's so many people out there that we get letters and cards from people that you don't even hardly remember that you've known in your past, and they're just wishing the best for her and giving her their prayers.”
For two people accustomed to helping others, accepting that support has required some adjustment.
Sparky acknowledged they are still learning to say yes when someone offers to help. At home, he's also taken on new responsibilities as Diane goes through treatment.
“He's totally been my rock through a lot of things,” Diane said.
A standing ovation
That support was on full display during the final night of the Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup.
Sparky and Diane were brought into the arena as their story and contributions to the community were shared with a packed grandstand.
Then the crowd rose to its feet.
“Just knowing that the stands were packed,” Diane said, “I have never, ever seen anybody where there was a standing ovation for something like that. That really was truly inspiring.”
For Sparky, the moment was emotional.
“I usually don't get very teary, but I did that night,” he said. “It was truly an honor to be recognized by some very good friends.”
For Lorell, the qualities represented by the award — perseverance, character and hope — are the same ones she has watched the Kottkes demonstrate for years.
“They never complain about anything,” Lorell said. “They just do it with a sincere, grateful heart, and they are just encouragers.”
It’s why, years after Sparky and Diane quietly showed up for Lorell and Rocky Heckman during some of their family’s most difficult days, Lorell wanted an arena full of people to recognize the Kottkes during theirs.
“They just instill that hope and encouragement in everybody that they meet,” she said.
Rocky's Road Perseverenace Character and Hope Award - previous recipients
2020 - No rodeo
