Stampede honors Bechtels

Joe and Phyllis Bechtel are the grand marshals of this year’s Elgin Stampede. Photo/TRISH YERGES

“We decided we needed to take our turn when they asked us,” said Phyllis. “It was an honor.”

The consensus is that they earned the honor. Joe became a Stampede member and rode in the drill team while he was still in high school. Phyllis began her association with the Stampeders working as an usherette, seating people in the old grandstands when the rodeo was held at Moore Field. It was an extension of their ranching and western lifestyle. 

Both Joe and Phyllis were born to area ranchers, Ora and Sadie Bechtel and Milton and Cloe Phippen. After high school, Joe continued working on his parents’ ranch on Cricket Flat. He married Phyllis, his high school sweetheart, in 1953, and they lived up on the Bechtel home place where they raised their three daughters, Vickie (Hook) now of Sheridan, Shellie (Rysdam) of Hermiston and Tammie (McEnroe) of Baker City.

Since then, they have made the Elgin Stampeders part of their family life, contributing hundreds of hours as participants or volunteers at the rodeo and annual fundraising events.  Each can recount numerous fond memories of their membership with the Stampeders.

Phyllis was chairman of the souvenir program for many years and still helps gather ads for the book.

A great memory for Joe involved riding in the suicide race against Dick Hibberd, who won that year. He also enjoyed competing with his team of horses in the horse-pulling event. Joe was rodeo chairman and co-chairman for more than six years before taking the presidency in 1975 and 1976.

“For me the draw is the rodeo itself,” said Joe. “I used to be the pick-up man who picked up riders who fell off their horses.”

All of these fun facts and more are being recorded by Phyllis, who has become one of the primary historians for the Stampeders. She has saved every program since 1953 and maintained a written history for posterity. After all, she was rodeo queen No. 7 in 1953, and since then she’s participated in just about every crab feed, steak feed and potluck the club has hosted.

“I have been the chairperson of the crab feed and served and made many salads,” said Phyllis. “Joe volunteered washing the dishes or seating people. It’s been fun meeting people you don’t see but once a year at these feeds. They come from everywhere.”

Participating with the Elgin Stampeders has been a family affair for the Bechtels. In fact, Joe can make a claim that perhaps few others can.

“I had two sisters, a niece, my wife and my three daughters all serve as rodeo queen over the years,” he said.

Joe’s sister, Joyce, was the second queen in 1947, sister Vernetta was queen in 1956 and niece Marlena was queen in 1969. Daughters Vickie reigned as queen in 1972, Shellie in 1976 and Tammie in 1981. Tammie later got married at the Stampede Hall in 1986. All three of the Bechtel daughters are still active with horses and are raising a third generation of team ropers and barrel racers.

The Bechtels will preside over the Stampede rodeo and parade events during the July 9-12 weekend. At the parade on Sunday, July 12, beginning at 11 a.m., Joe will be riding Smoke, a dapple-gray, and Phyllis will be riding Shorty, a sorrel with flax mane and tail.

Tickets are on sale by contacting either of the two queen candidates, Katie Case at 541-786-3214 or Jesica Bingham at 541-398-1686. Tickets purchased in advance are $2 less than at the gate.