07/21/2026
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to one of the true cornerstones of the Grande Prairie Stompede.
Bernie Benson dedicated more than four decades of her life to this organization. From joining as the 1979 Chuckwagon Queen (Stompede Sue) to serving as a board member, secretary, and, most recently, our Director of Volunteers, Bernie poured her heart into the Stompede and the community she loved.
Bernie was never afraid to speak her mind. She believed deeply in preserving the traditions of the Stompede while always advocating for what she felt was right. Her honesty, unwavering commitment, and fierce dedication helped shape our organization into what it is today.
More than the titles she held or the countless hours she volunteered, Bernie was a keeper of our history. She carried the stories, traditions, and spirit of the Grande Prairie Stompede, ensuring they were passed from one generation to the next. Her passion was contagious, and her presence made every board meeting, event, and volunteer gathering stronger.
While we were incredibly fortunate to celebrate Bernie's remarkable contributions during her lifetime, including her Lifetime Achievement Award, her greatest legacy is the impact she leaves on the people and the organization she cared for so deeply.
The Grande Prairie Stompede will not be the same without her. Her voice, wisdom, and unwavering dedication will be profoundly missed, but her legacy will live on in every volunteer, every event, and every tradition she helped build.
On behalf of the Grande Prairie Stompede Association, we extend our deepest condolences to Bernie's family, friends, and everyone whose lives she touched.
Her dedication, passion, and love for the Stompede will never be forgotten.
