Dennis Andersen

Dennis Andersen and his wife and children moved to the Cokeville valley in 1968. At that time, the rodeo had been going for several years as it was run by the church in conjunction with the Pioneer Day festivities. Soon after moving to Cokeville, Dennis found himself running the stripping chutes with friends Frank Lazcanotegui and Orson Nate, Sr. Orson helped out for a few years (with that particular job), but the majority of the time it was Frank and Dennis in charge of the stripping chutes. Those two held that job at the rodeo for 23 years.

Back when they were working the chutes, the arena ran North-South, and the gates and panels weren’t quite to the caliber that they are at present. Dennis said that the broncs would come through the alley and they would have to put a stick behind them to get them stopped where they could pull the riggings off the horses. But they worked tirelessly year after year, enjoying every minute of working together and helping out the Cokeville rodeo.

Dennis only worked one year under the newly formed Cokeville Stock & Saddle Club, so the vast majority of his 23 years was under the original rodeo format. He spent a lot of time reminiscing about the different ranchers in the valley coming together with their own cattle and stock to use as broncs, bulls, steers, and calves — Buckleys, Petersons, and Tolmans to name a few. He also named many great men who were key in producing the rodeos back in those days. We look forward to honoring them as well.

Without a doubt, the Cokeville Rodeo couldn’t have run smoothly without guys like Dennis Andersen volunteering their time and talents every year.

We remember you working those stripping chutes every year for 32 years Dennis, and we sincerely thank you.