Art Gorst
June 26, 1931 – January 10, 2026
Racing at the Calgary Stampede in 1980

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association is grieving the loss of former chuckwagon driver Art Gorst, who passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the age of 94.

Growing up in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Art became a self-taught teamster, as horses were commonly used for hauling hay and completing chores around the family farm. As a teenager, he witnessed the introduction of chuckwagon racing to the Meadow Lake Stampede in the mid-1940s, and Art became inspired and determined that one day he would have his own chuckwagon outfit and compete at his hometown show.

That dream was realized in 1967, when Art assembled his first chuckwagon outfit, composed primarily of saddle horses—which was not uncommon at the time—and made his debut as a chuckwagon driver at the Meadow Lake Stampede. Over the next several years, Art’s sons Chester and Gary Gorst, along with daughter May Gorst, followed his lead and began competing as outriders for their father, with Gary eventually picking up the lines as a driver beginning in 1970. Soon, the rest of Art’s family became involved in various aspects of chuckwagon racing. Daughter Lorna married chuckwagon driver Glen Delaronde, and along with Art’s wife Effie, daughter Jeanie, and son Lyle, chuckwagon racing became deeply woven into the fabric of the Gorst family for many years to come.

In 1970, Art decided to add more horsepower to his outfit and purchased his first Thoroughbreds from fellow driver Ray Croteau. However, in 1971 an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anemia, or Swamp Fever as it is commonly known as, swept through the Gorst ranch, resulting in the loss of the entire herd of chuckwagon and saddle horses. It was a devastating setback, but Art rebounded and was soon back competing once again.

Art was a member of the Meadow Lake Racing and Sports Association until 1975, when the Northern Chuckwagon Racing Association (NCRA)—the predecessor of the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA)—was formed, with Art serving as a founding member.

In 1978, Art was invited to compete at the 1979 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby. Needing additional horses, he traded five of his wife Effie’s milk cows to driver Sam Westgard in exchange for six chuckwagon horses. He was one of the original participants in the first-ever chuckwagon canvas auction, finishing as the seventh-highest selling chuckwagon that year. Art competed at the Calgary Stampede from 1979 to 1981, sharing driving duties with his son Gary.

Art drove his final official race at the Meadow Lake Stampede in 1984. In retirement, he remained active in the sport as a mentor to his son Gary and many grandsons as they embarked on their careers as chuckwagon drivers. In 1998, Art and Effie Gorst were honoured by the CPCA with a Gold Card Lifetime Membership.

Art Gorst will be remembered as the patriarch of the Gorst family chuckwagon legacy, which began nearly sixty years ago. From sons Chester and Gary, daughter May, sons-in-law Glen Delaronde, Dale Dyck, and Chinney Bremner, to grandchildren Leonard Delaronde, Logan and Dustin Gorst, Layne Bremner, Dallas Dyck, and now great-grandson Wyatt Dyck, all active competitors in the sport, the Gorst family has produced four generations of champion chuckwagon drivers and/or outriders, a legacy that continues to this day. Art’s contributions to chuckwagon racing are immeasurable through the family legacy he began, now entering its seventh decade.

Art is lovingly survived by his brother John (Barb) Gorst; his children Lyle (Debbie) Gorst, Gary (Janice) Gorst, Jeanie Gorst, May (Chinney Bremner) Gorst; son-in-law Glen Delaronde; and daughter-in-law Sandra Gorst.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Diana (Warren) Gorst-Wiltermuth, Brody Gorst, Leonard (Sherri) Delaronde, Lee (Lori) Delaronde, Jenay (Joel) Larsen, Tanya (Ross) Fisher, Kristen Gorst, Stacey (Todd) Sergent, Logan (Shalyn) Gorst, Dustin (Jaycee) Gorst, Jenalee (Phil) Blatz, Dean (Tara) Dyck, Dallas (Lexi) Dyck, and Layne (Bobbi) Bremner.

Art is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren: Trigger Delaronde, Brady (Daris) Delaronde, Jaysea Buffalo, Cameron Delaronde, Paula Delaronde, Therran (Bev) Delaronde, Justin (Lia) Wiltermuth, Mackenna (Adam) Wiltermuth, Kennedy Gorst, Waylon Gorst, Rylea Andersen, Tace Larsen, Talyn Larsen, Jade (John) McKay, Cassidy (Josh) Marsollier, Seth Fisher, Jordan (Nykyta) Gorst, Saydee Villeneuve, MacKenzie Gorst, Chestyn Sergent, Braunn Sergent, Skyler Sergent, Danika Gorst, Tayva Gorst, Myla Gorst, Klinch Gorst, Knox Gorst, Grey Gorst, Kaliya Blatz, Beaux Blatz, Emily Fedler, Alyssa (Ashton) Dyck, Parker Dyck, Tia (Bradyn) Dyck, Wyatt (Jaci) Dyck, Carter Bremner, and Cruze Bremner.

He is further survived by great-great-grandchildren Preslee Delaronde, Kase Fedler, Tripp McKay, and Baby McKay, who is expected to arrive on January 25, 2026.

The family invites everyone to celebrate Art’s life on February 3, 2026, at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre, 420 3 Street East, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, S9X 1H5 at 1:00 pm Brad Stevenot will officiate the service.

Art will be deeply missed by the chuckwagon community, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Gorst family.

Billy Melville

• Date : 2026-01-10
• Location : Meadow Lake, Sask.