Bernard “Bernie” Fredrick Riley
June 18, 1934 – August 11, 2018
Born in eastern Montana into a cattle ranching family, Bernie was a happy, cheerful child who grew to become a cattle rancher in his own right. Fiercely independent, Bernie chose to live on his own from the age of 15 so he could attend high school in Miles City rather than in the country. He had a lot of friends and was a good student. Bernie supported himself working weekends for several local ranchers, namely the Camerons, and cleaning out the town fish hatchery. Winning the Miles City high school rodeo “All Around Cowboy” belt buckle in his senior year, 1950, was one of his proudest achievements. His skills shoeing horses came in handy when as a young man he struck out for adventure with pal Tom Dudley bound for upstate New York where they worked at the Hidden Valley Dude Ranch. Bernie was responsible for keeping 70 horses shod and performed for the guests in the weekend rodeos, participating in the team roping and steer wrestling competitions. It was there he met Diane LeBuis whom he married in 1959. Bernie and Diane moved back to Montana, working for several area ranchers before purchasing their own ranch near Ekalaka. Together with their four children, they moved to Billings in 1969 where Bernie managed a feedlot and later established his own feedlot operation. Missing the ranching life he returned to his ranch in 1974 which he operated independently until 1994 when he moved to Miles City due to health reasons. There, Bernie enjoyed the steady companionship of his many lifelong friends and neighbors, playing innumerable games of whist and pinochle at the Senior Citizens Drop-in Center, and regular visits from his family. Bernie died peacefully in his home with his daughter Kim at his side. He is survived by his daughters Kim Kolstad and Kelly Nelson, sons Clark and Brian Riley, sisters Helen (Melvin) Green, Beverly (Gary, dec.) Green, Carol Lynn Fellows, and Marcella (Jim) Correa. Bernie is also survived by nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Bernie was preceded in death by their parents Dwight and Alice (Ketchum) Riley, and older brother Robert Riley. Bernie will missed by his family and friends who will most remember his indomitable spirit, fierce determination, and a wry sense of humor turning a phrase with artful cuss words only as needed and where acceptable. He was one tough man.
A celebration of Bernie’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 18th, 2018 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, followed by a reception at the Range Riders Museum. Bernie’s ashes will be laid to rest in the Custer County Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Miles City Senior Citizens Center or the Range Riders Museum.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday August 18, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday August 18, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Susan Sanderson says
I am sorry to hear of Bernie’s passing. He was one of my favorite clients. He will be missed. RIP Bernie.
Mary Snell says
So sad to hear of Bernie’s passing. RIP Bernie.
GARY AND PAT HELM AND FAMILY says
RIP BERNIE ,HAD SO MUCH FUN PLAYING CARDS WITH YOU , MAY YOUR FAMILY BE BLESSED WITH THEIR MEMORIES OF YOU
Sonny Lockwood and Sandy Stahl says
Our thoughts are with you.
Patti (Green) Ireland says
Aunt Beverly and Aunt Helen, I’m so sorry that your brother has passed. I wish I could be there to give you a big hug. I pray that God will wrap you in His arms and give you comfort and peace.
Patti
Peggy Gieser "O"Dea" says
To Bernie’s family; I am sorry fpr your loss. He was one of my favorite patients. He had so many stories to tell. I know he is no longer in pain or worrying that he would “leak.” Please accept my sympathies and prayers.
JoAnn Daeley says
I am so sorry to hear about Bernie. I played many card games with him at the drop in center. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed. My sincere sympathy to the family.
Cara Willson says
Bernie was always fun to visit with. No matter what bad luck came his way, he always turned it into a positive. He will be missed!
Bob and Charlotte says
Beverly and Helen so sorry to see where you lost your brother. Our sincere sympathy.
Shannon Holmen says
I so enjoyed visiting with him, I will miss him also.
Linda Rogers says
Bernie was fun to visit with, he rented from my mother and myself so visited often through the years, I was
inspired by his determination to overcome any problem he faced. Deepest sympathy to the Green family.
Diana R. Elwood says
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I have had a couple of good visits with Bernie and I never knew who he was. My condolences to the whole family.
Vicki Glueckert says
I believe Bernie and my dad Tom Dudley could have wrote a book about their adventures “back east”. I am sure they are enjoying a cold beer and telling stories on the other side. The world lost another true cowboy. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jodi Woosley says
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Bernie. We live just down the block from him. My son would stop and take in packages and mail to him on his way home from school periodically, which in turn would get him in trouble until I found out where he was because he would be late as Bernie would want to discuss his day at school or remind him how important it is. ?. We also shovelled all his walks in the winter. He was always so grateful!!!! We will miss his smiling face in the neighborhood. RIP Bernie we will miss our visits.
The Woosleys
Doty Klein says
Berny and I became friends one of his many trips to Mayo Clinic …. I am my family loved him and he spend many times with us .. Christmas when he was here … family events … visits to Woodland Bible Camp my sister and brother in law started …. out to dinner … He sent or brought me his “cut of blue jeans” and they were given to quilters I know … one being my daughter who made one with sheep on it … he joked a lot about being a “one legged sheep herder” and that is why we gifted it to him …. We will miss him … as I am sure you all do …. he was loved greatly by all of us . So very sorry for your loss. I feel badly that I didn’t realize until I tried to contact him that he had passed away … he would laugh …. it was his turn to call