Funeral services for Warren “Corky” Richie, 88 of Mobridge, SD will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24 from 6-8:00 pm with a prayer service at 8:00 pm at Kesling Funeral Home. A Celebratioin of Life will be held on July 27 from 2-4:00 pm at the Clear Lake Community Center, Clear Lake, SD.  Corky died on July 12, 2024 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Warren Bryce Richie (Corky) of Mobridge, SD, was born December 12, 1935, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Bryce and Florence (Warren) Richie. Corky had one sister, Sharon Richie Oberaigner, who was two years younger than him.  When he was 6 years old he moved with his parents and sister to Minneapolis, MN. He purchased his first horse with the money he earned by working hard at several jobs.  While his classmates spent their time in school sports, Corky spent his time before and after school at the arena with his horse where he learned to be a “cowboy”. Corky joined the Air National Guard located in So. St. Paul in July of 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1964.

He met his first love, Lucille Engeseth, who were married on November 21, 1959. Three children were born of this union. During that time, Corky continued to work construction and joined the RCA rodeo association.  Lucille passed in 1975 from breast cancer.  Corky stayed on the ranch, raising his three children, doing construction, and following his passion of rodeo.

In 1979, Corky met Sharon Grunewaldt Bethke of Clear Lake, SD, who was a single mom with four daughters, still at home.  They were married October 3, 1980, where they blended their families and continued to live on the ranch near Tunnerville. Corky spent many a summer evening helping young people who were in 4-H and high school rodeo practice.  He was on the rodeo board of 4-H and High School rodeo in Watertown, SD.  Through a friend, he came out west where he met lifelong friends and other cowboys in the area.

Corky and Sharon started Richie Livestock Equipment, Inc, in 1983, with two friends from MN.  He designed the pens and alleys for the veterinary services. The booth at the SD state fair was introducing people to the benefits of the equipment and over the years became a gathering place for rodeo friends, customers, family, and anyone who needed a spot to rest, get a cup of coffee, or a bottle of cold water.  Corky didn’t like crowds, but once you knew him he could spend hours talking about rodeo, ranching, cattle, hunting, or his family. He was a skilled ferrier and trimmed and shoed his own horses. Corky also had become an auctioneer.

In 2006 he received two awards. One at the Watertown Winter Show as well as being honored by the Watertown Area team sorting members on the first day of the National American Cowboy with a beautiful bronze for his dedication to youth rodeo.  He was so humbled by this award that he didn’t mention it again until just recently. Corky also broke the arena record for steer wrestling at the Crystal Springs Rodeo near Clear Lake in 1973 with a time of 3.8 seconds. That record stood for 25 years.

He always looked forward to branding and hunting seasons. His retirement years were spent in Mobridge, SD, where he and Sharon moved to in September of 2019.  He was a member of the Burger King coffee group and spent hours on the Bickel ranch, riding the beautiful pastures with his grandchildren.  He took his last ride on Newt, on October 18, 2023, and attended his last branding that year as well, roping and pulling calves to the branding pot.  He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grands. He attended many various activities and was always up for a card or board game.  Cork was a private man with a deep faith in the Lord and lived his life according to the cowboy code.   He was member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge.

Corky is survived by his wife of over 43 years, Sharon, and his children – Laurie (Bill) Bickel of Trail City, SD; Leslie (Keith) Reuer of Reliance, SD; Jason (Leslie) of Bristol, SD; Vickie (Nick) Vigna of Phoenix, Az; Lee(Pam) Bethke of Baltic, SD; Lisa (Jim) Heyn of Watertown, SD; Robyn (Rob) Frease of Clear Lake, SD; Melody (Vin) Perry of Bancroft, SD;  22 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Richie, daughter Michelle Bethke, son Rick Bethke, his parents Bryce and Florence Richie, his sister Sharon Oberaigner, Walter and Retha Grunewaldt of Ethan, SD, Wilma Grunewaldt of Mitchell, numerous aunts and uncles, and most recently his Corgi, Skye.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Youth Rodeo in care of the Richie Family.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse