Alice Riege, 101

Alice Riege, age 101, a longtime resident of the Kilgore and Crookston areas, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Garden County Health Services Hospital in Oshkosh, NE.

Visitation was held at Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. A private service celebrated Alice’s life at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 21, 2025, at Holmes Funeral Chapel with Pastor Andrew Utecht officiating. Burial followed at Zion Lutheran Cemetery south of Crookston.

Alice was born on February 22, 1924, at Kilgore, NE. She was the third of four children born to her parents, William and Fannie (Satra) Laleff. Charlie and Wally were her older brothers and Mary was her younger sister. When Alice was almost five years old her mother passed away and she was then raised by her stepmother Mary (Satra) Laleff.

Alice was baptized on May 27, 1924, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Francis, SD.

She attended grade schools at Kilgore and graduated from Kilgore High School in 1942. By attending two summer sessions at Chadron Teachers College, Alice earned her teaching certificate. She taught at several rural elementary schools in the Kilgore area and later was a substitute teacher at District 45 south of Crookston.

On January 7, 1950, Alice married Leonard C. Riege at Ainsworth, NE. The couple welcomed two daughters, Carol in 1953 and Kristine in 1958. Leonard and Alice enjoyed thirty- two years of marriage on their ranch south of Kilgore before Leonard’s death on December 31, 1982.

Alice remained on the home place and eventually moved to an apartment in Valentine. After the age of 98, she joined assisted living, followed by nursing home care.

Alice was a longtime member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at Crookston. Leonard and Alice raised their family in the Christian faith, knowing Christ as their Savior. Alice was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and taught children’s Sunday school for many years. When the church closed its doors on February 18, 2018, Alice transitioned to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Valentine.

Alice was Leonard’s helpmate and her daughters’ mentor. She loved rural country life from childhood on, which inspired her to be the wife and mother she was. The daily chores of cooking, baking, canning, milking cows, hitching a team, riding horses, raising cattle and chickens, chopping wood, haying, gardening, sewing, and crafting all brought her much satisfaction. She was a 4-H leader also.

Later in life, she took a small engines class and painting classes.

Those left behind to cherish Alice’s memory are her daughters: Carol Kyser of Oshkosh and Kristine Colburn of Valentine; grandchildren, Cheryl (Jon) Kyser Rolf, Carrie (Matt) Kyser Weeks with Chloe; Seth (Hillary) Colburn with Alyssa, Hailey and Saylor; Mark (Amanda) Colburn with Clara and twins Melanie and Jessie; and Joni (Kris) Kaczanowski with Kayla. Plus, a host of nephews, nieces and many dear friends.

Preceding Alice in her death were her parents, stepmother, two brothers and one sister, husband, and sons-in-law, Keith Colburn and Dale Kyser.

Memorials may be made in care of the family to Our Savior Lutheran Church or the Garden County Health Services Nursing Home. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine was entrusted with the arrangements.