Richard L. "Dick" Griebe Sr.

Richard L. “Dick” Griebe, 90, formerly of Lake Minatare, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Wheatland, Wyoming. Cremation has taken place. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Dick’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Richard was born on July 22, 1935, to Frank and Lana (Sutton) Griebe in Decatur, Nebraska. Dick was born into the family as the youngest of five children. In time, he would gain another two brothers.

Life wasn’t always easy for the family as Dick’s father was handicapped but a hard-working man who taught him the value of hard work and determination. The family was close and very loving, as evidenced by the relationships they shared throughout life. Dick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps prior to the age of majority and was discovered in boot camp to have altered his birth certificate. He was discharged only to enter again when he turned eighteen.

After his stint as an Automatic Rifleman, Dick traveled to the Greeley, Colorado area where he soon met Bonnie D. Smith of Lafayette, Colorado. They were married on July 27, 1957. Dick was working at Carlson Frink Dairy out of Windsor, Colorado when Richard L. Griebe Jr. was born in 1958. The couple soon moved to the Boulder and Lafayette area, where Dick worked in the lawn sprinkler business. He saw an opportunity, borrowed a shovel and a van from his employer, and started his own lawn sprinkler business. In 1960, Nathaniel “Troy” Griebe was born, followed in 1962 by the birth of a daughter, Ledare Lynnette. To supplement income for the growing family, Dick became a firefighter for the City of Boulder, Colorado.

Dick had a very warm personality and got along with about everyone. His business had grown to a point where he soon employed his younger brother as a salesman and Bonnie as his full-time office manager. He also employed quite a number of young men looking for experience. He always did his best in the seasonal industry to give all of them continued employment even in the winter months. He built manifolds and had employees service vehicles and equipment to save money and help them in a seasonal business while also keeping the family fed.

Dick envisioned a business he could help other installers and contractors and founded Western P.I.P.E. Supply in Boulder and sold Western Lawn Sprinklers to his long-time foreman. This business was a national award-winning venture with several major brands of irrigation and landscaping equipment marketing their products through Western P.I.P.E. Upon Dick’s retirement in the early 2000s, most of his employees stayed on or continued into leadership positions in similar companies, but they always “kept in touch”.

Retirement did not have the same definition for Dick as it does for other people. As soon as he retired, he moved to Lingle, Wyoming, where he and Bonnie purchased an RV Park that had closed. He immediately set to work modernizing, fixing structures, plumbing, and electrical items, and planting trees, and then opened Pony Soldier RV Park. The couple travelled to Wyoming to attend hospitality conferences and shop for Wyoming-made products for the gift shop. The days were sometimes hot and long with many tasks, but as in previous endeavors, everyone they met became friends. Visitors to the park continued to stay in touch and visit long after the park was sold.

Dick’s desire was always to retire in Nebraska, which he finally did in 2011. The couple resided for a time in Morrill where they were active in the community and their church. They later moved to Lake Minatare. You could almost always find them with family or friends visiting.

Dick lost Bonnie in 2023 but never lost his faith that they would one day be reunited in God’s kingdom. His faith and love to others were solid as his observance of the sabbath. Dick passed this life on the 24th of June leaving behind his sons, Richard Jr. (Cooki), and Troy; daughter, Ledare (Bud Gigeure); brother-in-Law, Edwin Smith (Beverly); four grandsons; six granddaughters; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and their families.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie; both parents; two sisters; four brothers; one nephew; two daughters-in-law.