Elliott Joseph Riehl (69) of Watauga, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at a Bismarck hospital after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10am on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Watauga. Rosary will begin at 930am.

Elliott was born May 28, 1956, in Lemmon, SD, the son of Joe and Anne (Ternes) Riehl. Elliott, along with his three sisters, was raised on the family farm south of Watauga where he continued to farm and ranch all his life. He attended kindergarten at Willow Lodge School and grades 1-6 at Prairie View, both country schools south of Watauga. He spent the next two years at the Watauga School and freshmen and sophomore year at St. Mary's in New England. He completed his junior and senior year at McIntosh High School, where he graduated in 1974.

In 1977, he married Carolyn Glines and together they had 5 children. The joy of his wedding was quickly shadowed by tragedy when just five days later, he lost his best man and dearest friend, David F. Nehl, in a motorcycle accident. This profound loss was a pivotal moment that altered the course of his life. He spent years wrestling the ghosts of his past, surviving trials that would have consumed others. Gradually, his fire and rebellion was replaced by quiet wisdom forged by hard lessons learned.  In his final years, he found solitude and peace from the country life that surrounded him.

A lifelong farmer and rancher, he had a deep appreciation and understanding for the land and cattle. Growing up, he spent many hours on the back of a horse, and could ride the most stubborn of the lot, but he always preferred cows. His dad Joe would say while he knew cattle, it was Elliott that knew them better. With farm life comes many other knowns, like drought and rain and seasons of plenty and struggle, there was always a fence that needed fixing or equipment to repair, he weathered them all with silent strength. He loved watching crops emerge in the spring and grateful for a good harvest in the fall. His love of the land was matched by a passion for the hunt. An avid hunter, he had a keen eye for spotting a buck hidden to most and enjoyed the challenging pursuit of hunting and trapping coyotes and coons.  He was a private man, but also an easy conversationalist, he enjoyed visiting and could have a conversation with anyone. Indoors, he was a man of routine, a television was always on, happily engrossed in a football or basketball game. He also enjoyed his hard rock music and a good game of pool.

In 2015, Elliott selflessly donated stem cells to his sister, Sharon, during her battle with cancer. As a perfect 10-out-of-10 match, he traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, for the procedure without hesitation. He was very proud when he learned his donation exceeded the minimum requirement by 108 million cells. In a bittersweet echo of their bond, Elliott passed away exactly nine years after Sharon, a testament to the special bond they shared.

He is forever remembered by his five children: Alysia Riehl, Tanya (Chris) Koch, Josh (Adrienne) Riehl, Carissa (Owen) McGregor, of Bismarck, ND and Elias Riehl, New England, ND; grandchildren Bennett and Londyn Koch, Raylan Riehl, Aspen Heverly, Tyler, Levi and baby McGregor, all of Bismarck; his sisters Jo Ann Gannon, Sioux Falls, SD; and Juliette Montgomery, Rapid City, SD; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Anne Riehl, Watauga, SD; sister Sharon Long, Black Hawk, SD; uncle Carl Riehl, Watauga, SD; his grandparents and other loved ones.

With heartfelt sympathy, cards may be sent to Alysia Riehl at 3415 Breen Drive, Bismarck, ND, 58501.

Elliott's family and friends are encouraged to sign his online guestbook.