Giles “Pickle” Riley
Giles “Pickle” Riley age 78, of Lamberton, MN, died on October 11, 2023, at Sanford Medical in Sioux Falls, SD.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Lamberton Chapel and will continue on Thursday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lamberton, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:30 am.
The clergy will be Father Jeremy Kucera. Interment will be at the St. Mathias Catholic Cemetery in Wanda, MN.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Lamberton, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Giles ‘Pickle’ James Riley, son of the late Sylvester and Ella (Petersen) Riley was born on May 6th 1945 at Redwood Falls Hospital. Pickle attended elementary school at the St. Mathias Catholic School in Wanda MN and graduated from Lamberton High School in 1963. He grew up on a farm outside of Wanda with his seven siblings riding horse, playing ball, and enjoying farm life. After high school, Pickle continued farming with his brothers and raising livestock. He met Carol Irlbeck and in 1967 married her. The marriage was blessed with two wonderful daughters, Deb and Karrie. Carol passed away from complications associated with multiple sclerosis in 1987. After farming, Pickle took a position at Sanborn Public School as a custodian, and after a few years, the district merged with Lamberton Schools. At that time, he met Linda Kisor, an elementary teacher, the next love and chapter in his life. Pickle impressed Linda by sending her a dozen of her favorite flower, white roses. They married on June 26th, 1992 and the kind gesture of a dozen white roses continued throughout their union. This marriage was blessed with his third wonderful daughter, Sheela.
Pickle had an intense love for family and friends. His daughters were involved in a variety of activities and Pickle never missed one event, whether that be a concert, a drama production, sporting event or religious activity. He loved gatherings that included food, laughter and friends/family, and celebrations on the hill. He taught CCD for St. Mathias Catholic church and participated as a pitcher for the Wanda Mudhens men’s fastpitch team. Pickle showed his passion for his community by becoming involved and volunteering in numerous activities, especially with the youth. He coached elementary basketball, summer girls softball, and Monday night Wanda youth ball for decades. And for a short time, he coached girls fastpitch summer ball. He was a founding board member of the Wanda 333 Club and helped create the memorial park and the antique tractor display and parade. Pickle organized a fundraiser each year during the 333 Cracker Days for funds to be donated to charities for different causes. He enjoyed collecting Allis Chalmers tractors and Dale Earnhardt Nascar paraphilia.
Pickle passed away on Wednesday, October 11th at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls SD, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 78.
Those who mourn his passing include his wife Linda (Kisor) Riley, daughters Debra (Eric) Riley Ose, and her three children, Colin, Hannah, and Austin; Karrie (Craig) Myers and her three children, Mikayla, Mason and Mercedes along with stepsons Adam (Brittany), Tyler (special friend Ashley) and Matthew (Abby) and families; Sheela (John Linneman) Riley and her two children Emilia and Arthur. Siblings Sylvester (Kathleen) Riley, Audrey (Jim) Fuchs, Edward (Kathy) Riley, Bernard (Marianne) Riley and Marian (Dan) Arnoldi, along with many nieces and nephews. And Linda’s siblings Lori (Brian) Gieseke and Larry (Vickie) Kisor and families. Preceding him in death are his parents, Sylvester and Ella, wife Carol, grandson Thomas Linneman, siblings Monica (Howard) Kinglsey and Dennis ‘Tony’ (Rita) Riley, nephews Christopher Riley and John Kingsley, mother-in-law Meredith Kisor Warnemunde, and fathers-in-law Wesley Kisor and John Warnemunde.
Pickle’s legacy will never be forgotten, his laughter, his jokes and gentle heart will remain forever.
