Kathleen M. Richie

Kathy Richie, 68, of Victor, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, after an extended illness.

She was born on Nov. 28, 1945, in Missoula to Valentine and Harriet Loesch. Kathy was a third-generation native of Montana. Primarily living in the Bitterroot Valley, she became an accomplished horsewoman alongside her father, training and riding race and western event horses.

On Aug. 8, 1964, she married Jay Richie in Corvallis. Kathy and Jay raised three children together before his untimely death in 1977. Kathy was a loving mother and grandmother and she took great care of extended family and friends, everyone was family to Kathy. She never missed a rodeo, basketball game, school concert, wedding, baby shower or birthday, it was important to support her family. She loved horses, rodeos, music, gardening and cooking to feed everyone in the family.

Kathy was secretary/assistant manager of the Bitterroot Indoor Arena, head leader of the Hoofbeats 4-H Club, secretary for the Horse and Pony Club, and a member of the Bitterroot Mountette Drill Team. She served as secretary of the Bitterroot Gymkhana Club and was an adviser to the Ravalli County High School Rodeo Team, qualifying the rodeo team for District 5. The list goes on showing her commitment to our children and community, and her lifelong love for horses.

Kathy was a member of the St. Thomas Apostle Church Community and helped with the CCD program. All of the children adored "Grandma Kathy" for her kindness and generosity.

Survivors include Kathy's three children, Angela (Gordon) Murphy of Ovando, Bill Richie of Stevensville and Cami (Neal) Cote of Missoula; her grandchildren, Cody Lee Murphy, Kyani Jimy Dee Murphy, Marissa Richie, Shy Ann Murphy and Tyana Murphy; and two great-granddaughters, Tahlayla St. Goddard and Skyleigh Murphy. Kathy is also survived by two brothers, Jim (Ellen) Loesch and Val Loesch. Kathy had many extended family and friends who she loved fully.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary Mission Parish with Father Matthew Huber officiating on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service

Read Kathleen Richie's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.