Funeral Services For Garry Riggs

​Garry W. Riggs, 75, of St. Edward, NE, passed away Friday, August 19, 2016 at the Boone County Health Center in Albion, NE. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the St. Edward Catholic Church in St. Edward, NE, with Mgsr. Ralph Steffensmeier officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service. 

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Garry Warren Riggs, the son of Warren and Edith (Crile) Riggs, was born on December 15, 1940 at Crawford, NE. He attended school at Crawford, graduating from Crawford High School. Following his high school education, Garry attended Chadron State University. He later earned two masters degrees in sciences from the University of Wyoming and a masters degree in administration from the University of Nebraska.

Garry married Janet Powell and to this 9 year union 4 children were born. In 1965 the family moved to St. Edward where Garry taught science to three generations of St. Edward youth at the high school. He later became principal and also served as superintendant for 2 years.

Garry was a member of the St. Edward Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, and he volunteered for numerous community club projects.

Garry had his first full time job at the age of 9, resetting bowling pins at the local bowling alley for ten cents per pin. He became an avid and skillful bowler himself, until his knees gave out. Garry worked many other jobs over the years. But teaching was his vocation—something he truly loved. He loved being a teacher because it let him shape the lives of young people while still being a curmudgeon. Garry was also a true school man who at various times performed almost every duty at school—from bus driver to volleyball coach to class sponsor. He was demanding, but deeply proud of all of his students.

He is survived by his mother Edith Geary of Crawford, NE; son Garry Brett (Shawn) Riggs of Billing, MT; daughters: Natalie René (Rafael) Figueroa of Albuquerque, NM, Justy Janel Riggs-Panther of St. Edward, NE; 4 grandsons: Colt Riggs, 2nd Lt. US Air Force Casey Riggs, Riley and Zach Riggs-Panther; brother Frank Riggs; sisters: Willetta Hamar of Crawford, NE, Danniece Stull (Gordon) of Morrill, NE, Betty Calder of Lincoln, NE, Mary Sample (Randy), along with other relatives and friends.+

Garry was preceded in death by his father, sister Vida Anderson; and daughter Shawn Laurette Riggs.