Patrick "Butch" Riebe

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Patrick "Butch" Riebe, age 75, of Cottage Grove, MN, was reunited with his wife Candice and son Christopher on Sunday, July 19, 2020.  Butch is survived by his daughter Michele, brothers Thomas (Susan Bubany) and James (Laurel), many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.

Butch was born on March 22, 1945, to Alexander and Violet Riebe.  He was the first of three boys and grew up in St. Paul.  Butch and his brother Tom would often find adventures together, as well as a little trouble. The boys once had an intense scuffle in the front yard, and their mother had to turn the water hose on them to stop the fighting.  They had fun hanging out at their aunt and uncle's farm in St. Wendel, MN, where they had cousins to play with and plenty of mischief to get into.

Butch attended St. Agnes Grade School and Nazareth Hall Seminary for high school and college, intending to become a Catholic ordained priest at the urging of his family, especially his mom.  He also briefly attended St. Thomas College but instead left the seminary to hire on at Webb Publishing.  It was there that Butch met Candy.  They married on Nov. 1, 1969, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in St. Paul. They had two children, Christopher and Michele.  Butch was a loving father, always making time for Chris' hockey games and for watching wrestling with Michele.

Butch worked his way up to bindery operator at Webb, which later became Quebecor.  He eventually retired from the plant and later worked part-time as a school bus driver for special needs children in the Washington County School District.

When he wasn't working, Butch volunteered at St. Rita's Catholic Church where he counted collections and also was a member of the men's club.  He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Vikings.  Butch always had opinions ready to share about his favorite teams, too!  He enjoyed playing golf and loved to read.  One of Michele's favorite memories was when she and Chris would pick out a few Golden Books each night.  Butch would read them aloud with a child snuggled up under each arm.

Butch was a kindhearted man and a great listener.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious chuckle.  His family and friends were especially important to him, and he often called just to check in on them.  Whether it was wearing matching PJs with his son, helping his brother with a Sunday paper route, or scheduling a lunch date at a favorite spot like the Park Café, Butch loved spending time with friends and family.  In so many ways, both big and small, he always let you know just how much he cared.

Visitation 4-7 PM, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN, 55016 and continues 9:30-10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM, Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Church of St. Rita, 8694 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN, 55016. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, MN. For those who can't attend or choose not to due to COVID-19 the Mass will be recorded and available below this obituary following the Mass later that day.

Memorials are preferred.

To protect the health and safety of all, services are currently being limited as required by state and local authorities and the CDC. Expressions of sympathy during this time can be left on the condolences page available on the obituary portion on our website. We also encourage you to view the video tribute once it becomes available or complete the HeartStrings online sympathy page with the link above. Check the funeral home website for the latest COVID-19 update or changes to the service schedule.