Surrounded by memories, music, and the love of his family, Jesse Byron Riddle entered eternal life on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in Rapid City, at the age of 83.   His spirit is carried on by his wife, three children and their spouses, seven grand children, three great grand children, two surviving siblings and extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life.

Jesse was born on February 21, 1935 in Waubay, SD to Eugene and May (Gilbert) Riddle.  He graduated from Webster high school in 1954 where he met his soul mate, Joyce.   Working for a local jewelry store during high school fueled his entrepreneurial spirit and love of jewelry.  He learned the business from the ground up, attending various trade schools, earning a business degree from the University of South Dakota, and becoming a graduate gemologist.  He also spent time in the National Guard.

On March 28, 1959 Jess made the "smartest move of his life" (his words) by marrying Joyce Gilbertson.  The first Riddle's Jewelry store was opened that same year in Webster, SD.  In 1971 they moved to Aberdeen to open a new Riddle's location and spent many years raising their children, enjoying country life, riding horses, and spending summers at Pickeral Lake. In 1989 they moved to Rapid City, where the family opened Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Manufacturing, Riddle's Corporate office, and in later years the KBAR S Lodge in Keystone.

Although the jewelry business was his passion and took Jesse all over the world, his favorite moments were spent with family and friends joking, laughing, hunting at his ranch, flying his airplane, and living life to the fullest.

In his later years Jesse developed Lewy Body Dementia which took a toll on his body, but never took away his smile, sense of humor, love for people, or taste for ice cream.

Jesse is survived by his wife Joyce; children Darcy (husband Brian Olson, children, Jordan (Morgan) and Kelsey);  Tamara (husband Bryan Schumacher, children Dominic, Benjamin); Brett (wife Lynne, children Jesse, Rachel, Allyson) great grandchildren Skylar, Leo, Orion; siblings Anna May (Glen) Carlis and Rich (Marian) Riddle; and many nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Jesse has reunited with his beloved parents, brother Robert Riddle, and sister Mary Lou Farness who preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, April 9th at South Canyon Lutheran Church, 700 S. 44th Street in Rapid City with visitation one hour prior.  A luncheon will immediately follow the service.

Burial will be in Pine Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial and donation gifts may be made to Youth & Family Services of Rapid City, PO Box 2813, 57709 or South Dakota Human Service Center (Patients Benefit Fund), PO Box 7600, Yankton, SD 57078.