06/18/2018 - Paula Rae Riggs

Funeral services for 76-year old Paula Rae Riggs of Chadron will be Monday, June 18, at 10:00 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.

Visitation will be Sunday evening, June 17, from 6-8:00 at Chamberlain Chapel.

A memorial has been established with the 4-H Foundation for the Halsey 4-H Youth Camp. Donations may be made in care of Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.

Paula Rae Riggs, 76 years, passed into the spiritual world Tuesday, June 12, 2018 after a long battle with cancer.  She was at her home south of Chadron Nebraska with her husband, Bill Riggs at her side. 

Paula was born on January 22, 1942 at Fort Dodge Iowa.  She was the daughter of Adolph Edwin Orth and Margaret Elizabeth (Doyen) Orth.  Paula was educated in Iowa and graduated from Barnum High School in 1960.  She then attended Omaha Commercial Extension School, receiving a certification in office machines. 

She met her future husband, who was attending an automotive school , Bill Riggs.  Six months later they were wed August 20, 1961 in Crawford.  To this union two children were born, two sons, Bryon and Myron.  While raising their two boys, Paula received her teaching degree at Chadron State College and taught at different country schools in the area. 

She then became a Deputy Matron at the Dawes County Jail and later worked as a clerk in the County Assessor's office and as Housekeeping Manager at the Best Western Hotel before finishing her employment as a Wal-Mart Associate.

Paula sang and played the piano and guitar, entertaining many in the area.  She was loved by family, friends, and by everyone that  her crossed her life path.

Paula Riggs is survived by her husband, Bill Riggs of Chadron, her son Myron Riggs and his wife Deborah of Whitney.  Two grandchildren Stephen Riggs of Lincoln, and Sarah Riggs of Chadron; a brother Clint (Sharon) Orth of Hudson, Iowa, Rhonda (William) Hoag of Lantana, Florida and Doreen (Mark) Edmondson of Lexington, SC. 

Paula was preceded in death by her son, Bryon Riggs, by her parents Adolph and Margaret, daughter in-law Genevieve and grandson Joshua.