RIEDER - Mathias Anthony Rieder, Matt was born on March 12, 1924, at the family farm home at Windthorst, SK, to William and Clara Rieder. His family then moved to the Summercove district to homestead. Matt attended the Summercove school for a time until his family eventually moved back to Windthorst. Matt again lived there for a short time, returning to the Mankota area where he spent the rest of his life. Matt was predeceased by his parents, William and Clara; his 2 brothers, Robert and Bernard; and his 2 sisters, Adelaide Hoffman and Irene Jergens. He is survived by several nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and tons of friends, young and old, far and wide. Matt was a true cowboy. He worked for many ranchers in the ‘south country,’ as it is referred to. He worked at the Rausch Brothers Ranch. It was during this time, Matt and some local riders and their hounds trailed after coyotes. Matt eventually worked for a number of ranchers in the area – Francis Walker’s Ranch, John Monvision, George and Alice Smith, Harold Anthony and Jack and Maude Watt’s ranch. Here misfortune struck on New Year Day, 1959, when the house and belongings burnt down. This resulted Matt and Howard McLeod living in very cramped quarters in the bunkhouse, fortunately Matt had stored his leather sewing machine in there so he still had that. He was known as the ‘Old History Maker’, with his flavor to meet many folks far and wide. Matt built himself a saddle, and fashioned and sewed himself a buckskin jacket out of deer hide, as well other jackets out of leather. Matt had a wonderful talent for working with leather. He could sew all types of western tack, repair anything from holsters and saddles to chaps. Braiding hackamores and nose bands out of rawhide was a specialty of his. All of this type of leather work was his pride and joy. Matt had a good eye for cattle and was a capable teamster. He owned and rode many good horses along the way. Now Matt wasn’t noted for having the greatest housekeeping skills, but when it came to preparing a meal, he was very good cook. He took great pride in his huge loaves of bread. On bake day, Howard says he stayed in the house all day, baking. Also he was noted for his “light” baking powder biscuits. Matt enjoyed many forms of recreation. Playing cards was one of his favorites, any type of game, whist or smear. At crib he was a master; this game he taught to many people. He liked to hunt and really enjoyed an afternoon fishing at the Summercove dam both in summer or sitting in his ice fishing hut on the water. Matt read a lot and really enjoyed his TV, especially watching rodeos and bull-riding. He followed the local cowboys and knew the names of all the NFR contestants. In 1966 Matt started working for the Saskatchewan Government as a pasture rider with Russell Dean. The next year the Mankota Community Pasture expanded when Stenner Flaata sold his ranch to them. This place became the Pasture Headquarters, and Matt became the Pasture Manager. This position he held until retirement in 1988. During this time he had many riders help him, including Daniel Bokamyer, Bruce Highsaw, Sylvester Bechal, Bob Neilson, Roy and Joyce Mahon worked for him for approximately three to four years, followed by Lionel and Patti Highsaw. They and their family lived together in the old ranch house for a few years, then Matt got his own trailer in the yard. In total, Lionel rode ten years for Matt. Matt was the Weigh Master at the Mankota Weigh Co. for about thirty years and had built his own chair that he sat in beside the scale. The ladies in the Ranchette booth knew when Matt Rieder had his burger order in – it was raw onions on a twice flipped raw burger. After Matt retired from being Weigh Master, he had a place of honor sitting in his chair on the bleachers just under the stairs. Lately on sale day he’d drive up and sit in this truck by the stockyard so he could hear Bruce auctioneer off the cattle over the outdoor loudspeaker. There wasn’t much Matt didn’t like – wind was one – and walking definitely another. Matt treated everyone equally and fairly but he had a quiet subtle way of teaching a lesson. Matt was very comfortable in his last home. He enjoyed family and friends visiting. From here he went to his farm a lot, stopping at Glen and Fran’s on the way by. He also enjoyed his experiences with Johnny MacDonald. Vivien shared an interesting fact: Did you know that if a statue of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, then the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, then the person died as a result of wound received in battle; and if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. I’d like to think (and I hope you do too) that Matt passed on riding a horse with its front legs up high in the air. A Celebration of Matt’s life, was held Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Mankota Agricultural Hall. Reverend Mathias Ross officiated. Vivien McLeod read the tribute. Urn bearer was Fred ‘Festis’ Beaudoin. Interment followed at the Mankota Cemetery. Donations in Memory of Matt may be made to the Mankota Cemetery Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com