A celebration of the life of Riley Lee Malli, 73 year Arvada resident who passed away Monday at the V.A. Medical Center in Sheridan, will be held by his family and friends on Monday, May 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the Arvada Bar in Arvada, Wyoming. A private family interment with Military Graveside Rites will be held by his family at the Riley Malli Ranch near Arvada. Donations in Riley’s memory may be made to the Clear Creek FFA or the Arvada Cemetery in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com
Riley Lee Malli was born on March 23, 1944 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Gusti and Evelyn Malli. He grew up near Arvada, attending Arvada Elementary School and later Arvada High School. Riley was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1964 and served in Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge in September of 1966 and stayed in the U.S. Army Reserves until November of 1970. He was married on May 8, 1967 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Mary Lou Gasper.
They made their home near Arvada where they farmed, ranched and raised their family. Retirement was never in Riley’s plan and he continued working the ranch until the time of his death. In 2016, Riley and Mary Lou celebrated the Malli Ranch Centennial as the homestead had been owned and operated by the same family for over 100 years.
He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. Riley also served as a board member of the Clearmont Fire District, the Arvada-Clearmont School District and the Arvada Cemetery. Riley was an avid reader and loved horses. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Riley is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Lou Malli of Arvada; four children, LeRoy Malli and his wife Kris of Arvada, Steve Malli and his wife Jonela also of Arvada, Michelle Dodds and her husband Arthur of Sheridan, and Brandon Malli of Vienna, Austria; brother Buz Malli of Arvada; sisters, Norma Malli of Arvada and Donna Hakert and her husband Richard of Buffalo; seven grandchildren; Riley, John, Colin, Krista, Kerri, Shelden and Skye. He was preceded in death by his parents.
