Ralph P. “Chop” Riggs, 85, of Washta, passed away on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s in Sioux City.
There will be a come and go celebration of life on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Washta Church of Faith from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Burial will follow at Sunset View Cemetery in Washta. It was Chop’s wishes to be cremated. Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Chop was born on Sept. 26, 1941, to John and Mary (Albert) Riggs at Onawa. He graduated high school in 1960. He was united in marriage to Bernadine Rogers on Aug. 27, 1961, at Sioux City. Together they were blessed with four children.
Chop worked at Wilson's Continental Deli packing house in Cherokee and drove for Schuster Truck Company before his retirement.
In his free time, he loved racing cars when he was younger, attending stock car races, spending time with his family and friends, watching the orioles, hummingbirds, and squirrels outside his window, and taking care of his cats and dog.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bernadine Riggs in 2023; two brothers, Herb and Harlan; and two grandsons, Ricky and Steven.
Chop will be lovingly be remembered by his children: Terri Smith of Pierson; Missy and Chuck Myers of Quimby; John and Patti Riggs of Cherokee; and Tammy Boock and Mickey Conard of Ida Grove; companion Sue Ritts of Washta; sister-in-law Joan Rigg of Sioux City; also numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
