Reba Loobey was born November 2, 1936, in Crawford Nebraska to Pete and Dorothy Abel. When she was eight years old they moved to a ranch near Marine, South Dakota. Reba attended high school in Sturgis, SD, and graduated in 1954. She received her teaching degree from BHSU and while there, she met the love of her life. Donald Loobey, and Reba were married in 1957 in Faith, SD. They moved to the Loobey family ranch near Milesville, SD and in 1958 their daughter Kerry was born. Three years later, their son Brook joined the family. In 1968 they moved to a ranch near Faith which then lead them to a place for three years in Belle Fourche, SD. In 1972 they moved to their final home outside Sturgis just northwest of Bear Butte and settled in as a dairy farm.

Reba loved the country life. She always raised a big garden, milked cows, and raised bum lambs and calves. She also had a large variety of barn cats and usually a dog or two following her around.

Throughout the years she found herself very active in the Sturgis HS rodeo queen contest. She took great pride in hand sewing and lettering the sash for the new queen along with sewing numerous fancy clothes for many contestants. She was also very active in the Cowbells which was a woman’s cattle organization where she held many positions in the 8+ years she was a member.

Reba enjoyed following her kids through 4-H and their sports. After they had families, it was the grandchildren she ran behind. One thing everyone remembers about her is that she always had a camera in her hand. Her pictures didn’t just end up in a box either, since she had a love for scrapbooking. She was always proud to show her scrapbooks of pictures to anyone who stopped by. Of course, she was always prepared for those visits by having an amazing variety of baked goods ready to share. She loved to host company at her home and truly looked forward to her summer visits from her German friends, Gobi and Moni, who were more like family.

Reba is survived by her daughter, Kerry (Ron) Howie, White Owl, SD; her son, Brook (Lorrie) Loobey Sturgis; grandchildren: Nathan (Terri) Howie, White Owl, Melinda (Jason) Stewart, Kannapolis NC, Amanda (Lex) Geer, Savageton WY, Jessica Loobey, Sturgis, Martina Loobey, Sturgis; great grandchildren: Buddy Howie, Brandy Howie, Perry Geer and Macy Geer; sisters, Kela (Dow) Rathbun, Douglas WY, Zelda Wageman, Las Vegas NV; sister-in-law, Cleo Loobey, Sturgis; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her mother and father, mother and father-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and her beloved husband.

Visitation will take place Sunday, November 1, 2026 From 2-5 PM at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Services will be held Monday November 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.