02/12/2025
Clifford Lee Glade
January 12, 1950 – November 21, 2025
Cliff Glade, beloved father, husband, cowboy, and friend, passed away on November 21, 2025, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was 75 years old.
Born on January 12th, 1950, to Arthur Glade and Alvina (Means) Glade, Cliff lived a life defined by strength, grit, and heart. An exceptional athlete and true cowboy, he earned the respect of everyone who knew him - not only for his talent and work ethic, but for his integrity, humor, and unwavering kindness.
Cliff grew up near Elm Springs, South Dakota. He went to high school in New Underwood and excelled in every sport he signed up for. He was proud of the many high school rodeo championships he won:
1967 – SD State H.S. Saddle Bronc Champion, Ba****ck Champion, All Around Champion
1968 – SD State H.S. Saddle Bronc Champion, All Around Champion
1968 – SD State H.S. All Around Champion
1968 – National H.S. Rodeo Runner Up All-Around Champion, 2nd in Ba****ck
In addition, he was a valued teammate for the High School Rodeo Team in 1968 when they won the National Championship, a feat that has never been repeated.
Cliff was a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe. He was very proud of his heritage. He also competed in Indian rodeos, winning the bull riding title in the Great Plains Indian Rodeo Association in 1974.
While in college at Black Hills State University, he met the love of his life, Lila Reukauf. They were married on February 26, 1972. In very short order, Lila’s father, Art Reukauf, had Cliff and Lila set up with a ranch. It was the start of a lifetime together raising cattle and horses. They lived and ranched in Ekalaka, Glendive, and Terry, Montana, and in Elm Springs and Oglala, South Dakota. Along the way, they made many friends and raised their two children.
While ranching cut in to their competition time, the two of them still found time to rodeo together when they could, each of the going on to win Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit titles. One of his favorite memories was that if they both won an event, they would eat lobster for dinner. One summer they ate so many lobsters they didn’t want to order it anymore.
One of Cliff’s most noteworthy accomplishments was being crowned the 1978 Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit All Around Champion. He was a true cowboy in every sense of the word. He won money at the PRCA level in every men’s rodeo event.
Cliff was fortunate to have a lot of friends. He never knew a stranger and if he met one, they would be more than just acquaintances after a short conversation. He enjoyed visiting wherever he went. He also never met a pie he didn’t like. He knew where the best ones were…and most of them were at a local sale barn, a bull sale, made by Lila or his Mother-in-Law June.
Cliff’s passion for the western way of life was evident in everything he did. Whether he was in the saddle, at a rodeo, working cattle, or offering guidance to the next generation, he inspired those around him through his second to none example and an unshakable spirit.
Above all, Cliff was a devoted family man. He was a proud father, always ready with a story, a lesson, or a helping hand. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, who will carry forward his love for ranching, rodeo, the land, and the simple beauty of a life well lived.
Cliff will be deeply missed by his wife Lila, daughter Cheyenne (Shane) Wilson, son Wyatt (Darcy) Glade, and his grandchildren: Quanah Glade, Ira Glade, Stone Wilson, and Odessa Glade.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Cliff’s life will be held on Monday, December 15th at 11am at the Expo Hall - Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City, SD. Lunch will be served after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund in his honor.
