Category Archives: News

Bob was born May 15, 1936 to Ralph and Neva (Eaton) Ryno at their home on the northwest corner of Wood. Bob attended Cody Township School and graduated Wood High School in 1954. Shortly, thereafter, he joined the Army; completing basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX, Fort Carson, CO for infantry training then sent to Korea. He returned from the Army in 1956.

Upon his return, he was a delivery truck driver for Kaplan Tires of Winner, SD. He returned to the home place, north of Wood, to help his father on the ranch. Shortly thereafter, he was united in marriage to Frances “Babe” Belak on June 25, 1960.

In 1966 he purchased his first two thoroughbred mares from Gene Strain.

He and Babe purchased the old Leat place, south of Wood, and also the Standard Oil bulk business from Rex Sinclair, in 1969. They spent the rest of their lives building a beautiful home place, raising their two kids, Karla, born in 1962 and Marty, born in 1963.

Bob put off his horse racing career until Karla and Marty were thru high school. He sold the bulk business to Scott Dimond in 1997, his brother, Larry, watched the cattle herd, and he devoted the rest of his life to his true passion, racing horses.

Bob’s most notable accomplishments, during his racing career, included two horses in the Hall of Fame at Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, MN. Little Bro Lantis was born, raised, and trained on the home place. KZ Bay was Kentucky bred and purchased as a yearling. Bob brought her to South Dakota where he trained her and raced her at Canterbury Downs, River Downs, Churchill Downs, Remington Park, Woodbine and Franklin Downs.

The ultimate racing accomplishment was winning the Lady Canterbury feature race at Canterbury Downs on 6-22-1997. This race was a one mile turf race; KZ Bay went off the board at 32 to 1 and won the race, going wire to wire. K Z Bay was the first local mare to win the race against shippers brought in from all over the country. The grandstand erupted with cheers as she came charging down the home stretch and hit the wire, two lengths in front.

Bob’s love of horse racing was only surpassed by his love of family, friends and particularly his granddaughters, Robin and Teneil. He could be found pulling the girls on sleds across the pasture, rigging a swing on the horse walker so they could swing while he walked the horses, and just spending time with his good ‘ol kidders.

On Jan. 17, one week shy of his 104th birthday, Weldon Peter “Pete” Olson passed away at his home surrounded by several members of his family.

Pete was born Jan. 24th, 1913, on the family farm in Knox County Nebraska to Peter and Alma Olson. He was the oldest of five children.

Pete was a smart child and his teachers recommended he skip the 6th grade. He was later elected president of his class and graduated from Wausau, High School. He moved to Tripp County to farm with his Uncle Frank Lundgren.
He married Ruth Mack on April 5, 1941 in Ainsworth, Neb. and they enjoyed life together for 72 years. Pete and Ruth enjoyed dancing to waltzes and polkas. They decided on raising a large family. They had 13 children and were blessed with lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren who loved to spend time on the family farm. Pete enjoyed playing games such as Trivial Pursuit and cards with the family. All of his life, Pete was an avid reader enjoying books on tape when his eyesight was too weak. And, of course, he loved to rock the newest grandbaby.

Pete and Ruth moved to the farm in Ideal in 1947. Pete became very active in the community serving on the school board, various boards at the Ideal Presbyterian Church, the Ideal Township board and the Ideal Tigers Country basketball team board. As a member of the school board, Pete helped to start the hot lunch program at the Ideal school. He also loaded his car many times to transport students to Rosebud, SD, for dental and medical care. Pete and Ruth enjoyed living and raising their children in such a supportive community. Pete was able to go Christmas Eve Service at the Ideal Presbyterian Church in 2016 for his last venture from home.