Alden R. Condict

On March 28^th, 2024, beloved husband, father and friend, Alden Revelle Condict passed from this world to the next. He was 96 years old.

Alden was born December 31^st, 1927, in the family home of Aurilla and W.C. Condict on the

Condict Ranch near Brush Creek. A childhood on the ranch fostered an early love and lifelong dedication to animals and the land. He especially loved horses and dogs. Alongside his close friend, Dick Barkhurst, he attended a country school located on the Condict Ranch.  

Following graduation from Saratoga High School, he then attended college at the University Of Wyoming in Laramie. However, as soon as could, Alden returned full time to the ranch where he dedicated himself to all aspects of the work. He cowboyed, broke horses, moved cattle, flood irrigated, put up hay, fed cattle, managed and worked alongside large crews of men. He especially enjoyed the long cattle drives on horseback to the Forest, State and BLM grazing allotments which ended up being great adventures.

Shipping was another busy time on the ranch, the cattle were trailed for miles down Highway 130 to the train stock yards where they would be loaded into cattle cars bound for Omaha. This was a time when the logging industry was in full swing and used Highway 130 to transport timber to Saratoga. On one occasion, a loaded log truck lost its brakes coming down Snowy range, Alden, on horseback, dashed in front of the truck to try and chase steers off the river bridge before the truck smashed through them. Eyewitnesses said the headlight of the speeding truck was within inches of the horse’s tail before Alden reined his steed off the road just past the guardrail of the bridge.

At a horse sale in Fort Collins, Colorado, Alden’s life would change forever. There he met Karen Thornburg and the two were married in May of 1970. The newlyweds shared a passion for ranching, cattle and horses. Fortunately for Alden, Karen took to ranch life like a fish to water, and for more than half a century the two worked the land and built a beautiful life together.

In his life and work, Alden wore many hats, a cowboy hat being just one. More of a cattleman, he was just as content out in the hay fields and pastures with his shovel and his dog spreading water wherever he could take it to. When the shovel wasn’t the tool for the job, he spent many hours irrigating and maintaining roads on his backhoe. He was also the keeper of the family history and a living link between the first generation of Condicts to reside on the ranch to now. He loved to tell stories about the adventures and misadventures of a well spent life. A seasoned traveler, he visited many places in the United States and abroad.

Alden was an unlikely Lion.

 He was easy going and more than fair, but he had rules. Any sense of threat to his family, his livestock, his pets, the land, water or the wildlife, would tap into an unyielding ferocity. Alden would not back down and he didn’t waste a second of his time worrying about what anyone else thought or said about it. You get the job done, but you DON’T abuse the livestock or the equipment doing it. He was especially protective of the weak or sick. Long after everyone else had given up on an old cow or horse, Alden would tirelessly carry feed and water to them. He did what he felt was right, He lived in the moment and accepted people as they were.

Alden was preceded in death by his parents Aurilla and W.C. Condict, Sisters Maysel Beales (Austin), Bernice Hampton (Bill), and Alice Condict, Brother Win (Elsie), and Nephew Reginald Thornburg. He is survived by his wife Karen, their two sons Alden Jr. and Michael (Diane), Nephew Bill Hampton (Mary Lou), Niece Charon Timm (Alan), Nephews and Nieces, Weston Boxberger, Audrianna Boxberger, Colton Boxberger (Sheri), Aspen, Cloey, Shelby and Kelsey.

After 96 years on this earth, Alden had many friends and acquaintances, not only in this valley, but scattered across the United States. There are many ways to honor the memory of a loved one. A grand funeral with all the usual fanfare is but only one of those ways. Alden was a humble man, he had a warm smile and a big heart. He cherished time spent with his family, animals and working on the land far above any social engagements or obligations. After careful consideration and much thought, the family has decided on a private graveside service. He will be interred at the Saratoga Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to please consider a donation to the North Platte

Valley Medical Center. Alden’s family greatly appreciates the kind and compassionate care he received there from all of the staff during his stay.

Please make checks out to:

Corbett Medical Foundation

P.O. Box 343

Saratoga, WY

82331