Obituary of Francis Rieck

Francis Edward Rieck, son of Hugo and Margaret (Govetzki) Rieck, was born on August 7, 1929 near Gaza, IA in O'Brien County, Highland Township. He spent his youth around Gaza and May City, IA, attending the country schools there and graduating from the 8th Grade. Francis served his country in the United States Army from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1953. He then returned home to resume farming with his father. On December 26, 1954, Francis was united in marriage to Dolores Darlene Kinkade at St. John's Lutheran Church in May City, IA. The couple farmed together on the Rieck home place near May City where they raised their two children, Sue and David. In 1984, Francis and Dee left the farm and relocated to Spencer, IA. Having enjoyed their entire married life living in the country, and dealing with live, growing things, they both found satisfying employment at Del's Garden Center in Spencer. Wanting to be closer to help David out on the farm prompted a move to Hartley, IA in 2005. When Francis no longer had the day-to-day burden of the farming operation to deal with, gardening became a huge enjoyment for him. He especially loved to mow the lawn and tend to all the yard maintenance. If the weather pushed him indoors, Francis could spend hours with woodworking projects; from house remodeling to picture frames. He crafted handmade dollhouses, barns and toys for the grandchildren, and kitchen stools, shelves and quilt racks for his wife and children. Francis was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in May City while they lived on the farm. When they moved to Spencer they attended Bethany Lutheran Church ELCA. Francis was a member of the American Legion in Spencer and then in Hartley. He passed from this life on Monday, January 18, 2016 at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores in 2012; his parents, Hugo and Margaret Rieck; one brother, Lota; one sister, Lottie; grandsons: Justin Rieck, Noah Klumper, and SSG LeRoy Webster. Francis is survived by his two children: Sue Andersen and her husband, Kirk, of Spencer, IA, and David Rieck and his wife, Nancy, of Hartley, IA; grandchildren: Jessica Webster and her fiancé Brady Griffin of Hartley, IA, Joshua Rieck and his wife Cari, of Hartley, IA and Joel Rieck of Hartley, IA; step-grandchildren: Kristian Andersen and his wife, Heather of Spencer, IA and Nathan Andersen and his wife Teresa of Emmetsburg, IA; 14 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life Francis E. Rieck Born ~ August 7, 1929 Died ~ January 18, 2016 Age ~ 86 years 5 months 11 days Visitation and Remembrance Friday, January 22, 2016 2:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. The family will be present at the visitation from 4:30 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. Hartley Funeral Home Hartley, Iowa Graveside Services A private family graveside service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 Officiating ~ Onalee Wright Honorary Pallbearers Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren Military Graveside Rites Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post #288 Hartley, Iowa Inurnment Harrison Township Cemetery May City, Iowa <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/TLP5SHM6879KRQYK" width="512"></iframe>