RIEKENA, Emery 1914-1963

RIEKENA, PRIMUS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/6/2012 at 21:00:19

Emery Riekena dies Tuesday; Services To be Held Friday

Emery Riekena died at his home Tuesday morning, October 29, of a brain tumor. He had undergone brain surgery last December, but his condition had gradually become worse and he had been confined to his home for the past six weeks.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the family home and later at the First Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. Bernard Visscher officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Riekena, he was born November 19, 1914. Until his illness he had played a prominent part in church, civic and school activities of the community. He was a former president of the Board of Education of the Wellsburg Community Schools, and was a member of the Grundy Soil Conservation District Board at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Edward of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Harlyn of Eldora; one daughter, Maribelle, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and one grandson. Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Mary Riekena, and one brother, John E. Riekena, of Wellsburg; two sisters, Mrs. Melvin Tack of Holland Mrs. Fred Walbaum of Grundy Center.

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 31 October 1963

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Funeral Services For Emery Riekena held Friday, Nov. 1

Funeral services for Emery Riekena were held Friday, November 1, at 1 p.m. at the home and later in the First Christian Reformed Church with the pastor, Rev. Bernard Visscher, officiating.

Miss Elizabeth Eckhoff was the organist and Mrs. Ward Richards, soloist, sang "Does Jesus Care?" and "I Will Pilot Thee."

Casketbearers were Edward Mennenga, Gerald Bakker, Gratus Geerdes, Edward Ammann, Leonard Gelder and Herman Eckhoff.

Mrs. Herman Eckhoff and Mrs. Edward Ammann were flower attendants.

Interment was in the First Christian Reformed Cemetery.

The following obituary of Mr. Riekena was read by the pastor:
Emery Riekena, son of Everett J. and Mary Riekena, was born on a farm west of Wellsburg on November 10, 1914. He attended the schools of the area. On December 10, 1937, he was united in marriage with Helen Primus. They spent the greater part of their married life on the farm where he was born. This remained their home until they built a new home in Wellsburg and moved to town in 1957.

To them were born two sons, Edward of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Harlyn of Eldora, Iowa, and one daughter, Mary, who is a student at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two other children were born to them who died in infancy. Others who preceded him in death were his father, who passed away on November 13, 1952, and one grandchild, Kelly Riekena, who passed away in January 1962.

Emery Riekena made profession of his faith in the First Christian Reformed Church in 1938 and has since that time been a faithful and active member, serving as deacon, Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. He was blest with a keen mind; was a man of insight and strong convictions, and revealed broad interests in his church and community. He served his community well as a board member of Timothy Christian School, and as member of president of the board of the Wellsburg Community School. He also helped sponsor various projects which have been for the benefit and welfare of the community.

His illness dates back to December, 1962, when he underwent brain surgery. Various means were used to check the malignancy. During the summer of this year he seemed to rally and there was some hope that actual improvement had taken place, but in September his condition became more critical again. During the last few weeks he was seriously ill. Gradually his strength declined and on Tuesday morning, October 29, he passed away at the age of 48 years, 11 months and 10 days.

Emery Riekena died as he lived, trusting in his Savior and Lord. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Helen, two sons, Edward of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Harlyn of Eldora and one daughter, Mary, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, one grandson, Kent Riekena of Eldora, his mother, Mrs. Mary Riekena of Wellsburg, one brother, John E. Riekena of Wellsburg, two sisters Mrs. Melvin Tack of Holland, Iowa, and Mrs. Fred Walbaum of Grundy Center, as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 7 November 1963