RIEKENA, Willard W. 1923-2000

RIEKENA, ROSS, SLIFER, RIEBKES

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:14

Willard W. Riekena, 75

Willard W. Riekena, of Grundy Center, died Monday, Aug. 14, 2000, at his residence of natural causes. He attained the age of 75 years, 11 months and 21 days.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Grundy Center. Pastor Robert Schnucker officiated. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center. The Grundy Center American Legion Post No. 349 and AMVETS Post No. 17 of Grundy Center had the flag presentation. A memorial fund has been established.

Willard was born Aug. 23, 1923, the son of Weert and Alberta Ross Riekena. He graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1941. He served his country in the Army during WWII. After the service he returned to Wellsburg where he was part owner in Triple R Road Construction. He married Elda Vey Slifer Riebkes on September 22, 1961, in Austin, MN. In 1961 he moved to Hampton where he worked for Hampton Auto Supply as an automotive machinist. He retired in 1985. The couple moved to Grundy Center in 1995 where he enjoyed golfing and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Evelyn Harms and Gladys Korte.

Willard is survived by his wife Elda Vey of Grundy Center; a son, Robert and his wife Vicky Riebkes of Latimer; two daughters, Donita and her husband Larry Phelps of Grundy Center and Colleen and her husband Chris Hansen of Moline, IL; eight grandchildren; a sister, Arlene Junker of Wellsburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center, was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 17 August 2000, pg 3