Kevin Morris Riley 1959 - 2014

RILEY NELSON WACHELDORF

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/15/2014 at 00:06:36

Mapleton Press
15 May 2014

Kevin Morris Riley also known as “Hot Rodder” was born in Onawa on May 7, 1959, and passed away in Sioux City May 7, on his 55th birthday. He was one of eight children born to Morris and Julietta “Judy” (Wacheldorf) Riley.

Kevin grew up in Mapleton and attended Maple Valley School. He worked for the railroad after high school and later as a detailer for Barry Motor Company in Danbury where he learned to love Fords even more. Kevin loved to work on cars his entire life.

When he was 27, Kevin met June Nelson, whom he married June 16, 1995, in Elk Point, S.D. They were blessed with a daughter, Whitney, and a son, Jacob.

Kevin worked for Irving F. Jensen Construction Company for a few years and then became self-employed in “junking,” working with Walt Morgan. He moved to St. Cloud, Minn., in 1994 where he worked for a recycling company until it closed and Kevin’s pulmonary health deteriorated. His disability was confirmed in 2008, and in 2012, Kevin and June easily made the decision to move back to Mapleton to be near family and friends.

With his knowledge and love of engines small and large, Kevin was always willing to lend a hand to family, friends, and strangers when he saw the need. In that regard, he would do a favor for anybody. When his garage door was open, it was a clear invitation to anybody to stop by and visit, thus the garage was thought of as Kevin’s “office with no hours.”

Just the day before his unexpected death, Kevin was helping a friend with his truck. It can easily be said that Kevin Riley “lived until he died!”

Those left to smile as they embrace their memories of Kevin include his wife, June; his daughter, Whitney Riley of St. Cloud, Minn.; his son, Jacob Riley of Mapleton; his three brothers and their wives – Michael and Lois Riley of Mapleton, Larry and Helen Riley of Yukon, Okla., and Mark and Tina Riley of Onawa; four sisters, Barbara Bainbridge and her husband, Roger, of Smithland, Connie Teel and her husband, Gary, of Whiting, Sandra Burke and her husband, Tim, of Mapleton, and Debra Spiegel of Mapleton; his mother-in-law, Mona Nelson of St. Cloud, Minn.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and a ton of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Riley, in 1992 and his mother, Judy Riley, having died just 17 days before Kevin¹s death; his father-in-law, Edwin Nelson, in 2000; his brother-in-law, Richard Spiegel, in 2008; and a nephew, Cory Riley.

Funeral Service was Monday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton with Pastor Harvey Hanson officiating.

Message in Music was by Foggy Anderson, vocalist and guitarist, and included “Knocking On Heaven’s Door,” “I Can’t Drive 55” on CD by Sammy Hagar, “Drink A Beer” on CD by Luke Bryan, “Hot Rod Lincoln” on CD by Commander Cody, and “Money For Nothing” on CD by Dire Straits.

Pallbearers were Larry Castle, Jack Allen, Jesse Van Cleave, Nate Butler, Jeremy Bainbridge, Mike Wessling.

Honorary Pallbearers were Kevin’s nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Sunday, May 11, from 3-5 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 5 p.m. at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Interment was at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mapleton.

Everyone was invited to go to St. John’s United Methodist Church in Mapleton following the interment for a time of sharing food and friendship.

Armstrong Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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