Riehle, Phyllis Marie (Novak) 1936 - 2024
RIEHLE, NOVAK, WACHA, MASHEK, KISTENMACHER, SCHECHINGER, DOW, MILLER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/23/2024 at 10:50:22
Phyllis Riehle, age 87, of Spillville, IA, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA. Burial will be in the church cemetery immediately following the service with Rev. Henry Huber presiding.
Rosary at 9:00 am with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday morning.
Phyllis Marie (Novak) Riehle was born on September 12, 1936, the daughter of John F. and Emma (Wacha) Novak in Decorah. She attended St. Wenceslaus School in Spillville where she boarded at the convent. She graduated from Calmar High School in 1954. Phyllis was united in marriage to Julius Robert Riehle on September 20, 1955, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. To this union five sons were born: David, Michael, Richard, James, and Ron. On July 11, 1998, Phyllis married Alvin Mashek at St. Wenceslaus in Spillville.
Phyllis worked multiple jobs throughout her life. She started at Bucheit Produce, as well as always helping on the family farm and running the farm after the passing of Julius. Phyllis loved all her 29 years of driving school bus for South Winneshiek Schools. Those who were blessed to have her as their driver have fond memories and many stories of riding her bus. Her collection of toy school buses grew over the years with many being gifted to her by her riders.
Phyllis was a devout Catholic. She served as the St. Wenceslaus Church sacristan, was a Eucharistic minister, and distributed Communion to the homebound for many years. She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Ladies Guild and the Legion of Mary. She enjoyed dancing and listening to polka music, traveling to attend dances in the area ballrooms. She is proud of her Czech heritage, traveled to the Czech Republic many times and was an avid member of the St. Wenceslaus Heritage Society. Phyllis was the one to call if you ever needed anyone to be added to the prayer line, as she had a direct line up to Him.
Phyllis is survived by four of her sons: David (Kathy) Riehle, Richard (Janet) Riehle, James Riehle, and Ron (Leah) Riehle. Grandchildren: Jill (David) Kistenmacher, Dawn (Keith) Schechinger, Robert Riehle, Hailey Riehle, and Hunter Riehle. Great-grandchildren: Riley, Stella, Violet Schechinger and Abigail & Emma Kistenmacher. Sister: Tami (Cliff) Dow. Brother: David Novak. Sister-in-law: Viola Novak and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Julius Riehle (1978) and Alvin Mashek (2013). Son: Michael Riehle (1992). Great-granddaughter: Harper Schechinger (2013). Her parents, John F. and Emma Novak. Her parents in-law Will and Christina Riehle Siblings: John J. Novak and JoAnn Miller. Brother in-law Dave Miller.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Ronald McDonald House in memory of Harper Schechinger, St. Wenceslaus Ladies Guild or the charity of your choice.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
St. Wenceslaus Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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