Steven Ray RIEDEL

RIEDEL, BEHNKENDORF, MCCONNELL, DOCKWELL, HIGH, CRANDALL, BURT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/2/2013 at 13:32:38

March 31, 1953 ----- July 31, 2013

Rowan — Steven R. Riedel, age 60, of Rowan, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2013, in the CCU at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City while surrounded by his loved ones. Funeral services for Steven R. Riedel will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 4, at the United Church of Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. A private family burial will be in Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Visitation for Steven R. Riedel will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, August 2, at Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond.

Steven Ray Riedel was born on March 31, 1953, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was the son of Selma (Behnkendorf) and Stanley Riedel. He was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church in LuVerne and confirmed in his faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Latimer. Steve attended elementary school in Rowan and his junior high and high school years in Belmond. Some of the various jobs Steve has held throughout his life have been auto mechanic, gravel truck driver, delivery and pick- up specialist for Riedel Truck Sales, railroad switch rail grinder co-operator for Jackson Jordan railroad maintenance, tire shop employee, truck driver of side dump and belly dump trailers, and an independent tractor/trailer operator.

In his early years, Steve’s thirst for adventure was quenched by drag racing his 500 Kawasaki motorcycle and his Super Bee muscle car on the quarter-mile! Later on in life he was “King of the Track” as he raced his trucks Plum Crazy and Orange Crush, completed successful semi-tractor jumps, crashed cars in demolition derbies and competed in school bus races! (Each of these activities included ALL the Riedel family members: parents, siblings and children!)

He enjoyed cruising in his 32-coupe street rod as well as his ’58 Ford hardtop convertible while wearing his Panama hat! Steve was a mischievous risk-taker who enjoyed a good time! He was quick-witted but chose to use kindhearted sentiment as the base of his humor. Steve was a hard worker and a good provider who was willing to do anything for his family. He was compassionate, kind and generous to a fault. Steve would be willing to give you the shirt off his back and not expect anything in return.

He was a tinkerer who always worked with his hands whether he was putting together model cars, racetracks in the basement or assembling his kids’ Christmas presents. Steven enjoyed listening to the radio as well as a variety of music genres: blues, rock and roll, country and even hard rock! He loved watching his western programs: “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Big Valley.” Every Sunday was “Race Day” as he cheered on his favorites: Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He enjoyed playing games such as Chinese checkers, cribbage and dominos with his grandkids.

Steve was notorious for talking in his sleep and even interacting with anyone who chose to talk to him while he was sleeping! Steve had an easy grin, a pair of twinkling blue eyes and the desire to live his life to the fullest — and that he did with gusto!

Those left to cherish his memories are his children: Amanda (Travis) McConnell of Newton, Clinton (Mandy) Riedel of Belmond and Tonya (Dave) Dockwell of Belmond; along with his friend and his children’s mother, Lois Riedel (Newton). His grandchildren: Joshua High (Fort Campbell, Ky.), Brianna High (Belmond), Emma Riedel (Newton), Trenton Riedel (Belmond) and Devin Crandall (Newton). His siblings: sister Marcia (Randy) Burt, brother Larry (Donna) Riedel and sister-in-law Barbara Riedel, all of Rowan. His parents, Selma and Stanley Riedel of Rowan. A multitude of nieces and nephews and his two beloved cats, Moose and Girlie. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Riedel (4/27/12), his maternal grandparents, his paternal grandparents and his special friend Nancy.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
August 2, 2013