Richard P. Rieger, 70, of Evans, died on Sunday, February 19, 2006 at the North Colorado Medical Center.
He was born on July 24, 1935 in Long Lake, South Dakota to Phillip and Elizabeth (Schneider) Rieger.
Richard married Mary Ellen Cozad on August 16, 1959 in Pierce, Colorado. They lived have lived in Leadville & Climax Colorado before moving to the Greeley/Evans area where they have lived for the past 37 years.
Mr. Rieger served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He worked in the Climax Molybdenum Mines for 10 years and later worked for Monfort in Greeley for 10 years until his health would no longer allow him to do so. After leaving Monfort, Richard attended Aims Community College where he earned his Associates Degree in business. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and he loved gardening, especially raising tomatoes. He also enjoyed trips to the mountains to see the wildlife and going to Blackhawk. He was a member of the Evans United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Rieger of Evans; 2 daughters and their husbands, Jeanette and Keith Lambert of Pensacola, Florida and Sharon and David Nelson of Parker, Colorado; a son, William "Bill" Rieger of Evans; 2 grandchildren, Amber Leigh Lambert and Mathew Ryan Lambert both of Pansacola, Florida; 4 sisters, Martha Ackerman & husband Reuben of Eureka, South Dakota, Alma Ottenbacher of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Viola Benting of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Delores Paulson & husband Marvin of Pierre, South Dakota; 3 brothers and their wives, Al & Louella Rieger of Everett, Washingtion, Milton and Lillian Rieger of Salem, Oregon and Marvin and Sheyna Rieger of Canada. His is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
A funeral service to celebrate Richard's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at the Evans United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel and during that time family will greet friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m..
Memorial gifts may be made to the Evans United Methodist Church in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.