Betty Rieck

Betty Jean (Gross) Rieck, 81, of Atlantic passed away Sunday, February 15, 2009, at Bergen Mercy Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Betty Jean (Gross) Rieck was born April 14, 1927 at home southeast of Walnut, Iowa, the third child of Susan Honor (Smith) Gross and George Thomas Gross. Betty attended Layton #8 Country School and graduated from Walnut High School in 1944. She began teaching at the age of 17 on a Wartime permit. She taught at Lincoln #1 for two years and Layton #8 for one year. On June 21, 1947, she married Walter Stephenson Rieck at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Avoca, Iowa. They moved to the Smith farm (her grandfather's) southeast of Walnut. Betty's days were active with the children's school activities such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, FHA, and as school mom and/or sponsor. Betty was very active in the Catholic Church at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walnut. She belonged to Federated Women's Club a number of years serving as County Chairman from 1976 through 1978 and District Treasurer from 1980 to 1982. She served on the Pottawattamie County Red Cross Board and was Bloodmobile Chairman for Walnut for 18 years from 1967 to 1985. She helped Walter farm the Smith place for 30 years and then moved with him to the Country Green Condominium #6 in Atlantic, Iowa. Their farm became an Iowa Century Farm in 2004. Her husband, Walter, passed away on December 3, 2001. She moved to Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa on February 9, 2005. Betty had a special talent in sewing and became a Nationally Certified Quilt Instructor in 1983. She taught classes in a number of area towns and began working at a shop in Elk Horn, Iowa in May, 1986 where she taught classes regularly. In 1990 she started a quilting column called "Grandma's Column" in which she answered her readers' questions or gave short lessons on quilting. Betty was a member of SS Peter and Paul's Catholic Church and Nishna Hills Golf Club in Atlantic, Iowa. She was also involved in Thursday Federated Club in Walnut and Legion Auxiliary and P.E.T. Card Club in Walnut and later in Atlantic, the Nine Patches Quilt Club, the American Quilting Association and the National Quilting Association. Betty is survived by four children and spouses, Randi and Kelly Disser of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Angela and Rhea Beckstead of Phoenix, AZ, Willa and John Voldseth of Martinsdale, Montana, and Walter G. Rieck of Walnut, Iowa; five grandchildren, Kelly Disser III, twins, Joseph Disser and Jennifer Melillo and her husband Nick, Walter L. Rieck and Rachel Rieck; one great grandchild, Jayden Harter; her sister, Kathryn (Gross) Sievers; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter S. Rieck, a brother, Charles Gross, and her parents, George and Susan Gross. Funeral InformationThe Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am Thursday, February 19 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. Father Dan Siepker will preside. The Committal Service will be in the Saint Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa at 2pm following a luncheon at the Atlantic Catholic Parish Center in Atlantic. There will be open visitation through the week and family will meet with friends on Wednesday evening, Feb 18 at 5:00 for a Scripture Wake Service (officiated by Father Dan Siepker) and regular visitation until 7:00pm at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. The family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association or the charity of choice. Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic, Iowa is caring for Betty's family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at her entry in the Roland website www.rolandfuneralservice.com.IN REMEMBRANCE OF Betty Jean RieckBorn April 14, 1927Southeast of Walnut, Iowa ENTERED INTO RESTFebruary 15, 2009At the age of 81 years, 10 months, 1 dayMASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIALThursday, February 19, 200911:00 A.M.SS Peter and Paul Catholic ChurchAtlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGFather Dan SiepkerAtlantic, IowaSELECTED MUSIC"On Eagles Wings""Shepherd Me Oh God""You Are Mine""Song of Farewell""Let There Be Peace"MUSICIANBrenda Wedemeyer CANTORJennifer RenzCASKET BEARERSWalter L. Rieck Kelly Disser III Joseph Disser Burnal Kleen Robert Stuart Les MarousekHONORARY BEAREROris Rogers Claire Smith Ron Engels Dr. Mike GrossFLOWER COMMITTEEThe Family COMMITTAL 2:00 P.M.Saint Patrick's Catholic Cemetery Walnut, IowaLUNCHEON The family extends an invitation for family and friends to join them for a luncheon at the Atlantic Catholic Parish Centerimmediately following the funeral service.The family encourages memorials be designated to American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association or Charity of Choice. For area church and cemetery directions, please click here:Church DirectionsCemetery Directions