Arnie Rieth

Arnold 'Arnie' Herman Rieth, 77, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024, at Linn Community Nursing Home, with his children by his side and his son trying to make it there. He was born on Jan. 5, 1947, at the family farm near Hanover to Frank and Clara (Siebenhaar) Rieth. Arnie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Upon graduation from Hanover High School, Arnie joined the United States Army Reserve in May 1966, where he served as a cook, and attended basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves in December of 1971.

Arnie married the love of his life, Trudy, on Feb. 9, 1974. With that union, he gained a son when he adopted Travis. Arnie and Trudy later welcomed two daughters, Shana and Moriah, bringing even more joy into their lives.

Arnie tirelessly and faithfully supported his family by working long hours milking cows, farming, managing the local sale barn, and overseeing Purina and Nutrena feed stores. Later in his career, he spent many days away from home driving trucks over the road. He retired from Great Plains Trucking on March 1, 2013. Retirement brought too much downtime for him, so he started hauling milk part-time for Leduc Milk Hauling until he was physically no longer able to.

Arnie enjoyed many things in life. He had a passion for polka music and even had the pleasure of meeting his favorite polka performer, Molly B. He shared his love for polka with his kids by teaching them how to polka in the milk barn after milking was done. Arnie also cherished the tradition of exchanging gag gifts with his brother-in-law Phil. He loved red beer, tractors, country cruises, and spending time with family. He took great joy in attending his kids' and grandkids' events.

Arnie was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Washington before becoming a member of St Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Marysville after moving to the area. Arnie was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, where he found strength in his Catholic faith.

Arnie's ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive, and love will be forever ingrained in all who knew him.

Arnie is survived by his children: Travis (Debra) Rieth of Marysville, Shana (Troy) Jensen of Washington, and Moriah (Dallas) Dobrovolny of Waterville. He is also survived by his brother Kenneth (Barb) Rieth of Washington, sisters Virginia Parker of Linn, and Marcella Rieth of Hanover, and sister-in-laws Betty Rieth of Washington, Cheryl Rieth of Hanover, and Carol Meyers of Jacksonville, Florida. He leaves behind eight grandchildren: Amber Jensen, Alyssa Jensen, Korbin Becker, Cota Rieth, Lane Rieth, Brookyln Dobrovolny, Tabitha Dobrovolny, and Kylee Dobrovolny, and one great-granddaughter, Guinevere O'Roke. Arnie is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Trudy, his parents Frank and Clara Rieth, his parents-in-law Fred and Edna Perkins, his brothers Dwayne Rieth, Bernard Rieth, and Gary Rieth, his sister Rosella Heier, and his brothers-in-law Phil Heier, Arthur Parker and Jim Meyers.

Viewing was from noon to 4 p.m. on April 14 at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville followed by a rosary at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Marysville. The family received guests after the rosary.

A Mass of Christian Burial was April 15 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Marysville with Father Quentin Schmitz as the Celebrant. Rosemary Forst provided the music, and Michele Beaman sang 'Be Not Afraid', 'You Are Mine” and “How Great thou Art.” Pallbearers were Mark Heier, Roger Heier, Scott Parker, Curtis Parker, Lee Rieth, Alan Rieth. Honorary pallbearers were Lawerence Minge, Larry Baxa, Terry LeDuc, Zach Rieth. Interment, with Military Honors provided by SMN&R Post 163 of the American Legion, were at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Cemetery in Marysville.

Memorials are suggested to Linn Community Nursing Home and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.

Washington County News • April 18, 2024