Roland J. “Ron” Riekena, 68, of Dubuque, died Monday, January 4, 2016 at home surrounded by those he loved. Funeral Services will be 10: 30 a.m. Monday at Grand View United Methodist Church Where Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 7 pm and Monday from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Military rites will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League following the service.
Ron was born October 17, 1947 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, son of Ben J. and Doris (Simpson) Riekena. After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School, he served in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War, aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. Waldron, DD-699, as a gunner’s mate. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of Dubuque.
On September 20, 1974, he married Carol Breitbach in Dubuque.
He was co-owner of the Union Bus Depot in Dubuque. He later went into sales with the St. Regis paper company. He continued his sales career with Georgia Pacific Corporation and retired in 2010 as a regional sales manager.
He traveled extensively with his job and made many lasting friendships with both coworkers and customers that extended through his retirement.
Ron had a great passion for bird dogs and hunting. He particularly enjoyed hunts with friends in the Northern Plains of South Dakota. He loved his bird dogs, Belle and Missy.
Ron was a member of Grandview Methodist church. He served on the board for the Izaak Walton League, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He was also a member of the American Legion and Elks Lodge. He and his wife were members of the Thunder Hills Golf Club.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol Riekena of Dubuque and daughter, Amy (Jim) Connor of West Linn, Oregon and their two children, Mary and Charlie Connor; a sister, Mary Kay Patters of Dubuque; brothers in law, Don (Nancy) Breitbach of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Larry (Fran) Breitbach of Dubuque, Pedro (Carol) Breitbach of Alamogordo, New Mexico and Dave (Vickie) Breitbach of McGregor. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ron Riekena Memorial Fund, Hospice of Dubuque, or Grand View United Methodist Church.
The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
For further information, please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Iowa Cancer Center and Hospice of Dubuque for all of their wonderful care.