Vernon C. Riekena

Vernon C. Riekena, age 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Hospital with his family at his side. Vernon was born November 14, 1932, in Crystal Lake, Iowa, son of the late Henry and Amanda (Nee: Helm) Riekena.

On March 23, 1963, at Freidens Lutheran Church in Kenosha he was united in marriage to Carol L. Kaddatz. Vernon served in the United States Air Force (during the end of the Korean War) from March of 1952 to December of 1955. Vernon earned an Associate's Degree in Applied Science and Electronic Technology from DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, IL. He worked at Oster Manufacturing as an Engineering Technician for eight years and then as a Test Technician at J.I. Case Company for twenty-seven plus years. After retiring from J.I. Case Company, he worked five years for VRI Technical Services (at J.I. Case Company) retiring in November of 1997. He attended Atonement Lutheran Church. Vernon enjoyed playing golf. He enjoyed his grandchildren and especially enjoyed attending their sporting events (hockey, soccer, basketball and baseball).

Survivors include his loving wife of forty-eight years, Carol; his children and their spouses, Dwayne (Beth) Riekena of Racine, Darrell (Kimberly) Riekena of Minneapolis, MN, Deborah (Dan) Andersen of Racine, and Dana (Sean) Traci of Wilmette, IL; his eight grandchildren, Justin, Amanda (fiancé, Dylan Sucharda) and Matthew Riekena, Jack Riekena, Nicholas and Alyssa Andersen, Colm and Bridget Traci; his one great-granddaughter, Alexis Riekena; one brother and five sisters, Kenneth (Carol Macken) Riekena of Sun City, AZ, Vivian Pletcher of Britt, Iowa, Arlene (George) Schmidt of Garner, Iowa, Lorraine (Shelly) Bohn of Mason City, Iowa, Janice (Jim) Marshall of Austin, MN, and Marilyn (Tom) Haley of Ham Lake, MN; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, LeRoy; a sister, Donna; his grandparents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15, 2011, at 5 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., with Rev. Dr. Warren Williams officiating. Private interment with full military honors will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 3 p.m. until time of service at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation or Atonement Lutheran Church.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888