Obituary of Irvin Riessen

Irvin Carl Riessen, the son of Carl L. and Matilda (Zinn) Riessen, was born on October 2, 1916 in Lincoln Township O’Brien County near Hartley, IA. He spent his childhood years growing up on the family farm, where he was educated in the Country School No. 5 of Lincoln Township. On March 29, 1944, Irvin was united in marriage to Betty Ruth Brown in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley. The couple was blessed with three children Dean, Diane and Gloria. Following their marriage the couple moved to a farm near May City where they joined St. John’s Lutheran Church. Irvin and Betty were engaged in farming for many years in and around the Hartley area until retiring in 1982. After retirement the couple moved to Spirit Lake and joined Immanuel Lutheran Church. Even after retiring, Irvin continued to work part time for his son-in-law on the farm and set-up machinery at Steinmetz-Jordan Implement in Melvin. Irvin passed away at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA on Thursday, November 22, 2007. Irvin’s greatest past time was bowling. He bowled for the Red’s Café Bowling team for many years; after he and Betty were married they bowled mixed doubles and went to many tournaments together. During his bowling days Irvin won many trophies for his high scores that he bowled. When he had some free time he also enjoyed fishing, later in life he loved to play the remote control watching T.V. He is survived by his wife: Betty of 63 years; son Dean Riessen and his wife, Carol, of Spencer, IA, daughters Diane Huls and her husband, Mike, of Melvin, IA, and Gloria Riessen of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Christina, Timothy and Britney Riessen; great-grandchildren Mercedes and Ashanti Riessen; brother: Kenny Riessen and his wife, Gayle, of Spencer, IA; nephew Mark Riessen and family of Spencer, IA; niece Joan Riessen and family of Brookings, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother and sister Esther. Irvin Carl Riessen Born ~ October 2, 1916 Died ~ November 22, 2007 Age ~ 91 years 1 month 20 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 26, 2007 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Phil Andreason Rev. David Ericksen Organist ~ Mary Lou Ayers Congregational Singing “How Great Thou Art” “23rd Psalm” “I’m But a Stranger Here” Pallbearers Gene Weitzema Tom Weitzema Mark Riessen Lon Jordan Milo Peters Ben Obinger Scott Steinmetz Gordon Williamson Honorary Pallbearers Christina Riessen Timothy Riessen Britney Riessen Orlo Jordan Rod Harms Denny Worden John Elgersma Russ Boles Ushers LeRoy Raabe Allan Dacken Interment Pleasant View Cemetery ~ Hartley, Iowa