Ritchie Grant Rihner

January 7, 1936 ~ December 1, 2014

FAMILY WILL GREET FRIENDS

Monday, December 8, 2014

10:00-11:00 AM

United Lutheran Church

Shelby, IA

MEMORIAL SERVICE DETAILS

Monday, December 8, 2014

11:00 AM

United Lutheran Church

Shelby, IA

SURVIVORS

Wife – Sheila Rihner of Shelby, IA

1 Son – Christopher (Shannon) Rihner of Santa Margarita, CA

2 Step-sons – Mark Thornton of San Diego, CA

Dale Thornton of Creston, IA

1 Step-daughter – Dena (Dan) Karchar of Monroe, MI

2 Grandchildren – Calli White

Dane Rihner

1 Great-grandson – Isaiah White

Other Relatives & Friends

Ritchie Grant Rihner, son of Grant John and Ellen Marie (Jorgensen) Rihner, was born on January 7, 1936, in Shelby, Iowa. He graduated from Shelby Consolidated High School in 1953 and worked for the Great Western Rail Road at Tennant, Iowa. Ritchie served active duty in the United States Army 10th Mountain Division, CLR, stationed in Germany from 1955-58, and with the Army Reserves from 1958-62. He attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he studied finance. Ritchie worked in the Corporate Financial Lending Industry for the Automotive manufacturers in Council Bluffs and Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Long Beach, California, for over 30 years before retiring to Shelby in May 1996. On April 23, 1994, Ritchie married Sheila Marie Straub in Laughlin, Nevada.

Ritchie was a member of the United Lutheran Church in Shelby. He was a private, quiet, and humble man who treasured time visiting with family and close friends. Ritchie enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors, especially with his dogs.

Ritchie G. Rihner died on Monday, December 1, 2014, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, having reached the age of 78 years, 10 months, and 24 days.

Ritchie was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, John Rihner and Jeff Rihner. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Rihner of Shelby, Iowa; one son, Christopher (Shannon) Rihner of Santa Margarita, California; two step-sons, Mark Thornton of San Diego, California, and Dale Thornton of Creston, Iowa; one step-daughter, Dena (Dan) Karchar of Monroe, Michigan; two grandchildren, Calli White and Dane Rihner; one great-grandson, Isaiah White; five sisters, Kay Louis, Judy Czajkowski, Sue Schnepel, Pat Morris, and Becci Miller; and other family and friends.

The memorial service was held on Monday, December 8, 2014, at the United Lutheran Church in Shelby, Iowa, with Pastor Heather Ploen officiating. Nancy Armstrong served as the organist, and Bonnie Peters was the soloist. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Shelby, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.