Robert Fredrick Rieger

Robert Fredrick Rieger, 93, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at the West River Medical Center, Hettinger, ND.

"Bob" Rieger, was the son of John and Pauline (Sonnefeldt) Rieger. He was born February 2, 1929, on the family ranch near Athboy, Corson County, South Dakota. He was baptized at the Twin Buttes Germany Lutheran Church on June 1, 1929; he was confirmed at the Isabel Lutheran Church.  He attended Isabel High School graduating in 1947. Due to the shortage of teachers, Bob taught school in Gopher, SD, before attending college in Spearfish, SD, with his sister Elnora. He left college to join the navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA.  Bob missed being shipped out with his navy training crew and later received an honorable medical discharge.

After being discharged, he went to Los Angeles, CA, and then hitch-hiked his way to Memphis, TN, to find work.  His assistance was needed on the family ranch, so Bob returned to Athboy. During this time, he worked for other ranchers in the area and delivered fuel for the Standard Oil Company.  Later he returned to Los Angeles and worked in construction. In 1955, he returned to the family ranch. He married Evelyn Peterson on September 7, 1956, and was blessed with five children.  In 1961, Bob and Evie took over the Rieger Family Ranch, living there until 1998 when they moved to Lemmon.

Robert Rieger is survived by his children: Vickie (Wade) Peterson of Lemmon; Georgine (Ted) Quade of Waukesha, WI; June (Kent) Quade of Randolph, WI, Donald (Tammy) of Milbank, SD, and Debbie (Kim) Salzsieder of Custer, SD. Grandchildren Nathan (Kelly) Quade of Eau Claire, children Dawson, Savannah, and Tanner; Rachel (Jake) Kearns of Markesan, WI, children Sawyer and Colt; Samantha Dolgner of Waupun, WI, children Ruby and Parker; Joseph Quade and Laura Manson of Madison, WI and daughter Cora; RJ Rieger and friend Preston Benson and son Ayden of Durango, CO; Jocelyn Rieger and Amanda Zephier of Sioux Falls, SD; Craig (Jena) Salzsieder; Bozeman, MT, children Arlo and Bodhi;  Brothers, Ray Rieger of Roseville, MN; Oscar (Lorraine) Rieger of Rapid City, SD, along with many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, one granddaughter Nicki Salzsieder, his parents, and siblings Henry, Viola Zimmerman, Herbert (childhood death), Elnora (childhood death), Wilma Schopp, Herbert, Elnora Kolb, Virginia Doerr, Lorraine Schafer.

Robert Rieger's Victory Service was held Monday, April 25, 2022, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.  Pastor Richard Kanzenbach officiated with burial in Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lemmon Ambulance Service and St. Luke's Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com