Cover photo for John Riestenberg's Obituary
John Riestenberg Profile Photo
1927 John 2012

John Riestenberg

April 16, 1927 — November 8, 2012

John "Jack" Joseph Riestenberg, 85, of Elizabeth, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.

He was born April 16, 1927 in Perham at the St. James Hospital, the son of John & Rose (Mohr) Riestenberg. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Perham. He attended country school and graduated from Perham High School.

In 1952, he was drafted into the Army and did a tour of duty in the Korean War. He received the Combat Infantryman's Badge for serving on the front lines. After the war, he worked as a truck mechanic in Buena Park, California for 3 years. He then returned home to work on the farm and took a job as a mechanic for Schmitz Ford in Perham.

In 1959, he married Odilia Guck at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. They rented a farm house west of Perham for two years and then moved to the farm by Fergus Falls. They spent the next 27 years farming, raising animals and five kids. In 1988 they moved to their home outside of Elizabeth. His happiest days were spent on the farm and he continued to go there almost daily until his stroke.

Jack was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, NFO, the Elizabeth Sportsman's Club, Carlisle Oil Board Member, and was a St. Elizabeth Trustee for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Odilia (Guck) of Elizabeth; children: Mark (Annette) Riestenberg of Perham, Bill (Kristi) Riestenberg of Fergus Falls, Teresa (Joe) Ingebrand of Perham, Jerry (Allison) Riestenberg of New Hope, MN, and Jane (Randy) Kvalheim of Otsego, MN; 18 grandchildren: Joseph, Erica, Jennifer, Andrew, Mary, Allison (Landon), Emily, Laura, Kayla, Beth, Dan, Annie, Maggie, Garrett, Claire, Nick, Nate and Emma; four siblings: Robert (Rita) Riestenberg of Perham, Dolores Riestenberg of Perham, Art Riestenberg of Perham and Mary Tacito of Wheatridge, Colorado.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bernard.

Visitation: 4 – 8 PM Monday, November 12, 2012, in Brenny Hall at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, with a Rosary at 6:30 PM and Prayer Service at 7 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at Brenny Hall.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11 AM Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Elizabeth

Interment: St. Elizabeth Catholic Cemetery

Clergy: Father Jeff Ethen

Online Condolences: GlendeNilson.com

The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements for Jack Riestenberg

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Riestenberg, please visit our flower store.

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