Rieniets, Paul

Paul Rieniets, 88, of Monticello, died Friday, June 21, 2013, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery with military honors. The Rev. Darryl Larson will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at . In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or a charity of choice.

Surviving are four siblings, Leona Bender, Betty (Norman) Hinrichs, Mildred (Harvey) Hinrichs, all of Monticello, and Ray (Lorna) Rieniets of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Kathleen Streeper.

Paul Rieniets was born Jan. 27, 1925, in Richland Township, Jones County, Iowa, near Monticello. He was the son of Gerhard and Margret Guyan Rieniets. Paul received his early education in Richland Township, school #4. He graduated from the Monticello Community Schools with the class of 1943. Paul served in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was part of the Occupation Forces in Japan following the surrender. Following his return from service he worked for Art Riedel as a carpenter and later for Lester Ricklefs. From 1970 until 1990 Paul was the custodian for the REC in Anamosa.

Paul was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, where he was baptized on May 31, 1925, and confirmed his faith on April 2, 1939. Paul also was an usher for church services for many years.

Paul was a quiet, gentle soul. He helped build or remodel most of his siblings' homes. He had an interest in antique and classic cars and always was ready to take a ride through Richland Township.

Published June 23, 2013, in The Gazette