Rieck, Dorothy Jean

Dorothy Jean Rieck, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in her home. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Asbury United Methodist Church by Pastor Ed Powers. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include two sons, Gary (Karen) of Marion and Randall (Eleonora) of Cedar Rapids; two daughters, Peggy of Cedar Rapids and Roxanne (Tony) Daugherty of Missouri; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary (Wally) Hawker of Manchester; and a brother, Richard (Sharon) Schwertfeger of Fairfax.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Dora Schwertfeger; her husband, Harlan; and a brother, Lewis.

Dorothy was born July 14, 1928, the daughter of Lewis and Dora (Refer) Schwertfeger, in Deep River, Iowa. She graduated from Deep River High School as valedictorian of her class and went on to William Penn, where she received her teaching certificate. She then taught in a one room school house. On Feb. 15, 1948, Dorothy was united in marriage to Harlan W. Rieck at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in rural Williamsburg. She worked at J.C. Penney and Younkers, retiring in 1987.

Dorothy was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and volunteered for Pautz. She was a Cub Scout den mother and Campfire Girls leader.

A very loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, she will be dearly missed.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice Compassus and Home Choice and Dr. Melanie Stahlberg and staff.

Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist or Hospice Compassus in memory of Dorothy.

Please sign the online guest book for Dorothy at under obituaries.