Robert "Bob" Rieder, age 79, of Monroe, Wisconsin died Saturday, March 24th, 2012 surrounded by his family at Monroe Clinic Hospital following emergency surgery and a brief time in the ICU. He was born in Monroe to John & Dorothy (Dettwiler) Rieder on July 10, 1932. He graduated in 1950 from Monroe High School where he played football and four years of varsity basketball. Bob was the first Cheese Days' king in 1950, when royalty was elected from high school seniors.
He farmed with his father in rural Monroe after graduation until 1953 when he was drafted into the US Army and proudly served as a medic with the 5th RCT and later with the 25th Division. He was stationed in Korea before returning to the homestead where he continued to farm. He married Gloria Jonas on September 10, 1960 at Salem's UCC, Wayne, WI. The couple eventually bought the family farm and lived there until 1989 when their eldest son (Dan) took over the farm and they moved into Monroe. His love for the farm remained with him his entire lifetime with his passion being Brown Swiss cattle. He served as a director of the Chalet Cheese Co-op for 30 years. During his retirement, he worked 20 years as a seasonal employee for Swiss Colony, and part-time for Scherer's Moving & Storage and PFC. He was a volunteer at Monroe's National Historic Cheesemaking Center and a member of the American Legion Zilmer Riley Post No 84. He enjoyed many years as a catcher for the Gempler-sponsored fastpitch team and bowled in leagues at Turner Hall. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren's athletic events. His family and grandchildren and spending time with them were the joys of his life. Bob was a lifelong, active member of St. John's UCC and most recently served on the Mission Committee. He was a regular volunteer at Second Harvest food pantry and organized euchre parties at Garden Apartments. Over the years he enjoyed trips with his wife to Switzerland, Germany, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gloria, and his children, Ann Prophett and grandchildren Nicole and Ben; Sue (Randy) Armstrong and grandchildren Jamie, Andrew and Becca; Dan (Angie) Rieder, and grandchildren, Nick, Kris, Kaiden and Kailey Rieder and Jade and Alexa McWorthy; Mark (Barb Steffens) Rieder and grandson, Colton of Seattle, WA; a sister Mildred "Toody" Ross and brother-in-law, Jim "Shorty" of Sun Prairie; niece Peggy Ross and nephews Paul (Sue) Rieder and Michael (Allen Beatty) Ross.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Fredrick Rieder, sister-in-law Hulda Rieder and niece Jane Rieder.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, 1455 Mansion Drive & N. 18th Avenue in Monroe.
A memorial service will take place at St John's UCC in Monroe on Saturday, March 31st beginning at 1:00 pm with Rev. William T. Mike Heath officiating. A private family ceremony will be held for his cremains at a later date.
The family prefers that gifts and donations in Bob's honor be made to St. John's UCC in lieu of flowers.
He farmed with his father in rural Monroe after graduation until 1953 when he was drafted into the US Army and proudly served as a medic with the 5th RCT and later with the 25th Division. He was stationed in Korea before returning to the homestead where he continued to farm. He married Gloria Jonas on September 10, 1960 at Salem's UCC, Wayne, WI. The couple eventually bought the family farm and lived there until 1989 when their eldest son (Dan) took over the farm and they moved into Monroe. His love for the farm remained with him his entire lifetime with his passion being Brown Swiss cattle. He served as a director of the Chalet Cheese Co-op for 30 years. During his retirement, he worked 20 years as a seasonal employee for Swiss Colony, and part-time for Scherer's Moving & Storage and PFC. He was a volunteer at Monroe's National Historic Cheesemaking Center and a member of the American Legion Zilmer Riley Post No 84. He enjoyed many years as a catcher for the Gempler-sponsored fastpitch team and bowled in leagues at Turner Hall. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren's athletic events. His family and grandchildren and spending time with them were the joys of his life. Bob was a lifelong, active member of St. John's UCC and most recently served on the Mission Committee. He was a regular volunteer at Second Harvest food pantry and organized euchre parties at Garden Apartments. Over the years he enjoyed trips with his wife to Switzerland, Germany, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gloria, and his children, Ann Prophett and grandchildren Nicole and Ben; Sue (Randy) Armstrong and grandchildren Jamie, Andrew and Becca; Dan (Angie) Rieder, and grandchildren, Nick, Kris, Kaiden and Kailey Rieder and Jade and Alexa McWorthy; Mark (Barb Steffens) Rieder and grandson, Colton of Seattle, WA; a sister Mildred "Toody" Ross and brother-in-law, Jim "Shorty" of Sun Prairie; niece Peggy Ross and nephews Paul (Sue) Rieder and Michael (Allen Beatty) Ross.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Fredrick Rieder, sister-in-law Hulda Rieder and niece Jane Rieder.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, 1455 Mansion Drive & N. 18th Avenue in Monroe.
A memorial service will take place at St John's UCC in Monroe on Saturday, March 31st beginning at 1:00 pm with Rev. William T. Mike Heath officiating. A private family ceremony will be held for his cremains at a later date.
The family prefers that gifts and donations in Bob's honor be made to St. John's UCC in lieu of flowers.