Arnold Rieckman

ARNOLD RIECKMAN was born to Theodore and Elisabeth (Muller) Rieckman on a farm in Denver Township, Rock County, MN. A short time later he and his family moved to Bellingham, MN. At a young age, he and his family moved to Jersey City, NJ. During his high school years, Arnold enjoyed spending the summers at the Herman Muller farm near Jasper, MN. In December 1944, Arnold entered the United States Navy and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in November 1947. He then returned home furthered his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. On October 28, 1950 Arnold was united in marriage to Helen Sehr at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. The couple spent time in Colorado Springs, CO, Brookings and Sisseton, SD. While in Colorado Springs, Arnold served in the United States Army National Guard at Ft. Carson. Arnold spent most of his professional career working for the county extension agency, primarily in farm management. He also spent some time as a cattle buyer while living in Hector, SD. Along with his career, Arnold and Helen were blessed with nine children. They made their home in many places including, Selby, SD, Hector, Dupree, SD, Custer, SD, Lake Andes, SD, and Aurora, SD. Helen preceded him in death on December 27, 1996. Arnold remained in Aurora until October 26, 2002 when he was united in marriage to Janice Sehr. The couple made their home in Jasper. In May 2010, Arnold became a resident at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN, where on Thursday, February 18, 2016 he died peacefully at the age of 88 years, nine months and five days.

Arnold was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and attained the rank of a 4th degree knight. Arnold was a member of the National County Extension Association. He was also a member or the American Legion, VFW, the 40 & 8 and the Golden Kiwanis Club in Brookings. He enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, woodworking and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Twins and South Dakota State University Jackrabbits.

Arnold is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice Rieckman of Jasper; children, Colleen (Roger) Brown of Aurora, SD, Terry (Pat) Rieckman of Salem, SD, Dennis (Kathy) Rieckman of Sioux Falls, SD, Tom (Sue) Rieckman of Columbus, NE, John (Marita) Rieckman of Clay Center, NE, Jean (Joel) Haar of Mankato, MN, Jeff (Lori) Rieckman of Kimball, SD, and Kathy (Dave) Dargatz of Watertown, SD; step-children, Mary (Greg) Heiberger of Beresford, SD, and Suzanne (Joe) Carlson of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter-in-law, Julie Rieckman of Estelline, SD; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and four step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Helen; son, James Rieckman; grandchildren, Samantha Slouka and Justin Dargatz; infant grandsons, James and Thomas Rieckman; and a sister, Lois Rieckman.