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John “Jack” Joseph Riestenberg, 85, of Elizabeth,
Published 9:18am Monday, November 12, 2012 Updated 11:20am Monday, November 12, 2012John Riestenberg, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.
He was born April 16, 1927, in Perham, at St. James Hospital, the son of John and 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, Calif., for three 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, and Jane (Randy) Kvalheim of Otsego; 18 grandchildren, Joseph, Erica, Jennifer, Andrew, Mary, Allison (Landon), Emily, Laura, Kayla, Beth, Dan, Annie, Maggie, Garrett, Claire, Nick, Nate and Emma; and four siblings, Robert (Rita) Riestenberg of Perham, Dolores Riestenberg of Perham, Art Riestenberg of Perham and Mary Tacito of Wheatridge, Colo.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Bernard.
Visitation: Monday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Elizabeth
Clergy: Father Jeff Ethen
Burial: St. Elizabeth Catholic Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences may be sent online at GlendeNilson.com
