Vernon C Rieger

Vernon C. Rieger, 96, died August 6, 2025, at Missouri Slope Hillview Campus. Services will start with burial beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Friday, August 15 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND. A livestream of the funeral service will be available here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigniVHcO26MNkLk4KvcNyw

Vernon was born on July 7, 1929, on the family farm in rural McIntosh County, the son of Emanuel & Christina Rieger. Vernon completed eighth grade education at a farm school only a few miles from the family farm. Vernon’s main occupation in his early years was farming with his father and later taking over the farming operation and running it himself. He also operated “Rieger Repair Shop” and did lots of mechanic work for himself and all of his neighbors around the area. He was well known for his ability to repair anything.

He joined the Army National Guard in 1947 and served until 1952. He achieved the rank of Corporal. He also served on active duty in Alabama for 2 years during the Korean War. After his time in Alabama, he returned to the family farm in North Dakota.

Soon after, he and a good friend decided to move to San Francisco, CA. After about four months, Vernon decided California was not for him, sold his car, and returned to North Dakota.

He was also employed at the Schlenker Garage in Wishek for a while.

He married Esther Kuebler on Jan. 29, 1967. They raised two boys on the farm, James & Steven. He continued to farm and operate his repair shop until he and his family moved to Bismarck in 1984. He then worked over 20 years as a maintenance man at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center.

His main activity during retirement was his morning coffee group at McDonald’s and keeping his ’69 Chevy “doctored up” as he put it. He loved that truck. In his later years, he traveled to Arizona with his son Steven for a few months in the winter. He absolutely loved the Arizona sun, as well as visiting with friends & family in the Phoenix area.

He became ill in April while in Arizona with his son. They returned to Bismarck in July, and he was hospitalized, then moved to Missouri Slope on hospice care. While there, he was awarded a Quilt of Honor during a Veteran Pinning and Quilt of Honor Award Ceremony. He and his family were very proud of this honor.

Vernon is survived by his two sons, James (Penny) Rieger, Fort Lee, VA & Steven Rieger, Bismarck; one sister, Judy (Del) Boschee, Moorhead, MN.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, one brother Clarence (May) Rieger, and one foster sister Vermona Kauk.