Clarence "Bud" Riha
Clarence “Bud” Riha, 74, of Harpers Ferry died Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, October 4 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Fr. Nick Radloff and Deacon Jim Zajicek officiating. Burial will be at Bohemian National Cemetery, rural Protivin. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until time of services at the church Wednesday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
Clarence “Bud” Stanley Riha was born November 2, 1948 in Decorah, the son of Clarence Sr. and Verena (Schneberger) Riha. He graduated from Rudolphinum High School in Protivin in 1967. After high school, he moved to Cedar Rapids to live with his sister, Betty. Bud worked odd jobs until he landed his forever job at Western Electric in Cedar Rapids, where he worked until he retired.
He met Sandi Vopava at a drawing in Protivin. On their first date, they walked through a cemetery to a party, where he told her he would marry her someday. September 18, 1971, Bud and Sandi were married at Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin and lived in Cedar Rapids until 2008. They moved to Waukon and then finally to Harpers Ferry.
Bud enjoyed visiting and sharing stories with family and friends. He enjoyed tinkering in the garage, helping people out and giving them a hard time. He liked fishing and boating on the Mississippi as well. Bud also enjoyed sitting on his deck, watching the people and cars go by. He loved the show “Gunsmoke” and being the Chief Officer of the Golf Cart Police.
Survivors include his loving wife, Sandi, of Harpers Ferry; his daughter, Lori, of Marion; a sister, Betty Nierling of Cedar Rapids; a brother-in-law, Ron Fritz of Protivin; his mother-in-law, Lorraine Vopava of Protivin; five sisters-in-law: Susan Hayek of Decorah and Sharon (Jim) Panos of Protivin, Mary (Gordy Snitker) Moen of Decorah, LouAnn (Matt) Collins of Wisconsin, and Roberta (Gary) Swestka of Protivin; and many amazing nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Stan and Bette Riha; a sister, Mary Fritz; a brother-in-law, Jerry Nierling; his father-in-law, Robert Vopava; and a nephew, Monty Riha.
Honorary urnbearers are Aaron and Chad Fritz, Mac and Mitch Nierling, Lynn Panos, and Billy and Bobby Swestka. Urnbearers are Dustin Panos and Mark Nierling.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
