Raymond Riek
Raymond George Riek, 79, of Waukon died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services with military honors were held Friday, February 28 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery.
Raymond George Riek was born March 4, 1945, the son of George and Alida (Aure) Riek. He was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1963. Raymond served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967, serving three years in France and one year in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.
May 17, 1969, he married Linda Marie Bechtel at Old West Paint Creek, and they later divorced but remained friends. Raymond farmed until 1986 and was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1978. After selling the farm, he went on to buy his own semi-truck and started trucking over the road as “Fuzzee”. He hauled for Bud Meyer, JB Hunt, Jerry Sommer, and Al Quandahl.
Raymond was a lifelong resident of Waukon. He was a volunteer for the rural Waukon Fire District for many years, and was an honorable Air Force Veteran, receiving a Quilt of Valor in 2020. He was a lifelong member of Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, proudly serving on many committees.
Over the years, his hobbies included fishing, farming, talking about truck driving, woodworking, card playing, bonfires with friends (“driveway drinkers”), and spending time with all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include Linda Riek; his children: Lisa (Jake) Christianson of Waukon, Kim (Graham) Cole of Cedar Rapids, Kristie (Curt) Welch of Waukon, and Brian (Angie) Riek of Cedar Rapids; 12 grandchildren: Cody Runice, Kiersten (Logan) Holstad, Brandon and Tyler Cole, Mackenzie (Justin) and Marina Kaeser, Kole, Kamryn, Keegan, and Killian Welch, and Jackson and Jameson Riek; his great-grandchildren: Mercadees, Addysen, Amiiyah, Alyxzandr, and Huxton; an aunt, Lillian Larson; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Honorary casketbearers were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casketbearers were Troy Hansmeier, Dave and Steve Bakke, Dave Christianson, Al Bakkum, and Tim Steffenson. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
