John Riener, 42, of Atwood, Kan., died Sept. 4, 2021, in Phillipsburg,
Kan. He was born March 10, 1979, at McCook Community Hospital to Karol
and Patricia (Marintzer) Riener. John graduated from Herndon High School
in 1997, Colby Community College in 1999, and Northwest Kansas Area
Vocational Technical School in 2000. On May 10, 2008, he married Keri
Waterman. To this union, two children, Barrett and Josie, were born.
John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of
Columbus in Atwood, Kan.
John was a farmer and rancher. His love of cattle and farming began at
an early age. He started building his own cattle herd while still in
college. John enjoyed the freedom of being outside in the fresh air
caring for his livestock. His pride in his work was evident as he told
the history of each of his cows or bulls. John also looked forward to
harvest each summer. He was part of a custom-cutting crew in high school
and spoke often of their adventures.
John’s faith and family were very important in his life. He enjoyed
spending quality time with his brothers and sister. Being the eldest
child, he was excited to follow their sporting events, college
successes, and growing families. He always said his ultimate prayer was
to have a family of his own. His children, Barrett and Josie, were his
pride and joy. John enjoyed evening walks, silly conversations, intense
basketball games, four-wheeler rides, board games, and movie nights with
them.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Riener; brothers,
Michael and Daniel Riener; grandparents, Harry and Margaret (Ketterl)
Riener and Hubert and Doris (Janousek) Marintzer. John is survived by
his wife, Keri, and children, Barrett and Josie, of Atwood, Kan.
Survivors also include his father Karol Riener and wife, Jacqueline of
Herndon, Kan.; brothers, James (Amy) Riener of Phillipsburg, Kan., and
Jeffrey (Megan) Riener of Stockton, Kan.; sister, Jessica (Landon)
Keller of Beaufort, S.C.; step-siblings, Calvin Hughes of Redmond, Wash.
and Kayla Hughes of Manhattan, Kan.; parents-in-law, Martin and Jane
Waterman of Atwood, Kan.; sister-in-law, Kristy (Tim) Plander of
Lincoln, Neb.; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and
friends.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021, at St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, in Herndon, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is
10:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, also at St. Mary’s. Burial will
take place in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Herndon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John Riener Children’s Education Fund and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.