Lifelong resident of Sheridan County, Alfred “Al” John Rietcheck, 89,
passed away on Friday, November 13, 2020, at the Sheridan County Health
Complex Long Term Care in Hoxie, Kansas. Al was born in rural Sheridan
County to John P. and Rose K. (Geerdes) Rietcheck on December 19, 1930.
He was the oldest of seven children. He attended Country School before
graduating from Sheridan Community High School with the class of 1949.
After high school, he served his country for four years as a member
of the United States Air Force including a tour in Japan during the
Korean War. After completing his time in the US Air Force, Al married
the love of his life, Barbara Bange, on August 25, 1956 at St. Martin of
Tours Catholic Church in Seguin, Kansas. They were married for
sixty-three years. Al and Barbara were the parents of eleven
boys.They made their home in Seguin where Al had a mechanic shop and
worked on all types of vehicles and heavy equipment. They moved to Hoxie
a few years ago to live out their remaining time together.
Al was very mechanically minded from a young age. When in high
school, Al completed several mechanical projects including a home-built
tractor and a self-propelled walk behind mower that he used to mow the
Seguin Cemetery. His natural talent for all things mechanical led to
the opening of his business, Rietcheck Repair. Al was a hard worker and
when he wasn’t fixing something in his shop, he was tinkering with a
project. In 1980, Al developed a brain tumor. He went to Denver to
have surgery to remove the tumor but had a blood clot following surgery.
Al spent the next 3 months recovering and relearning basic life
skills. Al was tough and knew he had a family at home that still needed
him. When Al wasn’t working, he enjoyed doing woodworking projects. Al
and Barbara really enjoyed traveling to Al’s Air Force reunions that
were held all over the country. The last one they attended was in 2019
in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They told their family if they didn’t
want to take them to the airport, they would get on a plane in Hays and
go themselves. Needless to say, the family took them to the airport
and picked them up after the trip. Al’s whole life was his family and
work. His immediate and extended family were very important to him. Al
had a very close relationship with his son, Brian, who was the youngest
in the family and always held a special place in his heart.
Al is survived by his sons, Donald Rietcheck of Hoxie, Kansas,
Ronald Rietcheck of Hoxie, Kansas, Gerald Rietcheck (Cynthia) of
Wichita, Kansas, David Rietcheck (Lori) of Goodland, Kansas, Daniel
Rietcheck (Char) of Colby, Kansas, Roger Rietcheck (LaDonna) of Hoxie,
Kansas, Gregory Rietcheck (Kriste) of Bavaria, Kansas, Terrance
Rietcheck of Collyer, Kansas, Richard Rietcheck of Rochester,
Washington, Andrew Rietcheck (Denise) of Rossville, Kansas, and Brian
Rietcheck of Hays, Kansas; sisters, Carolyn Gatschet (Paul) of Hays,
Kansas and Phyllis Melenson (Ralph) of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas;
brothers, Elmer Rietcheck (Bernadine) of South Hutchinson, Kansas, and
Vernon Rietcheck of Hoxie, Kansas; sister-in-law, Roberta Rietcheck of
Colby, Kansas; brother-in-law, Kenneth Ostmeyer of Garden City, Kansas;
grandchildren, Raina, Drew, Brady, Rhonda, Kyle, Lucinda, Jayme, Trevor,
Kaleen, Kayler, Lacee, Lane, Chase, D.J, Austin, Laura, Jeremiah, Cody,
Bryna, Brandon, Wesley, Sierra, Daisy, Andrea, Ashley, and Dylan; great
grandchildren, Carter, Octavia, Trenton, Jackson, Jaron, Josie,
Jayla, Remi, Isla, Abbigail, Elliott, Noah, Kenzie, Connor, Grace,
Clark, Penny, Harley; and many friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; parents, John and
Rose Rietcheck; sister, Dorothy Ostmeyer; brother, Robert Rietcheck;
grandchildren, Dustin John Rietcheck and Kinsey Elizabeth
Rietcheck; and great grandchild Kimber Marie Rietcheck.
A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Tuesday,
November 17, 2020, at the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Seguin,
Kansas, 10:00 A.M. The interment will immediately follow the service
in the St. Martin Cemetery, Seguin; all are invited to attend the
graveside service at the cemetery. Visitation and Vigil/Rosary are open
to the public and will be held Monday, November 16, 2020 at
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home. Visitation is from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00
P.M. with the Vigil/Rosary Service at 7:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested
to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, St Martin Cemetery Fund, or
Developmental Service of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) and may be sent in
care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.
Please go to mickeyleopoldfuneral.com to leave words of comfort for the
family. The service will be recorded and posted on
mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
Al was a quiet man who loved his family dearly. God saw that Al was
tired and ready to go home. His hard working hands were laid to rest.
So cherish his memory, smile, love and go on as he would want you to
do.