Donald Walter Rieck was born to Walter Gustav Rieck and Aletha Marjorie Scriven Rieck in Cedar Rapids, Neb. the third of six children. He grew up near Belgrade, Neb., played basketball in school and worked on the family farm. He also sold seeds for garden vegetables.

In 1948 his family moved to Carmichael, Calif. He graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, Calif. at the age of 16. He went to work delivering milk for O.O. Grimes dairy in Fair Oaks, Calif., and there met his future bride, Johnnie Nell Grimes.

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and became engaged to Johnnie Grimes. He served in Albuquerque, N.M. and on the island of Eniwetok. He married Johnnie while on leave in 1953.

After Don was discharged the couple lived in New Mexico and California where Don established a landscaping business. The couple remained in Orangevale, Calif. for 16 years before moving to Joseph. Don continued his tractor work business and later cut firewood commercially in Wallowa County.

He loved the outdoors and was an enthusiastic hunter, fisherman, and mushroom picker. He enjoyed teaching his outdoor skills to his grandchildren.

In his later years he planted a vegetable garden and spent many hours tending and harvesting.

He was a member of the Chief Joseph Rodeo Committee and Grace Lutheran Church.

He had a number of health issues in his later years and underwent open-heart surgery four times before his death. He was grateful to the medical professionals in Wallowa County for the expert care he received.

He is survived by his wife, Johnnie of Joseph; son, Vernon of Merrimack, N.H.; daughter, Noree Lilly and her husband Derek of Hedley, B.C.; sisters, Margaret Hensen and her husband Darrel of Lincoln, Calif., Joan Hill of La Grande, Judy Rieck of Sacramento, Calif.: brother, Kenneth Rieck and his wife Sandy of Astoria; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ellen Kimmel and his son Matthew Rieck.

Memorial Services were held Saturday, June 5 at Joseph Baptist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa Valley Health Care Foundation c/o Bollman Funeral Home.