EVELYN RIECKMANN
March 15, 1936 - June 24, 2023
Obituary
After five long years of struggling with multiple myeloma cancer and diabetes, our Lord and Savior took Evelyn in his loving arms and put her pain and tired body to rest. Evelyn J. (Ruppel) Rieckmann, age 87, passed away on June 24, 2023. She was born March 15, 1936 to Louis and Ottelia (Marks) Ruppel at home in Pella Township in Shawano County, Wisconsin. She was baptized at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Symco, WI and confirmed in 1950 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dale, WI. Evelyn graduated 8th grade from Hickory Grove Elementary School. She attended part of her freshman year at Lakeview High School in Evanston, IL. Evelyn graduated from Washington High School in New London, WI in 1954. Her first job out of high school was with AAL, now Thrivent in Appleton.
Evelyn met the love of her life, Vern Rieckmann, at the Octagon Ballroom in Dale, WI in the summer of 1954. On May 25, 1957, they were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New London. Evelyn joined Vern in 1958 in Moses Lake, Washington, where he was stationed with the United States Air Force. Of the many jobs Evelyn had after marriage to Vern, besides raising a family, her most memorable was office manager at WRJQ-WVMS AM radio in Neenah, WI where they played polka music. Her last job prior to retirement was with the American Heart Association of the Fox River Valley. While working and raising her children, Evelyn also served her community as a cub scout leader and Sunday school teacher at her local Lutheran church. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Evelyn enjoyed traveling with her husband. In 1988 they took a three-week tour of Europe and went by train to most of the countries of central Europe. They also they spent a week in Fairbanks, Alaska. Evelyn and Vern retired in 1996 and sponsored a foreign exchange student from Thailand. Her name was Siriwan Nitsiwan and she attended Neenah High School for the 1996-1997 school year. Vern and Evelyn purchased an RV and traveled throughout the Midwest to attend polka fests. They took two cruise ship tours, including one with the Jerry Schneider Polka Band. They also spent several winters in Florida and Arizona in their RV. Apache Junction, Arizona, was their favorite spot as there were plenty of polka bands to enjoy there and the location was within walking distance of a Lutheran church.
Evelyn is survived by her husband Vern; four children David (Dawn) Rieckmann, Paul Rieckmann, Jonathan (Pamela) Rieckmann, and Sara (Curtis) Hines; five grandchildren Erin Rieckmann, Zachary Hines, Julia Rieckmann, Max Hines, and Katherine Rieckmann; sisters Carol (Bob) Grossman and Karen (Gene) Fischer, brother Donald Ruppel, and brother-in-law John (Mary) Rieckmann. She was preceded in death by six brothers Ervin, Harry, Arlyn, Milton, Leroy, and Johnny as well as sisters Lillian and Donna.
As per Evelyn's wishes, she will be cremated and laid to rest at Dale Union Cemetery in Medina, WI. A private, family, Christian Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neenah at a later date. In lieu of flowers, condolences may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 200 N. Commercial Street, Neenah, WI, 54956. Evelyn asked that any donations be made to the church or to Lutheran World Relief in her name.
The family wishes to thank Compassus Hospice, their nursing staff, and care givers. Further thanks go to Tom and Jackie Martin of Living Tree Estates in Greenville, WI along with the dedicated care givers there who made it a home-like atmosphere for Evelyn during her stay.
” I miss you and love you my sweetheart and I will see you in heaven where we will be dancing together again”, Vern.