Harry Rieger

Harry Rieger passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Harry was born on December 6th, 1930 in Hillsview, South Dakota to Jacob and Matilda Rieger, he was the second of 9 children. He spent his early years working on his family's farm and in his father's cobbler shop. The highlight of Harry's early life was joining the Air Force in 1950, he was stationed in Michigan and Alaska, where he worked as a Radar Technician monitoring the Distance Early Warning Sites throughout the state. After leaving the military he returned to South Dakota where he met the love of his life, Ronita Stern, they were married on June 2, 1957. After the wedding, they headed for Seattle, WA where he had a job working as a Machinist at Boeing. He had always wanted to own and operate a motel so missing the clear skies of the Midwest he moved his family back to South Dakota where he built and operated a small motel and restaurant. In 1967, he packed up his family again and headed out to Arizona for a job but Sundstrand in Denver interrupted his trip, when he applied and was hired on the spot. Harry was known to be a lucky guy and this was proven when he won a new Ford Mustang GT, which he sold to purchase the Empire Motel in Brush. He then moved his family, which now included his four children - Natalie, Glenn, Valerie and Wade, to Brush in 1970. He loved owning and operating the motel. He had a love for people that showed in the way he interacted with the customers who stayed at the motel. Many would make it a point to stop and see him whenever they passed through Brush. He enjoyed living in Brush and raising his children here. He was a faithful attendee at football, basketball, and baseball games, where he was known to visit as much with the crowds as he was watching the games. After 24 years in the motel business, he decided it was time to sell the motel and enjoy retirement...which he did. Him and Ronita traveled the world visiting numerous countries and taking each of their grandchildren on cruises when they turned 16. He would always say "look at all the new friends I am going to meet on this cruise." He was very active in the local community serving on the City Council and on the Housing Authority Board. He truly cared about the future of Morgan County, and he leaves behind many friends and acquaintances. He was a dedicated member of the community and faithfully attended the Immanuel Congregational church, where he served on the board of trustees. He enjoyed life to the fullest, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and meeting new friends throughout the world. He is survived by his loving wife, Ronita, and their four children, Natalie Bjerke, Glenn Rieger, Valerie Thompson, and Wade Rieger, and by his eight grandchildren, Megan, Matthew and Mallori Bjerke; Trenton, Jordon and Bryce Thompson; April and Hannah Rieger. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Briar Strickland, Jack and Hazel Thompson, and by two sisters, Deloras Nelson and Darleen Hahler, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visitation will be Friday February 26th from 3-6pm at Heer Mortuary in Brush. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday February 27th at 11:00am the at the Immanuel Congregational Church in Brush. The family would like to thank everyone who has extended condolences and in lieu of flowers any donations can be made to the Immanuel Congregational Church.