Joan Rietz

1935 - 2025

Joan Rietz

December 11, 1935 - April 16, 2025

Joan L. Rietz, 89, of Coralville, formerly of Cedar Falls and Rowan, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Stirlingshire of Coralville.

Funeral services for Joan Rietz will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the United Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch Street, in Rowan, Iowa, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Rowan.

Visitation for Joan Rietz will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane South, in Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday morning.

Joan Laurette Aldrich was born December 11, 1935, to R.E. Lee "Fox" and Edna (Bohning) Aldrich in rural Belmond, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm, north of Rowan, and attended country schools through 7th Grade, moving into the town school in Rowan beginning with the 8th Grade. She was active in basketball, softball, cheerleading and 4H. She became a 4H leader as an adult.

Joan graduated from Rowan High School with the Class of 1953, and attended Iowa State Teachers College (currently known as the University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, where she completed her two-year teaching accreditation. She later returned and completed her Bachelor's, and eventually, her Master's degree in education.

Following her initial graduation from ISTC, Joan taught for one year in Britt, Iowa, teaching 1st grade. She later taught in Ames, Iowa.

Joan was united in marriage to Roger Rietz at the United Methodist Church in Rowan, Iowa, on December 27, 1959. The couple made their home in Jacksonville, Ark., where she once again taught 1st grade for one year, and gave birth to their son, Thomas. Following Roger's discharge from the Air Force, the couple moved to Coralville briefly, before moving into married student housing in Iowa City, where both Joan and Roger continued their education.

The young family moved to Omaha, where Joan transitioned to full-time stay at home mom for a few years. Their daughter Sarah was born in Clarion, Iowa. They then moved to Kansas City in the fall of 1964 The couple relocated to Cedar Falls in 1966, where they resided until moving to Coralville to be closer to their family in 2023.

While in Cedar Falls, along with her full-time motherly duties, Joan taught part time at Minor Elementary and North Cedar Elementary, before returning to teaching full-time in 1975 at Orchard Hill Elementary where she taught 5th and 6th grade until her retirement in 2000.

Throughout these many years, Rowan continued to hold a very special place in her heart. She was the quintessential daughter of a farmer. She wrote grants for the Rowan Community Center, Public Library, the school, and the Rowan Lions Club, which allowed them to purchase the necessary camera equipment to participate in the Lions' "Sight for Kids" program.

Joan enjoyed quilting, crocheting, sewing and all sorts of crafting. She made clothing for the kids and leisure suits for Roger in their heyday. She enjoyed antiques and refinished furniture, as well. She spearheaded the project to get her country schoolhouse restored and moved into Belmond, where it remains on display until this day. She was well involved in tracking the genealogy of her family, which included many trips to cemeteries, and even a memorable trip to Germany. The family also took trips to California, New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado, along with the annual summer vacation to Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota.

Joan was passionate about history, especially Iowa history. This spilled over from her career to her love of reading (she also enjoyed mysteries) and the summer camping trips with the family which often coincided with a local Iowa history lesson. Canoe trips were also a common occurrence in the summer months when the kids were still home.

Joan will be lovingly remembered as being a wonderful and fun mother and grandmother; she adored her grandchildren. She was a dedicated mother and teacher.

Joan is survived by her children, Thomas (Karen) Rietz and Sarah Aldrich-Rietz; granddaughters, Leah Rietz and Linnea Rietz, all of Iowa City; brothers, Jerry Aldrich and Lee Aldrich; numerous cousins, other family members, and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Margaret Grace "Molly" Rietz; and her husband, Roger Rietz.

In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, Joan's family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to the Rowan Public Library.