John A Rieckmann Jr.

John A. Rieckmann Jr., age 86, of Fremont, WI passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at St. Joseph Residence in New London, WI. He was born

on May 26, 1939 as the fourth generation on the family farm in Fremont, the son of the late John and Irene (Prellwitz) Rieckmann Sr.

John served his country starting at the ripe age of 17 as part of the 32nd Infantry in the US National Guard for six years. He also served one year in the Reserves

at the end of his military service. On July 30, 1960, John married Mary Bolssen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dale, WI. John and Mary farmed his family dairy farm his entire life. He also

drove a school bus for the New London School District for 11 years. John was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Readfield, WI where he had served on the Church School Board.

He loved cars, polka dancing, listening to country music, going on family picnics, and bowling.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; six children, Russell Rieckmann, Debbie (Chuck) Zehner, Michael "Harley" (Barbara) Rieckmann, Steven Rieckmann, Tammy (Bradley) Tesch, and Missy (Skye) Havens; nine grandchildren, Kimberly (Craig) Sullivan, Candice (Justin) Scoville, Kayla (Fiance Brandon) Zehner, Cassie (Fiance Josh) Zehner, Harlen Rieckmann,

Talen, Dallas, and Ava Havens; a step-granddaughter, Shealyn Klosterman-Havens; a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Sullivan; a brother, Vernon Rieckmann; a brother-in-law, Jim (Linda) Bolssen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Rieckmann, his son, Thomas Rieckmann, two brothers, Wilmer (Lois) Rieckmann and Arden (Elsie) Rieckmann, a sister-in-law, Evelyn Rieckmann, three brother-in-laws, Harold,Gordon, and Harvey Bolssen, and a sister-in-law, Betty Dexter.

Both visitation and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church, N985 County Rd. W, Readfield, WI. Visitation will be from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm with funeral services following at noon. Rev. Matthew Vik will officiate. Burial will be at the Dale Union Cemetery in Medina, WI.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

God looked down at his newly created world and thought, I need someone I can trust to take care of the land and fields.

I need someone strong enough to till the soil, plant the seeds, and tend his crops. I need someone devoted to work 18 hour

days and up at dawn to milk the cows, mend the fences, fix the equipment and then stay up half the night to deliver a newborn calf.

I need someone with a strong heart and family values of sharing, caring and discipline. Someone with patience and kindness,

someone who is thankful for the sun and rain and has faith in his harvest and that the market value won't change who he is in the end.

Someone who graces you with smiling eyes and is proud, when his children say they want to spend their life doing what he does.

So God made a farmer.