Alice Margaret Rieken (nee Herren)

1931-2018

Alice Rieken passed away on Friday, June 1, 2018 after complications due to a fall earlier in the week.  She died peacefully in the arms of her daughters and surrounded by her family's love at New Haven, MO with the assistance of Hospice.  She was the proud wife, over 63 years, of the late Rodney J. Rieken who passed on January 12, 2018; their former home was at 408 Bourbeuse Road in Union, MO.  She is preceded in death by her husband, daughter and son-in-law Ruth and Roger Ratican, great granddaughter Zoe Manhart, her parents, two sisters—Ruth (died in childhood) and Elverna Bergen.  Daughters--Annie, Lynn and Christine, their spouses, a sister Betty Adams (Coralville, Iowa),12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, survive Alice.

Alice was born at home in Amber (near Anamosa), Iowa on October 13, 1931, fourth daughter to George H. and Hannah M. Herren (nee Otten).  She received her Christian education and confirmation at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Anamosa.  From infancy on, she spent a great deal of time with a then childless farming couple, Louis (Louie) and Matilda (Mate) Zimmerman of Anamosa, becoming like a daughter to them.

Alice's standard of excellence won her honors at her graduation in 1949 from Anamosa High School where she had participated as a majorette. Upon graduation, Alice pursued secondary education in Omaha NE, which initiated her research career and ultimately brought her to laboratory analysis, working for Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was independent and self-supportive for six years leading up to her marriage to Rod.

Alice and Rod met at a country-dance, amidst a group of friends, and developed a pen pal relationship throughout Rod's tour in Korea.  Upon return from Korea they continued to date for a short while before their wedding in Rod's home church, Wayne Zion Lutheran Church outside of Monticello, Iowa on Nov. 26, 1954.  During their early-married life, Alice supported Rod's return to school at the University of Iowa.  Two daughters were born during this time, Annie M. Rieken (Dave Van Lieshout) of rural Monroe County Illinois and Ruth L. Ratican (Roger), formerly of Fullerton, CA.  Following Rod's career path to Kansas City, Kansas third daughter, Lynn K. Boresi (Glennon) of Union, MO was born.

The young family moved around frequently until Rod's acceptance of a position with the Department of the Army in 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri. The family moved to rural Wentzville (near St. Louis) where Alice often acted as a single parent during Rod's extended TDY assignments abroad to include Viet Nam during the de-escalation period.

It was during these twelve years in their country home, that the family embraced another member who began as a neighbor and friend—their fourth daughter, Christine (Bob Winchester) currently of Union. Mo

Alice resumed her laboratory research talents working for Ralston Purina in downtown St. Louis—with one car to share the couple's daily schedule took them away from home from 6am to 6pm.  While at Ralston, Alice participated in, amongst other research, developing a polymer paper coating derived from soybean resin, part of Ralston's Project 900.  She determined to return to school to advance her career options and received her undergraduate degree in secondary education from Fontbonne College in 1974.

In 1977, they purchased a house in St.Louis, which they subsequently renovated. Then in 1983, in fulfillment of a lifelong dream,they accepted a three-year assignment abroad. They relocated to Zweibrucken, Germany, and spent much of their free time exploring Europe. While in Germany, Alice found employment with the Department of the Army, too.

The couple both continued to work for the Department of the Army upon their return to St. Louis in 1986.  Alice earned her Masters as an OSHA Safety Specialist for the Department of the Army and the couple relocated to the East Coast for several years and the remainder of their careers where Alice served as OSHA inspector at Fort Monmouth.

Soon after they both retired in 1996, they began the Park Avenue Bed and Breakfast in their St. Louis home, which they operated for seven years, earning a reputation as one of the most elegant in the City. They moved to Kirksville, Mo in 2003 and returned to Union in late 2014 to be nearer to their family.

In March of 2015, Rod, Alice, and Christine decided to establish a legal record of their 40+ year relationship by doing a formal adoption.

Alice, often credited as being the brains behind the adventures, was a most brilliant and talented woman, ahead of her time in many regards.  She was an exceptionally gifted individual who had to surmount many obstacles throughout her life.  There was very little she could not undertake or accomplish. Bravery and resourcefulness was a family credo she sought to instill in her daughters.  Through times of plenty and times of want her provision was stellar.

She rose from a two-room stone cottage without amenities to climbing the first tier of the Matterhorn, in Switzerland.  The most important attribute Alice passes on is that of her faith in God.  Her final prayer states her sentiment about her passionate love of this family, "Thank you God for making me a tiny part of something so good."

The Missouri funeral will be held Wednesday, June 6, 10:00 AM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Union, Missouri with burial committal Thursday, June 7, 9:00 AM Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, Monticello, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Children's Advocacy (CASA), 301 East State Street, Union, MO  63084