Evelyne Rieker

In the early hours of May 9, 2025, Evelyne Rieker, 90, passed peacefully from this life into the next, joining her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) Rieker who passed in December. 

Evelyne was born on June 18, 1934, in Lemmon South Dakota to Matt and Agnes (O’Donnell) Goeres. She was the third of 7 children and was especially close to her older sister Eileen and older brother Leonard (Bob’s best friend) She was born into a farming family recovering from The Great Depression. She learned at an early age that Faith Family and friends are the ingredients for a happy life. Along with working hard and believing in yourself. It was important we all were able to sit at the dinner table, said grace, shared our day with each other, good and bad. Setting a table for 8 and maybe more with friends, was just a normal day. This was how she was raised and taught her family. Growing up in a Farming Community, church and dances were the social highlights. She loved to dance. Throughout their life Evelyne and Bob continued to dance. They married in Lemon, SD on August 5, 1950. In the spring of 1957 Bob and Evelyne moved to Missoula. Evelyne wanted to be a mother more than anything else. She had 6 children between 1951-1662. She managed to raise her family on a tight budget, by baking bread weekly, and canning vegetables, fish, and everything in between. To cloth her family she became an accomplished seamstress. Making Bobs suits and ties, her and the girls dresses and even fashionable hats for Sunday mass. Knitting coats, sweaters, hats, and mittens for an ever-growing family. Along the way she was generous enough to share her skills with her daughters-in-laws, which she genuinely loved. She taught her family to be strong and believe in themselves.

St. Anthony’s Parish was an important part of her life. She was a member of the altar society, choir, and taught catechism classes. Her philanthropic heart also showed with a loyal membership to the Women’s Club of Montana, through which she traveled the state and the country serving others with her friends. Bob and Evelyne owned a cabin at Seeley Lake where generations of kids grew up spending their summer weekends. After retirement Evelyne and Bob purchased a home in Arizona. This became a magical chapter in their life together. Starting their adult life at a very young age, neither one had a high school or college years to do what teens and young adults do. Arizona gave those years back to them. Buying a dune buggy then exploring the wonders of the desert with their friends. Golfing or cards in the morning, dancing in the evening. Of course, there was a rotating Happy Hour that grew into forever friends. Evelyne spent her last 3 years at Village Senior Residence. She continued to enjoy daily visits from the people she loved, cookies and treats, and flowers every month from granddaughter Candace.

Evelyne was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years Robert (Bob) Rieker, her son Don Rieker, daughter-in-law Ursula Rieker, adopted grandchild Scott Gooley, and grandson Kyle Motl. While Don passed too soon, Evelyne lived long enough to have four surviving great-great-grandchildren (Addilynn, Colten, William, and Ivy), all Don’s descendants. She is also survived by one sister (Jeanette Holmes), 5 children [Dave Rieker, Duaine Rieker (Judy), Dale Rieker (Sandra Williams), Denise Epler (Joe), and Debby Rieker (Gary Newlon)], 11 grandchildren (Jennifer, Jodi, Luke, Amanda, Sasha, Sonya, Candace, Lacey, Dalilah, Drew, and Cody), and 12 great grandchildren (Richey, Samantha, Joel, Leah, Brendan, Mila, Owen, Curry, Crimson, Bella, Juliette, and Elise).

Special thank you to the incredible staff at Big Sky Hospice and Village Assisted Living.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 18, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Michal J Fox Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.