Jeffrey Rieger
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On December 29, 2016 @ 11:38 am In 2016,Obituaries | 17 Comments
Jeff Rieger, age 51 of Savage, passed away surrounded by his family at Fairview Ridges Hospital on December 28, 2016. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 9-11:00AM with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM all at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 W 125th St., Savage. Jeff will be laid to rest at St. Aloyius Catholic Cemetery in Lisbon, North Dakota. Father Mike Tix will preside.
On December 5, 1965 at Barnabus Hospital of Minneapolis, Thomas and Arlene (Visser) Rieger celebrated the birth of their son, Jeffrey Thomas Rieger. He was the second of three boys. Jeff enjoyed growing up in Richfield with his older brother, Kevin, and younger brother, Doug. The family also spent time with their extended family in Lisbon, North Dakota. The brothers were tightknit, playing sports together and spending summers at the family cabin on Cedar Lake. Once their chores were complete, their father let them do what they enjoyed best—pan fishing, hunting, and exploring the great outdoors. Jeff’s passion for the outdoors followed him into adulthood. Along with Kevin, he took many memorable hunting and fishing trips in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota.
After graduating in 1984 from Richfield High School, Jeff moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend RSI (Refrigeration School, Inc.). Upon becoming a certified HVAC contractor in 1986, Jeff returned to Minnesota where he began his life long career in the HVAC field.
In 2000, Jeff met Lori who was out with her sister in New Prague. It was love at first sight, Lori was smitten by the “goofball” she met at the bar. After years of dating, Lori and Jeff exchanged wedding vows on May 21, 2011 in Las Vegas. For their honeymoon, they rented a convertible and went on a road trip, seeing the Grand Canyon and visiting family along the way. The couple eventually settled in Savage where they enjoyed hosting family and friends. Jeff was famous for his grilling, especially for his smoked ribs.
Since his childhood, Jeff enjoyed sports, especially playing football and baseball. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan. In adulthood, Jeff found another passion—racecars. He joined a pit crew as the jack operator. Along with the pit crew, he traveled across the United States and visited numerous speedways.
Jeff was a big-hearted, fearless man who accomplished more in his short 51 years than many do in a full lifetime. His outgoing, friendly outlook on life will be cherished and carried on by his loving wife, Lori; parents, Tom and Arlene Rieger; brothers, Kevin (Theresa) Rieger and Doug Rieger; nieces, Megan Rieger, Katlyn Rieger, Jaquelyn Rieger, and Samantha Fincham; many other loving relatives and friends.
The Rieger family has been proudly served by the staff at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.
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We were at the cabin when we heard. All your hunting & poker partners will miss you up here.
Will be missed. Always knew him as part of the Harmel Racing Team. Many nights around the campfires and great laughs. the best Food and just plain fun ! You will be missed Jeffy. The Track will not be the same. Very Sorry for the Loss to his Family and many Friends he made.
Davey
Lori,
Sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Jody Winters
Our deepest condolences to you and your family from the Mahoneys your in our thoughts and prayers
To the whole Rieger family our heartfelt condolences. Jeff and I had many, many good memories over the years. His time was to soon. He will be greatly missed. Stubby and Mary Schreifels
Today I really miss my brother Jeff.
The Rieger boys were truly a “band of brothers”. We played hard, fought hard and loved hard. Jeff had the most passion for life of all of us and always lived life FULL THROTTLE. We always knew that no matter happens, we had each other’s back and we could always depend on each other. Even though we ended up in different locations to seek our own a destiny, when we got together we always embraced and told each other we loved them.
When Jeff was in the hospital fighting for life I was able to sit with him and tell him how proud I was of him, how grateful I am to have him in my life and how much I need him. I know he heard me and felt the love everyone had for him. My only regret is I should have told him this more often because it was from the heart.
I know someday when I see Jeff again we will embrace and say love you
Then Jeff will say “Come on!!! let’s do it, we got shit to do”
I am your dads cousin, I have to say your dads family was very close and had a lot of love, Tom’s mom aunt Louise , was my moms sister and we spent a lot of time all together in Lisbon growing up. So many Sunday dinners together. I used to talk to your dad a lot on the phone when we would come to AZ. for a short stay down there and he talked about his family so much. He was a very man of his family.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Arlene
Dear Lori,
I am so very sorry to hear of your sudden loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers as the days go forward.
With love,
Laural Olson
To the Rieger family from the Ritter Family, You were a big part of our childhood and many many good memories. May God keep and protect Jeff. Mark, Scott, and the Ritter family may you find peace.
My condolences to the Rieger family, my heart goes out to you all.
Lori, I’m so sorry for your loss and that of Jeff’s family. Lifting you up in prayer and hoping that the wonderful memories you shared together will keep you strong and get you through this difficult time.
Veronica Coates
Lori – my deepest sympathy to you. Jeff sounds like a bigger than life teddy bear who was fun to have around! May your memories of Jeff bring you comfort and make you smile.
Lori, my sincere sympathies go out to you and the entire Rieger family. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and I hope you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have shared together.
To the Riegers from the Vrchotas. Jeff taught me a lot about life and football. He was right between me and Tommie in age and we all played on the D line. I was small and he taught me how to play big. He had a big smile and played hard even during the losing years. It is a shock to the family when you lose a brother so young. I look up to Jeff as another guardian angel next to Tim and Tom. My heart goes out to you Lori and the whole Rieger clan.
Lori,
Tom and myself just heard about the sudden loss of Jeff. So many good times watching twins and Viking
games . Are thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Tom & Arlene, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your son.
Tom, I know that your mom, dad and sisters and brothers were there to hold your son in their arms.
My heart goes out to you.
Your cousin, Arlene
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So many great memories. Where do I start. Gosh went through so much, first cars, his dads white station wagon , my buick, river parties, going to parents cabin, chasing our first loves, breaking up with our first loves, crying, laughing, first beers, sports, hanging out, the caves, fighting with him, then going to Taco bell fifteen minutes later with two black eyes, beanies, first dances. All great memories. Laughed till we cried many time. Love ya Jeff. So sorry for your loss to his entire family.