Mark Rieger

Mark Richard Rieger, 64, of Clara City died on November 25, 2012 at Granite Falls Hospital. A Celebration of Life event will be held from 3-5 pm on Saturday, December 1st at the Clara City Community Center. Prayers and memories will be shared at 3:00 with fellowship following. Mark was born on December 9, 1947, at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland, to Richard F. and Marjorie (Watson) Rieger. He grew up in San Diego, graduating from Chula Vista High School and attending Southwestern College, both in Chula Vista, California. Mark served in the Army from 1967 to 1970, and was stationed in Korea. After his honorable discharge, he began his career in the nut and bolt business working his way up from the warehouse to manager and partner. He was employed in that field for 25 years in San Diego, Tucson, and Phoenix with Western Fastener, Copper State Bolt, and Cactus Bolt. The family moved to Clara City in 1996 and Mark owned Rieger's Hardware in Buffalo Lake and then Rieger's Home Maintenance and Repair in Clara City. On January 9, 1982, in Bonita, California, Mark and Murlaine Jansen were married. They were blessed with one son, Zack. Mark was gifted at problem-solving, both in his business career and in his interests. He renovated and repaired many homes, including a complete restoration of a 1913 house. He had a passion for cars, rebuilding a 1947 Willies Jeep, and enjoying every one of the 41 vehicles he owned over the course of his life, with a special fondness for his Corvette. But most of all, this good father and husband loved his family and showed it by taking care of them every day. He will be dearly missed. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, son Zack of St. Cloud, father and mother in-law Ed and Marie Jansen of Clara City, in-laws Loren and Rosemary Jansen of Lowry, Dean Jansen of Clara City, Tom Jansen of Canby, and Joe DuVall of Santa Ynez, California. Also surviving are aunt and uncle Clifton and Iris Watson of Arlington, TX, as well as 6 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Karl. Memorials preferred to Rice Hospice.