Gary W. Rieck

Gary W. Rieck, 63, of Marion, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. A funeral service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at New Covenant Bible Church, 3090 North Center Point Rd., Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Mark Forstrom officiating. Entombment will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Karen; children, Travis (Nicole) Rieck of Palo, and Megan and Jared Rieck, both of Marion; two grandchildren; sisters, Peggy Rieck of Cedar Rapids and Roxanne (Tony) Daugherty of Warrensburg, Mo.; and brother, Randall (Eleonora) Rieck of Cedar Rapids.

Gary was a loving, devoted husband, father, papa, brother and will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gary Wayne Rieck was born Feb. 28, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Harlan and Dorothy (Schwertfeger) Rieck. On Oct. 7, 1978, he married Karen Skarbek in Cedar Rapids. Gary used his God-given talents to teach chemistry for 38 years at Washington High School. As a result, he inspired many of his students to pursue careers in science, medicine and education. His resilience in living with his chronic illness inspired many to handle their life challenges. Gary was an active member of New Covenant Bible Church. When his sons were young, he was active as a leader in both the Boy Scouts and Boys Stockade programs.

In lieu of flowers, it was Gary’s request memorials be given to the ongoing ministries of Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center, 701 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-4643 or Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402-0375.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under “obituaries.”

Published Jan. 13, 2013 in The Gazette