We Remember
RIEGER, Henry
December 31, 1931 — March 20, 2015
Henry Sylvester Rieger went to be with the Lord on the evening of March 20, 2015 at the age of 83. He passed away unexpectedly at Kelowna General Hospital due to a sudden onset of pneumonia.
He is survived by his loving wife Geraldine Rieger; and his three children, Janet (Terry) Courtney of Kelowna, BC, Richard (Lisanne Hall) Rieger of Kelowna, and David (Rita) Rieger of Lloydminster, AB; seven grandchildren, Shawn (Alysha) Courtney, Tara (Joseph) Casorso, Chantel, Courtney, Ashley, and Colby Rieger, and Lexi Hall-Rieger;
four siblings, Adelheid (Willi) Kromer, Horst (Monika) Rieger, and Monika Boivin all in Germany, and Adalbert (Annaliese) Rieger in Vancouver BC; and numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses. Sadly predeceased by his father Josef Rieger, mother Agnes Rieger, two brothers Guenter Rieger, and Willibald (Helga) Rieger, sister Franziska (Josef) Sporrer, two stepmothers, Maria Rieger, and Elizabeth Rieger, and half-sister Ursula Rieger.
Henry was born in Gnadenfeld, Oberschlesien, which is now part of Poland, on December 31, 1931. He apprenticed as a shoemaker and came to Canada as a young journeyman of 19 to work in that trade in Lloydminster. Eventually he met Geraldine there and married her in 1957. They moved to Unity, SK where he started and successfully ran his own tire business for 14 years. During that time they had a daughter and two sons. He was also a volunteer firefighter and was a member of the Lions Club for many years.
In 1971 Henry relocated his family to Kelowna, where many of them still live today. He bought a motel and along with his family operated it for five years. During this time he also studied to get his small plane pilot’s license. Henry loved to fly! He eventually returned to the tire business and went to work at Kelowna Motors and then Fountain Tire for several years. He swam daily at the Parkinson Rec Centre and also enjoyed being with his grandchildren at every opportunity. Henry also made some trips to Germany over the years to see his extended family, and introduced his wife and children, and in later years even some of his grandchildren to their overseas relatives.
Henry’s life suddenly changed due to a major stroke in 2007. He no longer was able to drive and had to go into assisted living after the onset of dementia. Henry went to a care home here in Kelowna where he lived out his last years. We are forever grateful to the staff at The Village at Mill Creek for their kindness and compassionate care for Dad. Thank you for listening to his witty jokes and his sometimes ‘colourful’ language.
Henry always desired to live a simple life and often said he didn’t need anything more than “a roof over his head and food on the table.” He was a people person and relationships with others were paramount to him. He had a gift of remembering historical details about those he came to know and love. He also had the gift of encouragement and was always there with a witty joke or a kind word or deed to make you feel special and important.
It was a tremendous blessing to our family that we were all together for the first time in seven years in the days prior to Dad’s passing, for happy reasons unrelated to his health. We were given the gift of a few more memories with him and had some special time together as a family. This was a gift to all of us from the Lord and we are all so very grateful.
A celebration of life in honour of our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and friend will be held on Saturday, May 30th at 1:00 PM at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. As an expression of sympathy, you may send flowers, or donations may be made to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation, #4-1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y9M9. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
PLEASE NOTE SERVICE TIME 1:00 pm PST
Service
Saturday, May 30th at 1:00 PM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
BC Heart and Stroke Foundation, #4-1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y9M9
Service Information
Service Details
The service for RIEGER, Henry is scheduled for Saturday, May 30th at 1:00 PM . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
My deepest condolences to the Rieger family.
I am remember meeting Henry when he worked at the Uniroyal store on Spall Rd many years ago..Being in the tire industry you get to meet many people and I can say that he was a gentleman.
Sincerely,
Darren ( Shamrock Tire )
We are deeply grateful for you very kind words for our Dad and Husband, thank you so very much. We know he will be missed by many as he had such a loving way about him. Please come to Henry’s celebration of life on May 30th at 1pm. It would be wonderful to speak with each of you in person.
Janet, Richard, David and Geraldine
My condolences to all of you. I have lots of great memories with Henry. throughout the years always had a joke to tell you. Loved people and was great to deal with.
may God bless him.
Gordie
I met Henry only a few times socially and realized I was in the company of a gentelman .
May you rest in peace.
Chuck
Dear Gerry I was saddened to hear of Henry’s passing and want to send you my love and sincere condolences – I enjoyed Henry so much at the Village of Mill Creek and remember meeting him the first day my mum Peggy Gloer went to live there – I shall miss seeing you too Gerry
My much belated sympathy to the Rieger family on the loss of Henry. It was a pleasure to meet such a wonderful and warm man so many years ago. May God bless the family and all those he touched with his wonderful way.