Donald Riha

Saturday, September 17, 2022 12:00 pm

Donald Riha, age 92, of Fort Atkinson, IA, died on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 201 Oak Street in Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Helms Funeral Home Chekal Chapel, 201 Main Street in Fort Atkinson, and also from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning at the funeral home.

Donald Francis Riha was born on Feb. 18, 1930 to Martin and Anastasia “Stella” (Novotny) Riha, near Fort Atkinson, IA.He attended St. John’s Catholic School in Fort Atkinson. He graduated 8th grade, class of 1945.

Don served in the United States Army, during the Korean War, from July 25, 1951 to April 4, 1953 when he was honorably discharged. He earned the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars and United Nations Service Medal.Don married Rose Mary Schlichte on June 1, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Waucoma. To this union, two daughters were born: Patricia (Trish) and Constance (Connie).

Together, Don and Rose farmed west of Fort Atkinson. He went on to work doing road construction and then worked for the railroad until he retired. In his retirement years, he went on to recycling scrap metal, which he really loved. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, putzing around in his pickup, cracking jokes, and watching Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right. Don entered the Aase Haugen Nursing Home on Jan. 6, 2018.

Don is survived by his two daughters: Patricia Welsh of Chapman, Kans. and Connie (Ron) Lensing of Calmar; five grandchildren: Lee (Kim) Welsh, Kelly (Patrick Hemmelgarn) Harold, Craig Welsh, Tara (Tory) Jarchow, and Troy (Bobbi) Lensing. Eight great-grandchildren: Robert Pigg, Haylee Welsh, Cody Harold, Aidan Welsh, Keagan and Jordyn Jarchow, and Brady and Maya Lensing; five great-great grandchildren: Cadence, Payton, Austin, and Abigail Pigg, and Jaedyn Pigg; one sister: Marcie Schneberger, Fort Atkinson; two sisters-in-law: Margaret Kleve and Helen Woodard; one brother-in-law: Robert Weigel; along with many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Rose Mary on Jan. 11, 2012; parents: Martin and Stella Riha; great-granddaughter: Jennifer Pigg; sisters: Anna Cook, Agnes Schmitt, and Martha Riha (in infancy); brothers-in-law: Orval Cook, Arthur Schmitt, Leroy Schneberger, Edward Schlichte, Eugene Kleve, and Tony Eichenberger; and sisters-in-law: Irene Weigel and Lorraine Eichenberger.