Orville Lee Rieker, 79, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Sunday, January 1st, 2012, at Lexington Regional Medical Center in Lexington.

He was born August 20th, 1932, in Eustis, Nebraska, to Albert Rieker and Esther Roether Rieker. Orville was the youngest of three children. He was baptized into the family of God at St. John Lutheran Church in Eustis on November 20th, 1932, and confirmed his faith in Jesus on May 26th, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington.

His family lived in Eustis until 1940 when they moved to Sutherland until 1944. From Sutherland, they moved east to Lexington to Joslyn, and in 1958, Orville, his brother, Dean and his father purchased the ranch near the Buffalo community north of Lexington. Orville married Joan Pedersen on Sunday, December 28th, 1959, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. He resided on the ranch until January 2010, when he moved to Park Avenue Estates in Lexington.

Orville graduated from Lexington High School in 1950. After high school he hauled hay into Kansas. On March 4th, 1953, Orville enlisted in the United States Army and finished his tour with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. Orville served as a cook in Company G 85th Regiment in Fort Riley, Kansas; and was about to be deployed to the Korean Conflict when the armistice was signed. He was released from active duty in January of 1955 and continued in the Army Reserves for 8 years. Orville was very proud of his military service and served as the Commander for Legion Post #250 in Oconto, Nebraska, for many years.

Orville spent his life helping others from picking watermelon, to helping the neighbor work cattle, to putting up hay. He served on the Farm Bureau Board for over 20 years; and as the President of the AAL/Thrivent for Lutherans. He was one of the original members of the Oconto Rural Fire Dept.
and was active up until last year. Anyone new to the neighborhood soon met Orville with an offer to help with anything they might need. Orville served the First Lutheran Church, filling many offices over the years.

Orville is survived by his daughters, Peggy Volzke and husband Rev. Greg Volzke of rural Juniata, Nebraska, Bonnie Bennett of Grand Island, Nebraska; son, Paul Rieker and wife Cathy of rural Lexington; eight grandchildren: Joelle Knott and husband Andy of Minden, Nebraska, Evan Volzke and fiance' Krista Hollister, Ethan Volzke, Lauren Volzke, all of Juniata, Noelle Burns and husband Bret of Lincoln, Nebraska, Dustin Bennett of Kearney, Nebraska, Cody and Tyrel Rieker of rural Lexington; four great-grandchildren: Hali Knott, Kianna Hellbusch, Olivia Burns and Brandon Burns; as well as, many nieces and nephews.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joan; brother, Dean and sister, Alberta Freed.

Services will be Friday, January 6th, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., at First Lutheran Church at Buffalo, Nebraska, with the Rev. Victor Rasmussen officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors by Legion Post #250.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 5th, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Please forward condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.