Leonard C. Rieker, 66, of rural Farnam died Wednesdy at his home. He was the son of Chris and Mary Rieker, nee Schurr, was born on May 3, 1919 in Dawson County, Nebraska, northeast of Farnam. He was baptized into the Christian faith at St. John's Lutheran Church of Eustis on June 22, 1919. On June 4, 1933, he was confirmed in his faith, also at St. John's, Eustis, where he was a member all his life.

He was a graduate of the Eustis High School and was engaged in farming and ranching all his adult life.

On April 15, 1947, he was united in marriage with Betty Bartruff. To this union were born three children; Christine, Karen, and Debra.

Throughout his life he served on various community organizational boards. He was a past member of the Nebraska State Sorghum Board and the current chairman of the Dawson County Noxious Weed Board.

He loved the soil and the crops and livestock it produced. He saw themas gifts from God ovr which he served as a steward. After several years of failing health, he died, on October 23, 1985, in the same home where he was born and lived all his life.

He is survived by his wife Betty; three daughters, Christine Dunbar and her husband, Rick, of Eustis, Karen Miller and her husband Richard of Dalles, Oregon, and Debra Hecox and her husband Pat of Gothenburg; by five grandchildren, Bradley and Janine Dunbar, Brittany and Collin Miller, and Heidi Hecox; and a host of relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Services were Saturday at 2pm. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Harold Gronstal officiating. Burial was in the East Church Cemetery.

The Free Press. Farnam, Dawson County, Nebraska. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1985. pg 8