SEBASTIAN B. RIEGER

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SEBASTIAN B. RIEGER 1910 - 2005 Peacefully, after a stroke and lengthy illness, at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach, Sebastian Rieger passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2005, at the age of 95 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Katherine (nee Janz) Rieger (married 69 years); daughters, Sylvia (Mel) Epp of Whitewater, KS, Deanna (Ed) Bohun of Winnipeg and Shirley (Arnold) Reimer of Winnipeg; grandchildren, Jim and Stacey Bohun, Michael Reimer and Katherine Katsura, Dana Reimer, David and Sally Epp, Terry and Amy Epp; one great-grandchild Thomas Epp; sister Nora Rieger of Steinbach and many nieces and nephews. Sebastian was predeceased by his parents Sebastian and Eva (Berger) Rieger; sisters, Anna Rieger and Minna Eidse and by brothers, Simon and Henry Rieger, the latter his long time business partner. Sebastian Rieger was born March 26, 1910, in Steinbach, where he was raised, and received his elementary and secondary education. He began a career in teaching at age 19, first at several rural one-room schools and then at his first longer teaching position at Rosenhof School near Morris, MB. The Rosenhof years he remembered with great fondness: it was where he and Katherine started their young family and made many friends. He taught several more years at Steinbach Collegiate, then left teaching in 1949 to join his younger brother Henry in taking over their deceased father's business, Rieger Clothing Ltd. A few years later Sebastian was elected to the Steinbach School Board, and his wife Katherine was active in promoting the petition and referendum which led to the creation of the Hanover School Division. In 1960 he was elected as the first Chairman of the new school board. His major accomplishment in that capacity was to guide the school division in the construction of four new high schools, in Steinbach, Grunthal, Niverville and Landmark. Sebastian was also active in his church, having served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and member of the Church Board of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, now the Cornerstone Bible Church. The family expresses appreciation to Dr. Curtis Krahn and to the caring staff of Rest Haven Nursing Home for their many kindnesses, dedication and professionalism in care-giving during Sebastian's final illness. Funeral services will be held at the Cornerstone Bible Church, 290 First Street, Steinbach on Thursday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Ron Adrian will preside. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Michael Reimer, Katherine Katsura, Dana Reimer, David Epp, Terry Epp, and son-in-law Ed Bohun. Interment will follow at the Steinbach Memorial Cemetery. Following the interment a reception will be held at the church. STEINBACH FUNERAL HOME 5 Chrysler Gate Steinbach, MB (204) 326-1351

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 12, 2005