Michael George Rieker entered into eternal rest unexpectedly on Saturday, June 13, 2015, in Snowflake after a fatal car accident as he was coming from the Swap Meet, which was a weekly ritual and a favorite pastime. A viewing will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, at the Love Lake Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taylor, followed by funeral services at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor.
He was born Jan. 20, 1944, to Robert and Dorothy Rieker in Pittsfield, Mass. While growing up he went away to Winooski, Vt., for college where he received a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from St. Michael’s College. He also received a teaching certificate from Idaho State University in Idaho.
Mike and Carol were married Aug. 20, 1966, in Pittsfield. They resided in Pittsfield until they moved to Littleton, Colo., in 1968. He worked for Gates Rubber Company as an accountant.
It was in Littleton that they joined the LDS church, and shortly after moved to Paris, Idaho, in 1975. Mike pursued a teaching certificate at Idaho State University and worked as an elementary school teacher for several years. In 1978 the family moved to Orem, Utah, where he continued in education as a principal. Following a move to Provo, Utah, Mike worked for Heritage Mountain, again in accounting. In 1992 he and Carol built their dream home in Mapleton, Utah.
After the kids were mostly grown, Mike and Carol served a mission in Devon, Alberta, Canada, returning in 2002. A second mission was served in Clinton, S.C., returning in 2006. Following their missions they retired in Snowflake.
He joined the Army Reserves and was a pharmacy specialist. He was honorably discharged in June 1972.
Mike was born into the Catholic Church. He and Carol were converted to the LDS church in 1975. Mike’s involvement with the church was a great source of passion and purpose in his life.
His favorite pastimes were joking with waitresses, playing Scum, gardening, growing and making popcorn, skiing, concocting things in the kitchen, finding bargains at the Swap Meet, teasing those around him, walking with Carol, studying the scriptures, teaching the youth, digging large holes, building rock walls, driving tractors and brightening everyone’s day with his infectious smile.
Survivors include the love of his life, Carol Phillips Rieker; four children and their families, Kim Severn, her husband Dan and their children, Cameron and Jared, Mark Rieker, his wife Megan Rieker and their children, Jacob, Seth and David, Christian Rieker, his wife Tracey and their children, Christian, Cassie, Bella and Brady, and Cami MacKeage and her husband Mike; and his siblings, Robert Rieker and his wife, Marilyn, and Debbie Baldwin and her husband Jon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dorothy Rieker.
Silver Creek Mortuary of Taylor was in charge of the arrangements.
