Elinor Rieker

OHIO, Ill. — Elinor Elizabeth Rieker, 84, of Ohio, Ill., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at Aperion Care in Princeton.

Elinor was born Nov. 18, 1934, to the late Harold and Ella (Stalter) Bill in Princeton. After graduating from Malden as valedictorian of the Class of 1952, she worked as a teller before meeting the love of her life, Marvin Rieker. They married on Sept. 9, 1956, at the Malden United Methodist Church in Malden and started their family. Elinor finished out the year at the bank and then helped Marvin on the dairy farm while starting their family and taking care of their home.

She was a member of the Good Sam’s Camping Club, as well as the Van Orin Gospel Church and Bible study. She enjoyed sewing, baking and gardening. You could find her doing crossword puzzles or a word finder game. She enjoyed traveling, especially the family Sunday drives. The whole family would get up early to help milk the cows, and then pack a lunch and head out for a family day. Always having to be back home by 3:30 p.m. to milk the cows again. This happened almost every Sunday while the children were still living at home. Those were some of the best memories shared by the entire family. If Marvin was going anywhere she was going too, they wanted to be together always, no matter what. Family was the most important thing to her and something she instilled in her loving family.

Elinor is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Marvin Rieker; five children, Lonnie (Linda) Rieker of Ohio, Ill., Lori Perra of Peru, Steve (Cecilia) Rieker of Peoria, Sandra (Brad) Kofoed of Earlville and Sally Salegna of Bloomington; 12 grandchildren, Laura, Brenna, Rachel, Art, Theresa, Dia, Emily, Kristen, Matt, Amy, Sarah and David; and one brother, Cliff Bill of Princeton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ella Bill, and one son-in-law, Art Perra.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 9, at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton. Services will follow at noon at the funeral home with the Rev. Brian Moore officiating. A graveside service will follow the service at Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.