Joanne M. Rieker

Joanne M. Rieker, 93, of Grand Island, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at CHI Health - St. Francis in Grand Island with her husband and family by her side.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul. Interment will be held at the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Joanne was born on December 8, 1931, to Anton and Millie (Starkey) Smydra on the family farm near Boelus. She received her education from Loup City, graduating in 1948. Joanne was united in marriage to Wayne Rieker on June 5, 1976, in Grand Island.

Joanne was an animal lover and especially loved her pets. A pet never went unfed or unsheltered within her reach. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 119 in St. Paul. Her hobbies included crocheting, going out for a drive, or going out to eat with family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Wayne of Grand Island; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Cayle Townsend of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Nellie Townsend and Emma (Jared) Brnak of Colorado; great-grandson, Eli Brnak of Colorado; sister-in-law, Cecelia Smydra of Boelus; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; special friends, Darrel and Georgene Teller of Rapid City, SD, Kent Sanders of Illinois, Lawrence Syzdik of Cairo; Cindy Larsen of Grand Island, Lee Anna Koperski of Farwell, Deb Zaleski of Cairo; and her beloved dog, Rosie.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Smydra; and brother, Don Smydra; and special friends, Wilma and Jess Poss.