Wilhelmena Ann Rieckens (Kuper)

Wilhelmena A. Rieckens, 89, of Bellevue, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2014 surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 6, 10:30 am at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Bellevue with Pastor Paul Gammelin officiating. Friends may call Sunday, January 5 from 3 to 6 pm at Hachman Funeral Home, Bellevue and Monday morning an hour prior to the services at the church. Wilhelmena (Kuper) Rieckens, daughter of William & Katherine Kuper was born on September 21, 1924 in Bellevue. She married John E. Rieckens on September 21, 1947. He passed away in 2005. Wilhelmena graduated from Bellevue High School in 1942 and entered Finley Hospital School of Nursing September 1942. She graduated in 1945 receiving her Registered Nurse certification. She attended the University of Minnesota for a course in Public Health. She worked a year until the opening of Bellevue Memorial Hospital in 1947 where she worked until it closed, then worked at the Mill Valley Care Center until 1978. Wilhelmena was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church where over the years she was involved with quilting, quilt tying, chime choir, and the Rebecca Circle. She served on the Bellevue Museum Board for 18 years, volunteered at the Bellevue Welcome Center and the blood bank. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Wilhelmena was a caring, giving person who always had a positive attitude and spent her life caring for others. Surviving are her children, Kathryn (Ron) Johnson and Tom (Lila) Rieckens; brother, Vic Kuper all from Bellevue; grandchildren Scott (Taylor) Rieckens, Dave (Kari) Carter, Steve (Mandy) Carter, Penny Carter, Sara Johnson, step-grandson Gordon Johnson; 5 great grandchildren and nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; three children David, Sue Ann and Susan, sister-in-law Ruth Kuper and brother-in-law, Richard Rieckens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in her name to the Bellevue Ambulance Service or St. Johns Lutheran Church Music Fund, Bellevue. The family wishes to thank the staff at Finley Hospital, Mill Valley Care Center and the Maquoketa Hospice Staff for giving her loving and gentle care at the end of her long life.Reception:St. John Lutheran Church300 South 3rd StreetBellevue, IA 52031