Rieth – Walter Harold Rieth, beloved husband of Kathy Rieth of Brooks, passed away peacefully following a brief battle with cancer in Brooks on January 9th, 2008 at the age of 61 years. Walter was born in Columbia, Missouri on November 13th, 1946 to parents Adele and Harold Rieth. He came to Ontario in 1968 and became a Canadian Citizen while living in Toronto. Walter later moved to Victoria and later settled in Alberta. He and Kathleen Martinyak, of Millicent, were married in 1980. Walter was a professed member of the Secular Order of Franciscans and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was active in parish activities and volunteered at many agencies through out the years. Walter was predeceased by his parents, brothers-in-law Dick Gauggel and Roy Cooper and mother-in-law Helen Martinyak. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy of Brooks, his daughter Jennifor Bickmore and her husband Fred of Edmonton; 2 sons Byron and Todd of Brooks; brother Bob and his wife Sue of St. Charles, Illinois; sisters Marge Bradford and her husband John of Kansas City, Kansas and Kathy Cooper of St. Louis, Missouri; sisters-in-law Margaret Gauggel of Brooks and Helen Blower and her husband Al of Kelowna and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and many friends. Prayer services will be held on Tuesday, January 15th at 7:00 PM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Deacon Robert N.J. Wilson officiating. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 16th at 11:00 AM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Avinash Colaco Celebrant. Active Pallbearers will be members of the St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus. In memory of Walter, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Brooks and District Health Foundation for Palliative Care, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B3. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
