Ralph Martin Riekenberg

Ralph Martin Riekenberg, 88, long time resident of Houston, Texas passed away on September 8, 2015. Born in Lincoln County, Kansas on July 23, 1927 to Martin and Lena Riekenberg, he lived with his Aunt Vee (Jennie Vee Bell) in Beverly, Kansas after his parents passed in 1941 and 1938, respectively. He attended Beverly High School, graduating in 1945. After serving briefly in the US Navy, Ralph attended Kansas State College, where he graduated with an Agricultural Engineering degree.

Ralph worked at engineering jobs in the Kansas City area until August, 1963, when he moved his family to Houston to take a job as Production Engineer at The Houston Post. He retired from the Post in 1985 and subsequently worked as a bookkeeper in a commercial printing business owned by a family friend. He finally retired from the printing business in August, 1992.

Ralph met the love of his life, Virginia Jean Smith, while they were in school at Kansas State. Married in 1950, they remained devoted to each other for 61 years until Virginia passed in 2011. In 2005, Virginia had a heart attack and never fully recovered. During the six years that she was in nursing care, Ralph missed only one day of being there for her because of his own medical procedure.

Wherever they lived, Ralph and Virginia were always active in Baptist Churches. He taught Sunday School and provided leadership for the youth ministry. She was involved with youth and adult choirs. After Ralph finally retired, he volunteered at the Baptist Mission Center in Houston and performed volunteer maintenance work for First Baptist Church of Alief.

Ralph is survived by two sons, Martin Jay Riekenberg (wife JJ) of Austin and David Alan Riekenberg (wife Amelia) of Maplewood, NJ; and three grandchildren, Philip (wife Jessica), Margaret and Samuel.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, September 12, at 10:30 am also at the Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to First Baptist Church of Alief (12001 Moonmist Dr. Houston, TX 77072) or a charity of your choice.