Jeff Rieger, age 51 of Savage, passed away surrounded by his family at Fairview Ridges Hospital on December 28, 2016. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 9-11:00AM with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM all at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 W 125 th St., Savage. Jeff will be laid to rest at St. Aloyius Catholic Cemetery in Lisbon, North Dakota. Father Mike Tix will preside.
On December 5, 1965 at Barnabus Hospital of Minneapolis, Thomas and Arlene (Visser) Rieger celebrated the birth of their son, Jeffrey Thomas Rieger. He was the second of three boys. Jeff enjoyed growing up in Richfield with his older brother, Kevin, and younger brother, Doug. The family also spent time with their extended family in Lisbon, North Dakota. The brothers were tightknit, playing sports together and spending summers at the family cabin on Cedar Lake. Once their chores were complete, their father let them do what they enjoyed best—pan fishing, hunting, and exploring the great outdoors. Jeff’s passion for the outdoors followed him into adulthood. Along with Kevin, he took many memorable hunting and fishing trips in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota.
After graduating in 1984 from Richfield High School, Jeff moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend RSI (Refrigeration School, Inc.). Upon becoming a certified HVAC contractor in 1986, Jeff returned to Minnesota where he began his life long career in the HVAC field.
In 2000, Jeff met Lori who was out with her sister in New Prague. It was love at first sight, Lori was smitten by the “goofball” she met at the bar. After years of dating, Lori and Jeff exchanged wedding vows on May 21, 2011 in Las Vegas. For their honeymoon, they rented a convertible and went on a road trip, seeing the Grand Canyon and visiting family along the way. The couple eventually settled in Savage where they enjoyed hosting family and friends. Jeff was famous for his grilling, especially for his smoked ribs.
Since his childhood, Jeff enjoyed sports, especially playing football and baseball. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan. In adulthood, Jeff found another passion—racecars. He joined a pit crew as the jack operator. Along with the pit crew, he traveled across the United States and visited numerous speedways.
Jeff was a big-hearted, fearless man who accomplished more in his short 51 years than many do in a full lifetime. His outgoing, friendly outlook on life will be cherished and carried on by his loving wife, Lori; parents, Tom and Arlene Rieger; brothers, Kevin (Theresa) Rieger and Doug Rieger; nieces, Megan Rieger, Katlyn Rieger, Jaquelyn Rieger, and Samantha Fincham; many other loving relatives and friends.
The Rieger family has been proudly served by the staff at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.
