Carl M. Riehl, 97, passed away from his earthly life on Friday, August 25, 2023 at the South Dakota State Veterans Home, Hot Springs, SD, where he resided for the past nine years.
Carl was born in the sixth month, on the sixth day, in the year Nineteen Twenty-Six (06-06-1926) to Maximilian an and Clementina (Loeb) Riehl at their home six miles southeast of Brisbane, ND. He attended Catholic Church at St. Gertrude’s, Raleigh, ND, country school at Two-Mile School, and high school in Leith, ND, and Carson, ND. During Carl’s senior year in high school, he helped his Dad with farm work until he was drafted into the US Army at the age of 18, in 1945. He completed his basic training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, spent the next three months in the Philippine Islands, followed by 18 months in Japan. During this time, he contracted malaria, and he was honorably discharged in 1947. Following his discharge he worked as a mechanic, a school bus driver, and a farm and ranch hand for his only sister, Anastasia, and brother-in-law, John Miller, in rural Raleigh, ND, for 13 years. He was also employed at a cattle feed lot and at Kustom Kraft, both in Edgemont, SD. After leaving Edgemont he became a full-time hired man for his brother Joe and nephew, Elliott Riehl, on the Bank Hill Ranch, Watauga, SD, for over 40 years. He stayed on the ranch until he retired at the age of 86. Carl then lived with his niece, Sharon Long, of Black Hawk, SD, and later with his niece Julie Montgomery, of Rapid City, SD. He moved to the SD State Veterans Home at the age of 88.
Carl had his hobbies, but work always came first. He enjoyed parades, fairs, rodeos, threshing bees, auction sales, tractor treks, and classic car shows. He loved watching horse racing, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and listening to country-western and old-time music. His Dad had bought Carl an accordion for $10 and he entertained many fans through his music and at dances. He took great pride in his 1967 Chevy Camaro and Ford Pickup. Carl was a lifetime member of Ralph T. Ankerson American Legion Post, #139, McIntosh, SD.
Carl leaves four nephews, Johnnie Miller, Mandan, ND, Larry (Betsy) Riehl, Battle Ground, WA, Elliott Riehl, Watauga, SD, and David (Josie) Heidt, Peoria, AZ; seven nieces, Alvina (Bill) Schwehr, Baldwin, ND, Bernadette (David) Weigel, Mandan, ND, Bernadine Miller (David Tooke), Lincoln, ND, Martha Riehl, Minneapolis, MN, JoAnn Gannon, Sioux Falls, SD, Julie Montgomery, Rapid City, SD, and Maxine (Ray) Hauck, Dickinson, ND; along with many great nephews, great nieces, and cousins.
Preceding Carl in death were his parents, Maximilian and Clementina (Loeb) Riehl; his only sister, Anastasia (John) Miller; brothers, Exsaferius (Mary) Riehl, Joe (Anne) Riehl; nephew, Raymond Miller; nieces, Gretchen (Richard) Stotts, Sharon (Steve) Long, and Virginia Heidt.
Many thanks to Carl’s caregivers and the medical/nursing staff at the SD State Veterans Home for Carl’s wonderful care. May the angels with their accordions welcome Carl to his Heavenly Home.
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 11:00 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Sturgis, SD. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com or to The Carl Riehl Family, 1473 Edinborough Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702.
