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Col. Glenn L. Rieder
1923- 2017
Glenn Louis “Lou” Rieder USMC (Ret.), 94, of Watertown, died at his home on Sunday, All Saints Day, Nov. 5, 2017. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Veterans Day, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Watertown with the Rev. David K. Groth officiating. Friends and relatives may pay their respects at the church from 9-11 a.m., until the time of service. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown following the service. Memorials may be given in his name to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rainbow Hospice, Lions Eye Band of Wisconsin or the charity of one’s choice.
Lou was born June 20, 1923, in Madison, the son of Glenn Louis Rieder and Faith (Kline) Rieder. He was a graduate of Madison East High School, Madison, and attended University of Wisconsin-Madison (1941-1942) where he was a member of the crew team and played football. He joined the USMC in 1942 and was accepted into the Navy Flight Training Program. He obtained a private pilot’s license even before he could drive. His mother drove him to his lessons because he was only 15 years old.
At 19 years of age, Lou became a second lieutenant and a first lieutenant at 20. Astronaut John Glenn was in his flight training class and both became commissioned officers at the same time. During World War II, Lou served three combat tours overseas; one in the Central Pacific as a divebomber pilot and one as a fighter pilot in the Philippines and Okinawa. All total, Lou flew 24 dive bombing missions and served his country for 26 years. He flew over 30 types of aircraft during his military career. Lou was awarded numerous honors: three Distinguished Flying Cross awards, the Bronze Star with combat V, 10 air medals, campaign medals and other presidential citations.
Lou completed his academia with a military science bachelor of science degree in 1965. He retired from the military in 1967 with the rank of colonel and moved to Watertown to help his father with the Culligan Water Conditioning family business. He married Marie (Nass) on May 23, 1981. The Culligan firm was sold in 1982, when Lou retired for the second time. Lou and Marie then got the RVing bug and traveled throughout the U.S. Lou belonged to numerous military associations in Watertown. He was a member and past president of the Lions Club and Lou and Marie made frequent deliveries for them to the Eye Bank. At age 93, Lou could be found on the golf course any day of the week. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren as they picked up the sport. He had a love for music and donated his favorite instrument, a 1935 coronet which traveled with him to Korea and is now a part of the Good Shepherd Lutheran School Band.
Lou is survived by his wife, Marie; four children between them, Rollin (Bonnie) Rieder, Katherine (Al) Klewin, Lisa (Jesse) Abel and Jonathan Nass; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Marilyn Janicek and Kay Tetzlaff; and one daughter, Patricia Kling.
The family wishes to thank Rainbow Hospice for the TLC, especially the caregivers: Emily, Dana, Alicia and Kent. Many thanks also for the spiritual support given by Pastor Groth and by Bonnie Mihal, parish nurse.
Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home in Watertown is serving the family.
History of Watertown, Wisconsin