Wolfgang F. "Fred" Rieker

Wolfgang Fritz ""Fred"" Rieker of Venice passed away on December 23, 2013. Fred was born in the town of Esslingen in southern Germany to Fritz and Erna Rieker on June 28, 1933. After surviving the uncertain times prior to and during World War II in Germany, he immigrated to the United States in 1955. He lived with his aunt in Columbus, Indiana until being drafted into the Army the following year. He was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, and his memories of his time in the service to his adopted country were some of his most cherished throughout his life. After his service and return to Columbus, Fred's first marriage saw the birth of his daughter, Renate, and son, Curtis. They moved to Atlanta in 1974, where Fred started Mid-South Equipment and Supply. He married Barbara Wilson in 1987. They retired to Venice in 2004. Curtis passed away in 1982. Renate married Michael Baldwin the same year, and gave birth to Christopher and Kersten, Fred's first grandchildren. Renate succumbed to lung cancer in 2007. In addition to Barbara, Chris and Kersten, Fred is survived by Barbara's son Glenn, his wife Lisa, and grandchildren Sawyer and Savannah. A viewing will be held from 3 to 5 pm on Monday, December 30 at Farley Funeral Home in Venice. The funeral will be at Farley at 1 pm on Tuesday the 31st, with interment to follow at Sarasota National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the National Lung Cancer Partnership at www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org/donate in memory of Renate Baldwin. Visitation Information Date: Monday, December 30, 2013 Time: 11:16 pm Farley Funeral Home - Venice Chapel Address: 265 Nokomis Avenue South Venice, FL 34285 941-488-2291 | Map Service Information Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 Time: 1:00 pm Farley Funeral Home - Venice Chapel Address: 265 Nokomis Avenue South Venice, FL 34285 941-488-2291 | Map Cemetery Information Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 Time: 2:30 pm Sarasota National Cemetery Address: 9810 State Road 72, , Sarasota, FL, 34241 941-922-7200 | Map