Arnold "Arnie" Joseph Riniker

Arnold Joseph “Arnie” Riniker, 71, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 15, 1946, in Manchester, the son of Arnold P. and Mary (Bertling) Riniker.  Arnie graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1964. He was then drafted into the United States Army, where he served honorably in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967.

On January 28, 1966, Arnie was united in marriage to Lizbeth Westhoff in Manchester.  Three children were born to this union. The couple later divorced. On June 19, 1992, he married Jeanne (Loesche) Engelken, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. 

Following his discharge from the Army, Arnie resided in California until moving to Manchester in 1971. There he worked for Bob Stephen Motors, Flex Steel and John Deere in Dubuque, and ATI in Delhi.  In 1982, Arnie started Riniker Construction where over the years many of his customers became his lifelong friends. His passion and desire to work was never lost, even as he battled the end stages of Alzheimers. 

 Arnie enjoyed the simple pleasures in life like surprising Jeanne with spontaneous picnics, going on “deer runs” on back-country roads, trips to Backbone State Park, and going for walks with their dog, Rocky.  He had a passion for classic cars and enjoyed being able to enter his three cars in many shows and also driving them in the cruises.  His favorite summer activities were sitting on the deck soaking up the sun and fishing with his grandchildren. 

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Jeanne Riniker of Manchester; children, Susan (Kurt) Martin of Dundee, Amy (Tim) Stark of Elmhurst, Illinois, Brian (Laura) Riniker of Des Moines; step-children, Cory (Angie Hoyer) Engelken of Cedar Rapids, and Nickole (Dean) McGrane of Manchester; nine grandchildren, Ally and Kody Marten, Matty and Peyton Stark, Brady and Cameron Riniker, Sammy and Brandon Engelken, and Maggie McGrane; six siblings, Gene (Bev) Riniker of Beaumont, California, Mary Jane (Lawrence) Dewulf of Asbury, Nick (Tina) Riniker of Dubuque, Sandy (Tom) Moriarity, Sam (Teri) Riniker, and Mike (Patty) Riniker all of Asbury; brother-and sisters-in-law,  Fred (Sally) Loesche of Earlville, Linda (John) Foster of Manchester, Lois (John) Sands of Delhi, and Barb (Dick) Recker of Manchester; and many nieces and nephews.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Andy and Melaine Loesche; and a sister in infancy.

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