Joseph Rieb

Joseph Rieb, 91, of Denver, Colorado, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center.

Born September 19, 1927, in Buer, Germany, Joseph was the son of the late Johann and Helene Riebatzki. Joseph was part of a large family of four brothers and three sisters. Although Joseph faced many hard times between war and sickness, he was blest with the ability to see life through a perspective of joyous adventure. His sense of humor and story-telling drew others around him. He was a man of wisdom.

With a forest behind his parent’s house, Joseph developed a love for the outdoors. This life of youthful adventure was stricken with the tragic consequences of World War II. His father was drafted in the early years of the war. In 1943, at the young age of sixteen, Joseph was drafted into the war. He was sent to the Eastern Front at Tilsit when he was seventeen. He didn't see combat all through training in Tilset, but the night before training was completed, Joseph spotted the Russians in the field. That night, the German camp was bombed. Determined to put the advice of his father into action, Joseph recognized that staying at the Eastern Front was a death sentence. With a combination of pluck and providence, Joseph was reassigned to the Western Front and was captured by the American Army at the conclusion of the war. In September of 1945, Joseph was released and returned to Buer. Times were tough: his father still had not returned from the war, his mother was sick, and no food was available. Joseph used many resourceful means to provide food for the family that was at home.

Because of the interruption of the war, Joseph still had a year and half to complete his apprenticeship as a Strassenbauer (constructor of roads). After he had finished his apprenticeship, his father returned from the war. For the following year, he worked for his father who was also a Strassenbauer. In 1948, Joseph found his own position. As he said: “That was my trade, to build the highway, there was nothing to it for me. The only thing is you have to be careful. You cannot make a mistake.”

In 1949, a few of Joseph’s friends convinced Joseph to join them at a community dance. While at the dance, he saw a young lady, Gertrude Speier, with her mother. After a few dances, he returned to his friends and told them that she was the one that he wanted to marry. On June 20, 1953, Joseph and Gertrude shared their Catholic marriage vows, vows that required them to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death. These vows, wrapped in love, were demonstrated throughout their life. They built a life together that positively impacted those around them. They enjoyed each other’s company as they took trips together, built an apartment business together, and supported each other through times of sickness. Their love was in public display as they compassionately cared for each through multiple bouts with cancer. Whether it was Gertrude or Joseph who was stricken, their courageous and unfailing devotion to each other symbolized the power of sacrificial love.

In April 1961, Joseph come to the United States so that he and Gertrude could be with Gertrude’s brother and family. Facing language barriers and a tough labor market, Joseph could not find a job in the highway construction industry; instead he found a job at the Safeway Warehouse.

The defining quality of Joseph was the joy that he found in life and his willingness to share this joy. He discovered fishing as a hobby after coming to America. His niece, nephew, and friends remember fishing with Joseph and Gertrude as wonderful adventures. The great-nephews have poignant memories of playing cards, matching wits in chess, and going fishing. Joseph would also take his great-nephew, Bruce, to the Edelweiss Club for Schuhplattlers performances. The topping for each of these experiences were the stories. For when Joseph started to tell stories, heads would turn, and people would lean in to listen.

Joseph is survived in America by his loving wife, Gertrude, to whom he was married for 65 years; his nephew: Henry Speier (spouse Ann) and niece Joann Nerheim (spouse Kirk); his five great-nephews: Kevin Nerheim (spouse Rachel), John Speier, Bruce Nerheim, William Speier, and Christopher Speier; and his sister-in-law Sidonia Speier. In Germany, Joseph is survived by many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great nephews. His niece, Giesela, mirrored Joseph’s love of life when she came to Denver to assist in his care-giving.

A rosary service and remembrance will be held at Christ the King Church, 830 Elm Street Denver, on Wednesday, April 24 at 10:00 AM. The Mass of Resurrection will follow immediately afterward.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80246 or online by https://thedenverhospice.org/giving/give-donate/.

Recitation of the Rosary : April 24, 2019 10:00 am - 10:30 am

Christ the King Catholic Church
830 Elm St.
Denver, CO 80202

Funeral Mass: April 24, 2019 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Christ the King Catholic Church
830 Elm St.
Denver, CO 80202