The Mass of Christian Burial for John Riehl, age 83 of Carson, will be held at 9:30 a.m. MDT, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Carson with Fr Daniel Berg, officiating.


Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. CDT at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan with full military honors afforded by the Walter J. Thome American Legion Post #45 of Carson, the National Guard Honor Guard, and the Mandan VFW.


The visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. MDT on Tuesday afternoon, May 5, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Carson. A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Serving as casketbearers are his grandsons, Steven Helfrich, Todd Hopfauf, Mitchell Riehl, Marc Ternes, Dayn Levorson, and Scott Lefor. The Carson Old Timers Pool League are considered Honorary bearers.


JOHN MAX RIEHL was born on November 23, 1925 to Lawrence and Magdalena (Eichenlaub) Riehl at Raleigh, North Dakota. John went to Brisbane Public School. John entered the US Army on December 20, 1945 and was honorably discharged on June 30, 1946. John and Joan (Wuitschick) were married on December 30, 1947 in Selfridge, North Dakota. John and Joan farmed and ranched in the Brisbane and Carson areas. To this union were born 9 children.


John was more than willing to be involved and over the years served on the Carson School Board, FHA Board, Fire Board, Carson Historical Society and ND Centennial Commission. He was also a member of the Lions, Eagles, was an honorary-life Knight of Columbus, and a member of the American Legion for many years.


John took great pride in being a part of the American Legion Honor Guard, and instrumental in establishing the Grant County Veterans Memorial and the Carson Cowboy Statue. He loved playing pool with the Carson Old Timers. John loved farming and the farm way of life. He enjoyed seeing the new calves and driving around during the early summer to show his hay and grain crops. John and Joan were very proud of their family. Each of their 8 children graduated from college, while neither of them had that opportunity. John also loved All- Star Wrestling, Johnny Cash music and Old Milwaukee Beer. He loved branding and butchering times with family and friends. John especially liked when company came to the house.


John passed away on Friday, May 1, at the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.


John is survived by (Joan) his wife of 61 years, along with his 8 children and their families including: Steven (Loretta) Riehl, Bismarck, Jeffrey (Paulette) Riehl, Dickinson, Rod (Paula) Riehl, Boise, ID, Brad (Janet) Riehl, Carson, Audrey (Roger) Ternes, Dickinson, Laurel (Bob) Weigelt, Minot, Sherryl (Mike) Lefor, Dickinson and Patti (Eric) Levorsen, Dickinson; 23 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren: his sisters Mary (John) Blotske, Underwood, Dorothy Fergel, Modesto CA, Emma (Lorenz) Loeb, Raleigh, Lavina Martin, St. Frances, MN, and his brother Tex (Maria) Riehl, Cannonball, along with 2 aunts, Rose Brooks and Josephine Mauseth.


He was preceeded in death by his parents, one brother Adam, a brother in law Gregory Fergel, and a still-born son.


In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorials be made to the Carson Ambulance Fund, 100 Main St. South Carson, ND 58529.