John Riener

John Riener, 42, of Atwood, Kan., died Sept. 3, 2021, in Phillipsburg, Kan. He was born March 10, 1979, at McCook Community Hospital to Karol and Patricia (Marintzer) Riener. John graduated from Herndon High School in 1997, Colby Community College in 1999, and Northwest Kansas Area Vocational Technical School in 2000. On May 10, 2008, he married Keri Waterman. To this union, two children, Barrett and Josie, were born. John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Atwood, Kan.

John was a farmer and rancher. His love of cattle and farming began at an early age. He started building his own cattle herd while still in college. John enjoyed the freedom of being outside in the fresh air caring for his livestock. His pride in his work was evident as he told the history of each of his cows or bulls. John also looked forward to harvest each summer. He was part of a custom-cutting crew in high school and spoke often of their adventures.

John’s faith and family were very important in his life. He enjoyed spending quality time with his brothers and sister. Being the eldest child, he was excited to follow their sporting events, college successes, and growing families. He always said his ultimate prayer was to have a family of his own. His children, Barrett and Josie, were his pride and joy. John enjoyed evening walks, silly conversations, intense basketball games, four-wheeler rides, board games, and movie nights with them.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Riener; brothers, Michael and Daniel Riener; grandparents, Harry and Margaret (Ketterl) Riener and Hubert and Doris (Janousek) Marintzer. John is survived by his wife, Keri, and children, Barrett and Josie, of Atwood, Kan. Survivors also include his father Karol Riener and wife, Jacqueline of Herndon, Kan.; brothers, James (Amy) Riener of Phillipsburg, Kan., and Jeffrey (Megan) Riener of Stockton, Kan.; sister, Jessica (Landon) Keller of Beaufort, S.C.; step-siblings, Calvin Hughes of Redmond, Wash. and Kayla Hughes of Manhattan, Kan.; parents-in-law, Martin and Jane Waterman of Atwood, Kan.; sister-in-law, Kristy (Tim) Plander of Lincoln, Neb.; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Herndon, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, also at St. Mary’s. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Herndon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John Riener Children’s Education Fund and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.