Obituary of Janet Evonne Rieck

Janet Evonne Rieck was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend, who will be missed by all who knew her. She passed away at her residence in Portland, Oregon, on the 18th of October at the age of 55. She was born to Margaret and Lewis Roys on May 13th 1956 in Enterprise, Oregon, and was the younger sister to Karen Roys. Janet and her family soon moved to Spokane, WA where she acquired a pony, a German Shepherd, and a little sister, Debbie Roys. Janet then spent the next few years of her childhood in Tillamook, OR, where she acquired a love for the sea and all things dairy before moving to the Portland area at the beginning of first grade. Janet would end up spending most of the rest of her life in the Portland area. In Portland she attended Monroe High School where she focused on her vocational culinary training, was prom queen, and graduated in 1974. After high school she moved back to Wallowa County, Oregon, for a few years where she met Mathew Rieck at a New Year’s Eve celebration. They were married on January 26, 1980. Soon thereafter Janet became the loving mother of two children; her eldest Mary and youngest Aaron. She spent the next several years primarily as the homemaker for her family but was also employed at the Norm Thompson catalogue company for a few years. The death of her spouse Mathew at the age of 31 was difficult for Janet and she subsequently suffered from mental illness for much of her adult life. However, she did find much joy with swimming, church and friends; most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children. She is survived by both of her children: Mary Rieck of Seattle, WA; Aaron Rieck (and his wife Sarah) of Milwaukie, OR. She is also survived by her mother Margaret and step-father Ray Hollenbeck of Yuma, AZ, along with her father Lewis and step-mother Myrna Roys of Bend, OR, her sister Karen Szabo of Woodland Hills, CA, and her sister Debbie Anderson of Bend, OR. She was preceded by her husband Mathew Rieck, 1990. There will be a memorial service held for her on Saturday October 29th at 2pm. The service will be held at: Abundant Life Church 17241 SE Hemrich Rd Damascus, OR 503-658-8271 Please contact the church if you would like to send flowers. If you would like to make a donation in Janet's name donations can be sent to the Catholic Charities of Oregon's housing transition program: http://www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/services_housing_transition.asp