Mary Helen Rieke John
Mary Helen Rieke John, 86, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully at her home on January 27, 2009.
Mary Helen was born November 19, 1922 at the A.C. Rieke family home place in Shawnee. A lifelong resident of Shawnee, Mary Helen graduated from St. Joseph High School. She married Gordon F. John on February 7, 1945. She and Gordon owned and operated businesses in Turner, Kansas, and then settled in Shawnee in 1957.
In 1962, Mary Helen opened a liquor store that she owned and operated for 32 years until 1994. She loved to dance the polka and jitterbug. Mary Helen loved her garden and her porch swings, especially the one at her lake cabin. She loved her family and was a wonderful mom and grandma. Her infectious laugh and ornery sense of humor will be missed by everyone.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Gordon F. John in 1990. She is survived by son Randall P. John, Lenexa, Kansas; daughter Nancy Friberg Lambert, Baldwin City, Kansas; daughter-in-law Geri John; and son-in-law Wayne Lambert; five granddaughters, Julie Anderson, Lowell, Arkansas; Kelley Friberg, Miami, Florida; Jennifer John, Marina Del Rey, California; Stacy John, Lenexa, Kansas; Jessica John, Lenexa, Kansas; and one great-granddaughter. She is also survived by three sisters, Margaret Peters, Olathe, Kansas; Florence Soetaert, Overland Park, Kansas; Patricia Lynch, Shawnee, Kansas; and two brothers, Paul Rieke, and John Rieke, both of Lenexa, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM on Saturday, January 31, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation will be Friday, January 30, 2008 from 5 to 7 PM at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee where a Rosary will be recited at 5 PM. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
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Dear Nancy, Randy, and Family
Something beautiful and precious has passed from our lives. It was our privilege and honor to have been included in the circle of Aunt Mary Helen’s family. Every time we came to visit, we sought her out in order to bask in her special sense of humor and her love of family. Just last October at Aunt Pat’s home, we spent an afternoon with Mom, Aunt Pat, and Aunt Mary Helen, an afternoon filled with memories of the past and the warm spirit and laughter of Aunt Mary Helen. To us she was one-in-a-million, and we will miss her every day for the rest of our own lives. Bless you all in this difficult time of grieving. Aunt Mary Helen was one of God’s gifts to us all, and we are ever so grateful to Him for having been allowed to be a part of her life.
Our Love,
Ken and Carolyn Rop and Family
Growing up in Virginia I only had the opportunity to see Mary Helen a couple of times in my life, but even with those few and scattered childhood experiences, I can remember her laugh and the sense of belonging I felt whenever I I did see her. My family and I send our condolences to all those who will miss her and hope that her memory will continue bringing smiles to your faces and joy to your hearts.
I will always cherish the memories of all the pheasant hunting trips you made to the farm. I will never forget the time Mary and I bagged a bird and we weren’t even carrying a gun! The bird got caught in some brush and a barbed wire fence. Mary grabbed it and wrung it’s neck! What a tale she had for the guys. She will be missed. Oh, what memories.
I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting Mary a couple times she had a zest for life and a great love for her family. I would like to share my feelings by reciting the following from one of my favorite songs:
IT AIN’T OVER WHEN IT’S OVER (Kelley Hunt)
Well everybody’s feel’n so somber and sad
With their head’s hangin low feelin mighty bad.
But if they only knew, what I know,
They’d jump right up and let the good times roll.
It ain’t over when it’s over
The soul lives on and it never dies.
No it ain’t over, when it’s over
And there’s a better world wait’n on the other side – that’s right!
I believe this is not the end
I believe we’re all go’in to meet again.
Just keep on smiling through the tears in your eyes
There ain’t no reason to say goodbye
Cause it ain’t over, when it’s over.
The soul lives on and it never dies.
No it ain’t over, when it’s over
And there’s a better world wait’n on the other side.
I Can’t wait to be in that number how ‘bout you, when the saints all go march’n in.
No it ain’t over, when it’s over
And there’s a better world wait’n on the other side
And I will see you there – oh yes I will see you there.
Dear Patty, this is from an old high school friend. I want to offer my prayers and sympathy to you and Paul and John. My precious husband, Darrell, went to heaven on Dec. 2, 2008 after a year long battle with bladder cancer. I’m still numb and cry a lot but you’ve been through the same so you know what I mean. God bless you.
Love and prayers
Dear Nancy and Randy,
She was your Mom… Mary Helen… & Mrs. John. She could do it all. Run her business, herd us all into the caddie for the trip to school, make us laugh with her infectious laugh. Make you grimace with her stubborness. Her life ended at her home, where she raised you. Where she wanted to be. Our family histories run deep & I am blessed to have known her. I am sorry for your loss.
Ellen Nicks Rajdl
Randy, Geri, and family…
When you’ve experienced a loss such as this, few words give comfort. Just know that we are praying for you and your family – that you will find comfort and peace. We hope that you will find some reassurance from John 6:39-40:
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
God bless you all…
Nancy, We are sorry to hear of your mothers’ passing. I always enjoyed visiting with her and I loved the sound of her voice. Sorry we could not make it to visitation, I was working and we also have the grandchildren for the week-end, so Glen was home with them. Just wanted to let you know we care and are thinking of you, Julie and Kelley. Hugs Glen and Ruby
The John Family,
We were sorry to hear about Mary Helen. What a great gal she was,always had a smile,always happy. Talk about living life to the fullest. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
The Fanning Family
To the John/Rieke Families,
we were sorry to hear about Mary Helen’s death. She was one fine lady. she didn’t know a stranger, always had a smile,always happy. Every once in a while she’d have to straighten Gordon out
but I think he liked it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Fanning’s-Susie,Tim
Randy, Geri and family: We are so sorry to hear about your Mom’s death. She was such a cheerful happy person and always pleasant to be around. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.