Carl Leon Rieck

Carl Leon Rieck, 83, of Fullerton, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, at Grand Island Regional Medical Center in Grand Island.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2026, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton, with Pastor Joy Church officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fullerton Cemetery with military honors provided by Fullerton American Legion Post #151, VFW Post #5759, and the United States Army Honor Guard. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Carl was born March 13, 1943, in Burwell to Carl Leo and Florence Ruth (Freeman) Rieck. He grew up on a farm outside of Primrose and attended a nearby country school before graduating from Primrose High School in 1961. Following graduation, he worked for area farmers as well as on the family farm.

Carl met Gay Maybon at a teen dance, and the couple was united in marriage on March 16, 1963, at the United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. They made their home in Omaha, where Carl attended Universal Technical Institute to study auto mechanics.

In 1966, Carl was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1968. After a major tornado struck Primrose, Carl and his brother opened a garage there. In 1970, Carl and Gay returned to Omaha, where he worked in carpentry for more than 30 years before retiring from the union. In 2003, they moved to Fullerton, where he lived until his passing.

Carl had a passion for woodworking and spent countless hours creating decorative pieces, especially gifts for his brothers at Christmas. He also enjoyed gardening and took pride in raising produce for Gay to can. In his spare time, he liked watching old westerns.

Carl is survived by his wife, Gay of Fullerton; brothers, Arlyn of Tennessee, Marlin (Linda) of Columbus, and Gale (Michealine) of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Betty Rieck of Osceola; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Laurel and Rick; and sisters-in-law, Marty and Brenda.