Agnes Riha, 89

 

DECORAH -  Agnes Riha, age 89, of Decorah, Iowa died on Jan. 6, 2017 at her home.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Jan. 14, 2017 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Burial was at St. Benedict’s Cemetery.
Agnes Ann (Holthaus) Riha was born on Dec. 31, 1927, the daughter of Felix and Agnes (Schmitt) Holthaus on the family farm near Festina, Iowa. Agnes attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina, Iowa. 
Agnes was united in marriage to Edward Riha on May 5, 1947, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina. Together they farmed for a few years near New Hampton, Iowa and then moved to Ridgeway, Iowa, where they farmed for 45 years, retiring and moving to Decorah in 1994. 
Agnes was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and enjoyed helping with the funeral dinner committee. She was extremely talented. She had a passion for sewing clothes for her children, as well as her daughter’s dolls. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and embroidering towels. She fashioned many quilts, afghans and embroidered towels for her children and grandchildren. She loved attending antique shows and auctions, thus taking up the talent of refinishing furniture. Agnes was a wonderful cook and baker. She was always insistent that she fed everyone who visited and no one ever left hungry. 
Aside from her creative talents, Agnes loved to play cards and was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan. She was elated when they finally won the World Series!
Agnes is survived by her two sons, Frank  (Jo) Riha of Decorah and Gene Riha of Ridgeway; five daughters, Rosemary (Ronald) Hackman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Carol (Alois) Spalla of Fountain, Minn., Betty (John) Foreman of St. Lucas, Iowa, Connie (Alan) Muhlenbruck of Mediapolis, Iowa and Lori (Wade) Fisher of Rochester, Minn.; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lillian Holthaus of Decorah and Caroline Schildmeyer of Ossian, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Holthaus of Cresco, Verena Croatt of West Union, Iowa, Barbara (James) Jirak of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, Shirley Riha of Waucoma, Iowa and Mary Riha of Cresco; brothers-in-law, Leonard Riha of Madison, Wis. and Francis (Regina) Riha of Waucoma; along with many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Agnes (Schmitt) Holthaus; her husband, Edward Riha on Dec. 10, 2001; grandson, Steven Hackman; sister,  Rosemary Holthaus; brothers,  Severin Holthaus, Augustine (Ethel) Holthaus, Ralph (Olivia) Holthaus, Francis (Luella) Holthaus and Rudy (Germaine) Holthaus; sisters-in-law, Loretta (Alex) Rausch, Angeline (William) Brannon and Mildred Riha; and brothers-in-law, James Croatt, Daniel Riha, Mathias Riha and Joe Schildmeyer.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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