Natalie M. Rieckmann, age 87, of Waupaca, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Park Vista in Waupaca. She was born on October 7, 1937 at the family home in Fremont, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Henoch and Frieda(Stecker) Bruss. Natalie was baptized on October 24, 1937 and was later confirmed on March 18, 1951 with her confirmation verse being Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" On April 8, 1956, Natalie married Willard Rieckmann and together they enjoyed 68 years of wedded bliss and a lifetime of memories on their family farm.

Natalie was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fremont, where she was a former member of the Ladies Aid, LWML and a leader of the Wednesday morning bible study for many years. She was also a former member of the Invaders Snowmobile Club. Natalie enjoyed gardening and growing flowers, crocheting, embroidery, counted cross stitch, quilting, sewing and reading.
Natalie is survived by her husband of 68 years, Willard; three children, Ronald and Marla Rieckmann, and their four sons, Christopher, Matthew(Erika), Jerrod(Elizabeth Ruskosky) and Jason(Michelle); Connie Cloninger and her two step-children, Jessica and Michael(Alyssa); and Roger and Lisa Rieckmann, and their two daughters, Kimberly(Dan)Liermann and Michelle(Cody)Giles; seven great-grandchildren, Brady and Blake Rieckmann, Ian and Forrest Cloninger, Sophie and Carter Rieckmann, Alison Giles Baby Liermann and Kate Ruskosky; her brother, Rev. Eldor (Joyce) Bruss; her sister, Catherine (Jerry) Beattie; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son-in-law, Dale Cloninger; two brothers, Rev. Henoch Bruss, Jr. and Eugene(June)Bruss, three sisters, Naomie(Jim)Cuff, Joan(Ronald)Evenson and a infant sister, Anna Mae Bruss; brothers and sisters-in-law, Milo Swanton, Jr., Marjorie(Glenn)Sampson, Emerson(Dolores)Rieckmann, Ralph(Marie)Rieckmann, Wayne(Marian)Rieckmann, three nephews, Kent Bruss, Gary Sampson and Randy Evenson and a niece, Gale(Rieckmann)Schafer .
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 107 Tustin Rd., Fremont. Pastor Mark Drengler will officiate. Visitation will be held at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church on Saturday, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Burial will be in Wolf River Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Paul Lutheran Church and LCMS Foundation 1333 S. Kirkwood, St. Louis, MO 63122(Checks payable to LCMS with Bruss Families Seminary Scholarship Fund on the memo line)
Blue and funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements, to leave tributes go to https://www.lewinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Natalie-M-Rieckmann?obId=38467010#/obituaryInfo
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