Jean T. Rieke

Jean Tolle Rieke was born on July 30, 1936, in San Antonio, Texas, to Elmer and Katherine Tolle. She spent her childhood in San Antonio before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Texas State (now Texas State University).

After graduating from university, Jean began teaching elementary students at the on-base school at Randolph Air Force Base. A blind date led her to the love of her life, Don Rieke, and within six months, they were married. Together, they moved across the country, welcoming two sons, Glen Douglas and Gregory Alan, along the way.

Jean had a real love for people and community, serving as president of the Officer’s Wives Club while Don served at Norton Air Force Base. During this time, she also taught middle school home economics. Her expertise in this area was essential in feeding and raising two oversized boys.

After her sons were grown, Jean pursued a second degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston. She thrived in her new career, working in management for the University of Houston Hilton Hotel, the Remington Hotel, and River Oaks Country Club. Jean also worked at the Clothes Horse Boutique, where her love for fashion shone through.

A devoted grandmother, Jean never missed her grandchildren’s activities, from sports to concerts. She loved playing games with her family and even made appearances on The Price Is Right and Let’s Make a Deal. Known for her cooking and baking talents, Jean’s recipes—like Mud Pie, Quaker’s Cookies, Lemon Jell-O Cake, and Caramel Pie—remain treasured family favorites. She shared her cooking skills by contributing to church cookbooks and her love for people by volunteering in the children’s ministry at her church and the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Jean is survived by her loving family of 29, who cherish her memory. Sons Glen and his wife Sheri and Greg and wife Dawn; grandchildren Daniel and his wife Lauren, Dustin and his wife Carly, Jessica and her husband Mikey Juarez, Bonnie and her husband Hankyul Bae, Aaron and his wife Natalie, Zachary and his wife Camila and Bethany and her husband Devin Paul; great-grandchildren Selah, Verity, Anna, Coraline, Garland, Maxwell, Sophia, Ethan, Victoria, Logan and Samuel. Her life was a testament to her faith in Christ and her joy in serving others.

A memorial service for Jean will be held Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 4:30 PM at Gateway Church, 25314 Zube Rd,, Hockley, TX 77447.