Fred E. Rieger

Fredrick Eugene Rieger, 58, passed on to be with his Lord at home in Shawnee, Kansas, on September 10, 2012. Memorial services will be at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 15 at Open Door Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the church. Graveside inurnment will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 17 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS.

Fred was born December 10, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri, and spent his early years with his parents, Carl and Nellie Zarr of Kansas City, Kansas, where he graduated from Turner High School. He was born of the spirit at age 12 during a revival at Berean Baptist Church in Turner, Kansas. He was married to Diane Erwin for 23 years, and they had two sons, Alex and Neil. They lived several years in Tonganoxie, Kansas.

Fred had a 33-year career with the US Postal Service as a letter carrier, and was known for his personal customer service and his amazing memory of exact addresses.

He married Gail Bishop Uzelac in 2001, and they spent eleven wonderful years together. Gail considered it a privilege to care for him during his ALS illness. Fred never complained about his condition and Gail served him without complaint.

His personal passions were his love for the Lord, his wife, Gail, his family, and his 20-year hobby of tree trimming. Fred was a member of Open Door Baptist Church, where he taught children’s Sunday School and worked with AWANA children’s ministry. He previously attended Tonganoxie Christian Church and taught young boys there.

After his ALS affliction, he played Texas Hold ‘Em on the computer where his online name was “To Heaven I Go.” He was a frequent free poker player at Sidepockets, known there as “The Master,” having been named by his buddy, Kurt, “Mr. Invincible.”

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Carl & Nellie Zarr, sister Barbara Zarr Hughes and Sister Christina Franklin. He is survived by wife, Gail Rieger, sons Alex and Neil Rieger, Aaron Uzelac and wife Colleen; daughter Gina Chapman and husband Edward; grandchildren Isabella, Jaden, Aaron Jr., Peyton, Ava; great grandchild Serenity; brothers Paul Zarr, Rick Rieger, Ed Rieger; sisters Cheri Kelly and Rose Rieger.

The family suggest donations to the ALS Association, Keith Worthington Chapter, 6950 Squibb Road, Suite 210, Mission, Kansas 66202 or Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas 66109.