Rosie Tena (Rieken) Riggins, 100

Rosie Tena (Rieken) Riggins, 100, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2025, in Havre, Montana. Rosie was born May 19, 1924, to Gerhard “George” R and Henderika “Rieka” (Damhuis) Rieken, in rural Sinclair, near Parkersburg, Iowa. Rosie’s parents passed away early in life: her father died in 1933 from a highway grader accident and her mother died that same year of tuberculosis. Rosie and her siblings were then raised south of Allison, Iowa at Butler Center by their Aunt Anna and Uncle Henry Ruehaak.  

She attended country school in Jefferson Township, Parkersburg, Iowa through the eighth grade.   “We walked a mile and a half to attend school to at Jefferson #1.  One year there were too many students in the school, so we attended a school to the north. Since it was further away a neighbor then drove us to that school with his horse and surrey.”  She then graduated from Aplington High School, Aplington, Iowa in 1941.  She continued her education at Gates Business College, Waterloo, Iowa graduating in 1942 with a Secretarial degree. 

“I always liked school and tried to do my very best.”

After graduating from business college, she worked for several businesses in Allison, Iowa.  First, the Butler County Ration Board for a couple of months, then the Butler County Farm Bureau and after that Allen Chevrolet as their first bookkeeper and secretary for a year.   She then worked at the Engineers Office in the Butler County Court House, where she met her future husband.

Rosie was united in marriage to Glen Lee Riggins on December 25, 1949, at Saint James Lutheran Church in Allison, Iowa.  They then moved to the Riggins farm west of Greene, Iowa.  When in need of a tractor operator for the farm she resigned from her job at the engineer’s office.  In 1951, they purchased the Bristow Elevator in Bristow, Iowa where she was the manager and bookkeeper of the elevator and feed mill for 25 years until it sold.  In 1977, she received her Real Estate License.  After Glen’s passing in 1987, the farm was sold and she moved to Allison, Iowa in 1990.  After spending many years in Allison, she made the “big” move in 2019 to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren in Montana.  She was able to live in an apartment at Timber Creek Assisted Living in Havre, Montana for her remaining years.

Rosie was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene, Iowa. She was a 4-H leader for several years, enjoyed sewing and quilting and kept busy selling Sasco and Mannetech products.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen, her parents, brothers Rieke, Pete, Henry, Anton, George Jr, and Albert, and her sisters Annie and Mattie, and son-in-law Stan Loge. 

Rosie is survived by: Daughters Carol Jean Loge, of Nampa, Idaho and Renita Ann (William) Brown of Big Sandy, Montana; Grandchildren Megan Ann Brown of Havre, Montana, Chelsea Rose (Charles) Putnam of Stephenville, Texas and Weston Lewis (Haley) Brown of Big Sandy, Montana; Great Granddaughters Kassidy Paige Brown and Stella Ann Brown and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life is planned for July 15 at the St Peter Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa.  Visitation 1:00 with the service at 2:00 and a luncheon to follow.