FLANAGAN — Gerald Melvin Rients, 86, of Flanagan, died at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 11, 2014) at Good Samaritan Home, Flanagan.

His service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Flanagan. The Rev. Paul Lellilid will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery, with full military rites by Flanagan American Legion.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan, and at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. 

Memorials may be made to St. Petri Lutheran Church; OSF Hospice; Good Samaritan Home, Flanagan; or the Parkinson's Foundation.

Gerald was born Jan. 26, 1928, in Pontiac, the son of Louis O. and Elizabeth Park Rients. He married Doris Folkerts on June 3, 1951, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minonk.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years; two sons, Steven (Kathy) Rients, Pontiac, and Howard (Martha) Rients, Towanda; four grandchildren, Jodi Rients, Pontiac; Kari (Kyle) Mackinson, Pontiac; and Grace and Emma Rients, both of Towanda; a brother-in-law, Dale Weppler, Long Point; and a sister-in-law, Marge Folkerts, Minonk,

He was preceded in death by a son, Lee Rients; his parents; a sister, Lorene Weppler; and a brother-in-law, Julius Folkerts.

Gerald was a life-long member of St. Petri Lutheran Church, Flanagan, where he was on the church council.

He attended a one-room country school and then helped his father farm. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean Conflict. After returning from service, Gerald and Doris resided on the family farm near Minonk, and in 1994, they moved to Flanagan. Gerald continued to farm as long as he was able. After retiring, he enjoyed drives to the farm each day.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed his friends, family and especially his granddaughters.

Condolence may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com.