Charles Stephen Rieland, “Charlie” age 81 of Delano passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at his home in Delano. He was born on April 28, 1933 in Delano, Minnesota to Joseph and Lena (Grogan) Rieland.
Charlie was a 1951 Delano High School graduate. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Charlie operated an Insurance Agency in Delano for 30+ years. He liked to spend time at his farm and was known to his family as “Farm Boy Sr.” Charles was born and lived in Delano his whole life other than the service and a couple of short stints away
Charlie was known around the Delano and surrounding areas for the special project that he took on over a period of over 10 years. He painstakingly researched all unmarked cemetery graves in the local cemeteries in and around Delano. He went onto to create cemetery markers for the unmarked graves and you see them today as small white crosses throughout these cemeteries.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Eugene and Willard Rieland; brothers-in-law Julius Hardt and Clarence Russek; sister-in-law Jenny Rieland.
Charlie is survived by his children Michelle Eikens, Mark (Natalia) Rieland and Mary Emery; 7 grandchildren; siblings LeRoy Rieland, Viola Hardt and Luella Russek; many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday May 31, 2014 at 2 P.M. at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano, Minnesota. Interment with Military Honors was in the Delano Public Cemetery.