Obit: Darwin Riessen

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Darwin P. Riessen, 81, of Blue Grass, died on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 at his home, after a long battle with brain cancer.

Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Blue Grass Presbyterian Church in Blue Grass.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the church.

Interment took place at the Durant Cemetery, with military honors by the Blue Grass American Legion.

Memorial donations may be made to the Blue Grass Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Darwin was born in Davenport on Aug. 14, 1937, the son of Paul and Vera L. (Otto) Riessen.

He graduated from Durant High School in 1955. Darwin married Phyllis A. Mordhorst on Sept. 1, 1956 in Davenport. He served in the United States Army.

Darwin farmed his entire life in Muscatine County on the family farm.

He was a member of Blue Grass Presbyterian Church, Muscatine County Farm Bureau, a former member of the Muscatine County Pork Producers and past president of the Muscatine County Beef Association. He was an avid horseman and longtime member of the Quarter Horse Association. He enjoyed playing cards and bowling. He and Phyllis enjoyed dancing, especially square dancing and waltzing.

Darwin is survived by his wife Phyllis of Blue Grass, their children: Paul (Jannell) Riessen of Tipton, Darrell Riessen of Portland, Oregon, Denise (Mark) Forney of Camanche and Darla Spencer of Blue Grass; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; his sisters: Marilyn Reimers of Durant, Deanna (Keith) Petersen of Durant, Delores Frey of Huxley, Iowa and Beverly (William) Hart of Alabama; and his brother Vernon (Jean) Riessen of Durant.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Bonita Riessen.

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