Donald (Don) W. Rietz, 79

Donald (Don) W. Rietz of Post Falls, Idaho, peacefully passed away Sept. 9, 2022, at the Hospice House of North Idaho surrounded by his three daughters.

Don was born Aug. 8, 1943, to Donald and Dorothy Rietz. He was the oldest of three children. In 1963, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he became a hospital corpsman. He served two tours in Vietnam, where he received the Purple Heart among many other ribbons, medals and badges over his 22 years of service.

In 1965, Don met the love of his life, Kathleen Koontz. They dated for three short months before getting married here in Coeur d’Alene at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Numerous duty stations took the couple and their three children to San Diego, Calif., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., and Camp Pendleton, Calif. His next job took him to Saudi Arabia for just over two years, where his wife and youngest daughter were able to join him. He worked as a hospital administrator. After his return from Saudi Arabia, he worked at Fairchild Air Force Base as the Health Care Benefits Advisor from July 1991 until he finally retired in December 2020.

Don is survived by his brother, Steve (Debbie) Rietz, Reno, Nev.; and daughters Renee (Rich) Cartwright, Rathdrum, Idaho, Michelle (Rick) Grebil, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Yvonne Rietz Mellick, Post Falls, Idaho. He has three grandchildren: Andrea Grebil, Lynnwood, Wash., Lauren Cartwright, Rathdrum, Idaho, and Emily Cartwright, Post Falls, Idaho. One great-grandson, Zayden Fister. Don is preceded in death by both of his parents; his wife of 49 years, Kathleen Rietz, and his sister, Barbara Rietz.

Our family would sincerely like to thank the Hospice House caregivers and staff for their tireless care, dedication, amazing support and exceptional kindness that they showed for our dad, family and friends.

Our dad was a great husband, father, brother, friend and soldier. We are so honored and proud to have had him as our dad. We love you dad!

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 at Yates Funeral Home in Hayden Lake (373 E. Hayden Ave. Hayden, ID 83835). A graveside service with Military Honors will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. We request this celebration to be casual attire.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com