Gilson Donald Riecke, son of Carl August and Lydia (Neugebauer) Riecke, was born July 2, 1922 on the family's farm near Corsica, South Dakota where he lived until 1936 when the family moved to a farm near Ruthven, Iowa. He attended and graduated from the Ruthven High School, where he met Betty Carver. They were married September 4, 1943. They were blessed with three children, Gary, Jonny and Jay.

While in high school, Gilson found an industrial arts teacher who kindled in Gilson a love for woodworking which lasted his entire life. His master pieces of sculpting, modeling and creative miniature art works were one eighth scale models of 1936 tractors. These were made in precision detail from walnut wood. From these pieces, his interest evolved into the sculpting and aluminum casting of miniature tractors, farm equipment and other items. Gilson was honored by being inducted into the National Farm Toy Hall of Fame at the group's meeting in Dyersville, Iowa in 1998.

After Betty's death, Gilson and Maxine Hansen shared the next forty five years of their lives together. Maxine's children, Denny, Cindy and Becky became a large part of Gilson's life.

Gilson farmed near Ruthven and turned his hobby of making toy tractors into a profession. He also owned a farm in Montana which he and Maxine enjoyed visiting together.

Gilson will be remembered by all who knew him for his quaint sense of humor and his lovely wooden gifts he shared with his friends and family.

Gilson passed away Monday, November 19, 2018, at the Ruthven Community Care Center, at the age of 96. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty Riecke; brothers, Ray, Ralph and Stewart Riecke; a sister, Mabel; and Maxine's daughter, Becky.

He is survived by Maxine Hansen of Ruthven, Iowa; his children, Gary Riecke of Bigfork, Montana, Jonny Binkard of Ponca, Nebraska and Jay Riecke of Townsend, Montana; Maxine's children, Denny Hansen of Ruthven, Iowa, Cindy Essick of Spencer, Iowa and Becky's husband, Don Halder of Ruthven, Iowa; ten grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; three sisters, Ruth Olson of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Lily Costello of Millersburg, Pennsylvania and Inez Wheekly of Dillon, Montana; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home