April 05, 2026
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Gary J. Riley

Creston

By Powers Funeral Home
Gary J. Riley, 78, of Creston, died Monday, March 2, 2026, at his home in Creston.

Gary J. Riley, 78, of Creston, died Monday, March 2, 2026, at his home in Creston. (Contributed )

Gary Riley, 78, of Creston, died Monday, March 2, 2026, at his home in Creston. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be 4-7 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at A&G Restaurant & Lounge in Creston. Private burial will be at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation later. Online condolences may be given at www.powersfh.com.

Gary Joe Riley was born Sept. 17, 1947, to Melvin Harrison and Ernestine (Rogers) Riley at Ellsworth Air Force base near Rapid City, South Dakota. He grew up on a farm near Prescott and attended Prescott school, graduating in 1965.

Gary was united in marriage to Rita Nelsen in July 1966. They had two children together. Nicole was born in 1969 and Jess was born in 1971. Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968, and later joined the National Guard, transferring to the Army Reserve, completing his 20 years of service. Gary and Rita later divorced.

On June 13, 1987, Gary was united in marriage to Kim Anderson at Salem Lutheran Church in Creston.

Gary was a member of Prescott Methodist Church, ABATE of Iowa, Creston Elks Lodge #605, Creston Eagles Lodge #1398 and a member of the Union County Veterans Board.

Gary is survived by his wife Kim of Creston; daughter Nicole (Kenny) Cooney; son Jess (Tammy) Riley; grandchildren: Emily (Joey) Huntington and Matthew Riley; great-grandchild Reedy Huntington; cousins: Lorri (Izzy) Glover, Ron Christ of California, Catherine (Ron) Christ of California, George Christ and Janet Goldsmith; his sister-in-law Karmen (Paul) Mattsen of Minnesota; brother-in-law Brad (Donna) Anderson of Arkansas; mother-in-law Joyce Anderson of Creston; many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law LaVerne Anderson.

“To fear death, gentlemen, is nothing other than to think oneself wise when one is not, for it is to think one knows what one does not know. No man knows whether death may not even turn out to be the greatest of blessings for a human being; and yet people fear it as if they know for certain that it is the greatest of evils.” -Socrates