Norman Rieger

Visitation services for Norman Rieger, 97, Huntsville, Alabama, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, with a Eulogy at 9:30 a.m.  Interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery will follow.

Mr. Rieger passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, February 2, 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama.

He was born October 28, 1928 in Dora, Missouri to James Monroe Rieger and Florence Orwick Rieger.

Norman is survived by his two children, Keril Rieger and Kevin Rieger (Becky); his two granddaughters, Tracey Bolds and Lindsey Rieger (Mark Childs); his three great-grandchildren, Mya Bolds, Monica Bolds and Faizon Bolds; two sisters-in-law, Joy Rieger and Gloria Rieger; a host of nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, to whom he was married for 61 years, his parents and his five brothers Lloyd Rieger (Aggie), James “Junior” Rigger (Phyllis), Joseph Rieger (Joy), Clinton Rieger (Gloria) and Dwight Rieger.

Norman served in the Navy from 1950-1954 on the USS Pickaway. He later enjoyed attending yearly ship reunions with his fellow Navy veterans. While stationed in California, he met and soon married Peggy Skeen. They had two children and settled in southern California. Norman began a career in the Fire Department, culminating in him becoming Fire Chief of the Morro Bay Fire Department. During this time Norman also honed and passed on his carpentry skills by building duplexes with his son.

In the early 1970s, Norman and family relocated to West Plains, Missouri to be closer to his family. Norman changed careers and began a sales route for local saw mills. He also continued building, including assisting with a home for his son and daughter-in-law to move into upon their marriage. As an active member and officer in the West Plains Lions Club he not only participated in local events, but he was also a member of the Lions Eye Bank transportation network.

Norman loved bluegrass music and attended nearby festivals. This hobby led him to become one of the founding members of the Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association (HOBA), later serving as President. Norman and family were mainstays at the HOBA campground where he loved to cook his famous “Bluegrass omelet” for others.

In the mid-2000s Norman and Peggy once again made a family-oriented move, this time to Madison, Alabama where they had more opportunities to participate in the lives of their great-grandchildren. He transferred to the local Huntsville Lions Club chapter, and he maintained a presence at HOBA by traveling back often to attend music festivals. At the age of 83 Norman put his carpentry skills of precision and design to work in a new way and began quilting. He joined his wife and daughter in becoming very involved in Project Linus, a national non-profit organization that provides quilts to children who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. He made many close friends through the local Huntsville chapter’s community sewing days, where he was known to always come with many donuts to share. Over the years he made and donated thousands of quilts to Project Linus, as well as several to People Helping Paws Cat Rescue where they were raffled off for donations.

One of Norman’s greatest prides was being a foster parent. He had been taken in by extended family after being orphaned while young. As an adult, he and Peggy continued the legacy of kindness by providing a safe and stable environment for dozens of children in both California and Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, Norman wished that memorial contributions be made to Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association, PO Box 541, West Plains, Missouri 65775 , and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.