Bethel A. Riens

Bethel A. Riens, 93, of Beatrice passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Beatrice Community Hospital.   She was born on June 10, 1932, at Ellis to William H. and Mae Anna (Carpenter) Nickeson and grew up on a farm near Ellis. She was baptized at the Ellis United Methodist Church and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church of Beatrice. She graduated from Beatrice High School. Bethel married Virgil Riens on October 9, 1949, at St. John Lutheran Church of Beatrice. They farmed near Ellis and Swanton before moving to DeWitt where they worked together refurbishing old homes that they made into rentals. In 1984, they then moved to Beatrice where she worked at Earl May, Kmart and sold Avon. She was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church, DeWitt where she taught bible school. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Beatrice and was a member of the Altar Guild. She was also the Ellis Cemetery Secretary for 23 years and a 4-H leader and helper.  Bethel enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities, flowers, gardening, baking, raising birds and was an avid bowler.

Survivors include her three children, Judy (Darol) Grummert of Daykin, Larry (Carol) Riens of Beatrice and Dan (Cindy) Riens of North Platte; ten grandchildren, Matthew (Leslie) Grummert, Mitchell (Traci) Grummert, Michael (Keri) Grummert, Curtis (Taneil) Riens, Kelsie (Cory) Schroeder, Kimberly (Tyler) Raasch, Brett (Jennie) Griffeth, Kristal (Kip) Shestak, John (Nancy) Riens, Jesse (Michelle) Riens; 18 great-grandchildren, Alysa (Colin) Strieder, Lilly and Bronx Grummert, Eric (Sarah) Bridgmon, Wyatt, Weston and Jackson Grummert, Tristan and Preston Raasch, Tenli Smutny, Cade and Rae Schroeder, Ayden and Kasen Griffeth, Kooper and Kolbie Shestak, Jaelynn, Wesley and Oliver Riens; two great-great-grandchildren, Brantley and Jesse Bridgmon; numerous nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Riens (2019); son, Johnny D. Riens (1971); parents, William and Mae Nickeson; sister, Evelyn (Earl) Tiemann; brother, William (Shirley) Nickeson; sisters-in-law, Eunice (Joe) McKernan, Janice (Eugene) Seidel, Irene (Robert) Kracke.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Beatrice with Pastor James Anderson officiating.  A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. on Wednesday at the church. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice on Tuesday from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Beatrice and to the family for future designation with Dallen and Nancy Johnsen in charge. Burial will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice.  www.foxfuneralhome.net  Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.