Ronald Elliott Rietman

We are deeply saddened to announce that Ronald Elliott Rietman passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Arizona. Ron was born in Astoria, Oregon on March 9, 1944 to John and Lois (Harrison) Rietman while John was serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. When Ron was very young, the family moved to Lynden, WA where Ron grew up on a Dairy Farm. He attended Ebenezer Christian School and then graduated from Lynden High School in 1963. After high school, he attended Yakima Valley College and then the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science. He was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. In 1967 Ron was inducted into the U.S. Army where he ran the US Army Mortuary in Korea. This was during the Pueblo Incident, and he received the remains of our soldier who died during captivity. Ron was very proud of his service to our country. After leaving the Army, Ron lived in many places, from New York to Florida, and then to Louisiana. In Louisiana, he owned many Sonic Drive - In's with a couple of partners. While there, he met his future wife, Debbie. In 1978, Ron moved back to Washington and bought out his father’s business, Lil John Sanitary Service. Ron and Debbie were married July 26, 1980, and their daughter, Ashley Nicole was born May 8, 1983, on Mother’s Day. Ron sold out to Waste Management in 1990, and then kept busy investing in real estate, and taking care of rentals. For many years, Ron and Debbie were snowbirds, spending spring and summer in Washington, and winters in Arizona. Approximately 10 years ago they moved to Arizona permanently. Ron was a fun loving guy with a great sense of humor. He loved God, his family and friends, sports, fishing and boating, and had a great love of classic cars. Ron and Debbie were members of several car clubs in Washington, Arizona, and Vancouver Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rodney, and his sister Rebecca. Also, preceding him were his father and mother in law, Mark and Charline Pentecost. He is survived by his wife Debbie, his daughter Ashley (Sean) Shoemaker, and his grandson Beau Elliott Shoemaker and brother inlaw Gary Pentecost of Sulphur, Louisiana. He will be dearly missed, but we know we will see him again. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00 AM at Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, followed by a fellowship at Lynden City Park, 8460 Depot Rd. from 1:30 - 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation or Wounded Warriors.