Clara Tena (Rieck) Wadsworth

Funeral services for Clara Tena Rieck Wadsworth age 68 of Mitchell, SD, will be Monday, November 6, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the North Preston Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Johnson-Henry Funeral Chapel in Lake Preston. Interment will be in the North Preston Lutheran Cemetery under the direction of Johnson-Henry Funeral Home. Clara passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Avantara Nursing Home in Lake Norden, SD.

Clara was born October 6, 1955 in Lake Preston to Emil and Freida (Stolpe) Rieck. She grew up playing the piano and singing. Music was her life she played the piano for North Preston Lutheran Church for a number of years.

Clara graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1973. She attended SDSU for an RN degree in nursing graduating in 1979.

She married Ron Lane Wadsworth on October 4, 1997 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden.

The couple lived in Watertown, SD. Clara continued her nursing career. Ron owned and operated Ron’s Fireworks. Ron passed away on December 1, 1998 at the age of 49. After Ron’s death Clara expanded the firework’s business to other locations.

Clara returned to her studies while still working full time as a nurse. On September 7, 2003, ELCA Ordination of Clara was held at the North Preston Lutheran Church. She was called to serve at Wilmot Lutheran Church, Wilmot, SD and then New Home Lutheran Church, Mitchell, SD. She continued living in Mitchell, SD working as a RN at several area nursing homes until 2019 a stroke forced her retirement.

Clara is survived by her brother, Allan (Shaunna) Rieck, of Lake Preston, nieces, Amber (Corey) Nelson of Lake Preston, Chelsey Buss (Talon Lee) of Madison, SD and Maddison Rieck. Great-niece and nephews, Lorayne Nelson, Treyanna Buss-Lee, Lawrence Nelson and Tavian Buss-Lee.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Ron Wadsworth, infant brother Albert Rieck and her parents.