Peter A. Kriener

Tuesday, July 7, 2020 3:27 pm

Peter A. Kriener, 83, of Fort Atkinson, died Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 8, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements. Visitation was from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, and also after 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Organist was Kathy Meyer. Cantors were Evie and Cassie Milbrandt. Hymns were “Softly and Tenderly,” “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lector was Ron Kriener. Offertory gift bearers were Jordan, Mitchell, Caleb, Karter Kriener and Gryffin Zirtzman. Honorary casket bearers were Peter’s grandchildren. Casket bearers were Arnie Kriener, Duane Kriener, Todd Soukup, Carl Kriener, Paul Kriener and Loren Kriener. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson.

Peter Arnold Kriener was born Aug. 28, 1936, the son of Peter and Mary (Kuennen) Kriener on the family farm near St. Lucas. He graduated from St. Luke’s Catholic School in 1954. After high school, Peter worked with his family on their farm. He served in the United States Army in Korea from 1959 to 1961.

Peter returned home and continued to farm. He married Diane Soukup Aug. 16, 1969, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Together they had seven children. Peter loved his lifelong career of farming. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs and watching his children’s sporting events. Peter was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters and American Legion Aloysius Schmitt Post No. 691.

Peter is survived by his wife, Diane; children: Deb (Kerri) Langreck, St. Lucas; Arlen (Annette) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; Jeremy (Samantha) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; Denise (Kurt) Zirtzman, Ryan; and Sara (Jake) Shaw, Nora Springs; grandchildren: Kyle and Kalvin Langreck; Brad, Marcus, Jordan and Mitchell Kriener; Karter Kriener, Caleb Kriener, Gryffin Zirtzman; step-grandchildren: Krista Geuther, Abbi Vorwald and Shelby Fiala; daughter-in-law, Kaiya Kriener; siblings: Anita Busta, Fort Atkinson; Conrad (Kathleen) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; Jerome (Madonna) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; sisters-in-law: Anastasia Kriener, Fort Atkinson; Rosemary Kriener, Fort Atkinson; and Karen (Darrel) North, Krum, Texas; brother-in-law, Todd (Jan) Soukup, Waukon; along with many nieces and nephews.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Mary (Kuennen) Kriener; daughter, Annette, in infancy; son, Peter J. Kriener; brothers: Cyril, Ignatius (Pauline) Kriener, Francis, Linus, Herman (Greta) Kriener, Leo and Lawrence, in infancy; sister, Eleanor (Reuben) Mracek; father and mother-in-law, James and Mary (Andera) Soukup; brother-in-law, John Soukup.