Jean-Marie Michael Rioux • 1954- 2004

Jean-Marie Michael Rioux, 50, 713-6th St. SW, Minot, ND, died Thursday, December 30, 2004, at a Minot hospital.

Jean was born on August 27, 1954, the son of Dr. Berchmans and Mary (Sauter) Rioux in Port Chester, New York. Jean and his family moved to Minot in 1963, where Jean attended school and graduated from Bishop Ryan High School in 1972.

Jean enlisted in the US Army on May 18, 1972, and served during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge on March 7, 1975, Jean attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

Jean loved working on cars and was a certified Mercedes Benz Mechanic. He worked in Minot and Bismarck for a couple of years, until moving to Denver, CO, in the early 1980's. He owned and operated Jean's Mercedes Service in Denver for many years.

In 1994, Jean moved back to North Dakota. On August 2, 1996, he married Sheila (Kabanuk) McLaughlin in Minot. In 1999, Jean retired due to ill health.

Jean enjoyed his family and friends and had a very infectious laugh. He had a kind and helpful soul and loved anything that had to do with cars, reading, music, swimming, and animals.

Jean was a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion.

Surviving family includes:wife: Sheila of Minot; mother: Mary Rioux of Minot: brothers: Paul Rioux and Mark (Amy) Rioux, both of Denver, CO; Dr. Pierre Rioux of Austin, MN; sister: Mary (Mike) Jaeger of Circle Pines, MN;aunt: Catherine Sauter of Ridgefield Park, NJ; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Kay and George Riba of Minot;sisters-in-law: Karen (Clint) Beeter of Minot; Rhonda (Ron) Pennazoli of Clinton Township, MI; Lori (Kenny) Aberle of Minot; nephews: Sean and Jason Jaeger, both of Circle Pines, MN; Kevin (Renae) Beeter, Minot; neices: Kari (Scott) Herslip, Kristi (Terry) Chole, and Kayla Aberle, all of Minot; and Jenny Aberle of Fargo; great-nephew, Dadrien Jaeger and Nicholas Beeter.

Jean was preceded in death by his grandparents, and his father, Dr. Berchmans Rioux.

Funeral: Monday, January 3, 2004, at 1:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church Chapel, Minot, ND.

A private family interment will be held at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND, at a later date.

Visitation: Sunday, January 2, 2004, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Officiant: Reverend Ken Nelson

Music: Processional Hymn: "Amazing Grace" #448
Congregational Hymn: "On Eagle's Wings" (WOV) # 779
Recessional Hymn: "How Great Thou Art" #532
Gary Stenehjem - Organist

Honorary Bearers: Jean's family and friends

Back to Obituaries