Obituary: Richard ‘Dick’ M. Nieth

Published 10:55 am Wednesday, December 18, 2019

July 21, 1931 – Dec. 14, 2019

Richard Michael Nieth, 88, of La Grande, died Dec. 14 at his residence. A Rosary will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 18, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Richard, also known as Dick, was born July 21, 1931, in Chicago, to Joseph and Alice (Milling) Nieth. He resided in California, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, Oregon and Alaska. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Los Angeles, California, where he later attended Loyola University. Richard served in the U.S. Army. He married Ann Lee Hall on Dec. 1, 1956, and they were married until her passing in April 2016. He then married Susan Selman on Oct. 8, 2016.

Richard was employed with Arrowhead Water in Los Angeles and the Department of Motor Vehicles, where he was the manager from 1969 until retirement in 1990. He enjoyed fishing, camping, playing Texas Hold’em, going to the casino, traveling and hunting. Richard loved his family and family get-togethers, playing cribbage, reading, watching football and making fun wagers with his sons. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Catholic Church. His faith and family were his biggest passions in life.

Survivors include his wife, Susan; children and their spouses, Michael and Keri Nieth of New River, Arizona, Laurie and Ed Fincher of La Grande, Deborah and Tim Doherty of Buhl, Idaho, Therese and Dave Lowry of Enterprise, and John Nieth of Enterprise; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Jim Wimer of La Grande; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and two nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann; daughter, Julie Ann Nieth; parents, Joseph and Alice; and in-laws, Wilbur and Eileen Hall.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.