Jean E. Riley

Jean E. Riley, 81, of Sioux City peacefully crossed over Saturday, April 17, 2010, at her residence.

Memorial services will be 6 p.m. Thursday at Fairmount Senior Apartment Community Room, 210 S. Fairmount St., in Sioux City. The Rev. Pointer of Sioux City Baptist Church will be officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.

Jean was born on her grandfather's birthday, Oct. 31, 1928, the daughter of Ida (Widner) and Ed Bliven. A lifelong Sioux City resident, she was a student of Cooper Elementary and East Junior and Senior High Schools.

On Nov. 3, 1947, she married Elmer "Tug" Talsma. She was later married to Lyman "Gene" Riley in 1989. She worked at many places including sales, at a podiatrist office, at Sue Bee Honey and lastly as a mixologist at the Jungle Lounge.

She enjoyed interior decorating, flower gardening, arts and crafts, early morning bird watching, reading, fishing and crossword puzzles.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathi (Talsma) Arnold of Sacramento, Calif.; two granddaughters, Jodi Shaw of Portland, Ore., and Beth DeBoer of Aurora, Colo.; a grandson, Rick Goergon of Sacramento; a great-grandson, Tyler Goergon of Sacramento; several cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends; and a special grandniece, Jessica Bliven with whom she was very close.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Ed Bliven.