Gavin Scott Riessen

SIOUX CITY -- Gavin Scott Riessen, 25, of Sioux City died Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, in Sioux City, following a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Randy Cormeny of Battle Creek, Iowa, officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Gavin was born Sept. 9, 1983, in Ida Grove, Iowa, to Terry and Michelle (McMahon) Riessen. He grew up in Sioux City and attended schools in Sioux City and Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto.

He married Courtney Benton on March 2, 2008, in Sioux City, after being together for the previous six years. Gavin loved to cook and had worked at various restaurants in Sioux City. He loved spending time with his family. Gavin enjoyed snow, football and was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also liked to hunt with his dog, Pixie.

Survivors include his wife, Courtney of Sioux City; two daughters, Jaide Lynn Riessen and Ruthie Marie Riessen, both at home; his mother, Michelle Hein and her husband, Marc Hein of Sioux City; his father, Terry Riessen and his wife, Heidi of Wichita, Kan.; two brothers, Brady Riessen and his fiancee, Kara of Sioux City, and Remington Hein of Sioux City; two sisters, Shaina Riessen and her significant other, Jordan Pojar of Kansas City, Mo., and Becca Bradley of Wichita, Kan.; maternal grandparents, Jeannie McMahon of Sioux City and John McMahon and his wife, Gail of Newton, Iowa; paternal grandparents, Ron and Sheryll Riessen of Battle Creek, Iowa; his mother-in-law, Lavonne "Missy" Long and her family of Sioux City; two nieces, Kali and Zoey; his special grandmother, Grace Frandsen of Battle Creek; his godparents, Gary and Reta Jensen of Cherokee, Iowa; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Mike Benson, Adam Raub, Shea Cox, Jason Grey, Heath Campbell, Billy Zinn, Justin Dunn, Adam Dudley. Honorary pallbearer will be ChristJon Carley.

Memorials may be made in his name to Jaide Lynn and Ruthie Marie Riessen Education Fund for his daughters.