Amanda N. Rieckens, 28 of Eau Claire passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Dove Healthcare-West.
Amanda was born on August 23, 1989 to Sean and Cindy (Swedlund) Rieckens in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated from Fall Creek High School as part of the class of 2007. Immediately following graduation, she went on to begin her travels with the U.S. Army. Her boot camp days were in the hot humid world of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and AIT bound to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Right after boot she received her first deployment to Germany, and 89B would quickly find they had a sister for life.
Amanda enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. She would strike up a conversation with anyone and leave an imprint on their hearts. She proudly served time in Iraq as an Ammunition Specialist with a dream of becoming an interrogator. All who knew Amanda agreed that her voice, 6-foot tall stature, and fiery red hair would likely have gotten anyone to give up information. We could not have been prouder. Iraq returned to us a woman who loved her ARMY family; and we know how much they loved her. Army Vet. Bold. Fierce. Outspoken. Adventurous. Warrior. “You were brave in the face of war both physical and abroad.”
Amanda had a love for using her tattoos to tell her story. One says, “For those I love…I will sacrifice” and she did just that. She would have given her right leg for anyone, so appropriately, she had a tattoo on that leg “I don’t know how my story will end, but nowhere in my text will it ever read…I gave up.” From your BATTLE buddies, “UNTIL VALHALLA!” and “We’ll stand watch now.”
Amanda is survived by her 2 young daughters; Lena (7) and Layla (5). They were her princesses and we are blessed to have them to remind us every day how amazing she was. She was also survived by her parents, Sean (Shelly) Rieckens and Cindy (Jacob) Talamantes; biological father, Brad (Theresa) Keuck; sisters, Katherine and Miranda; brothers, Dylan and Luke; step-sisters, Sami Rau and Hannah Talamantes; step-brothers, Isaiah, Christian, Jace, and Gavin Talamantes; half-sister, Julietta; as well as many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be Friday, September 1, 2017 at 10:00 am at Smith Funeral Chapel with Curtis Moss officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, August 31, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Smith Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Friday. Burial will follow the service at Rest Haven Cemetery. American Legion Post 53 will be preforming military honors. After burial, friends and family are welcome to join us for a potluck and sharing memories of Amanda at the VFW Post 305.