John Rigter

John was born on July 25 ,1953, to Raymond and Orpha (Olson) Rigter in Webster City. He spent his early years on the Rigter Family Century Farm east of Kamrar, before moving to a farm east of Williams. John attended Northeast Hamilton Schools, graduating in 1971. He spent two years at Iowa State University until he went into livestock equipment sales and construction. John farmed with his dad, Raymond, until his death in 2015.

On July 12, 1986, John married Sandy Madden at St. John's United Methodist Church in Radcliffe. On New Years Day, 1988 they welcomed their only child J.D.

John spent many years as a volunteer with the Williams Fire Dept. serving as Asst. Chief and later Chief, as well as the Williams Rescue Unit. He served on the E911 Service Board that implemented 911 in Hamilton County. John also served on the Williams City Council and the Williams Apartment Board. After he retired due to illness, he spent many hours restoring and showing his fly wheel gas engines at many shows and enjoyed visiting with the people.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sandy of Williams; son, J.D. Rigter of Clarksville, TN; brother-in-law, Randy (Connie) Madden of Alden; nephews, Lee (Kay) Madden of Alden, Brent (Klaire) Madden of Ankeny; niece, Dr. Jill Madden of Boston, MA; great-nephews, Dylan, Cameron, and Lane Madden of Alden, Callan Madden of Ankeny; great-niece, Anna Madden of Ankeny. Special cousins, Bev (Gerald) Huisman of Kamrar, Joe (Kay) Rigter of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Jill Rigter (Gregg) Ewell of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond in 2015 and Orpha in 2010; sister, Susan in 2013; paternal grandparents, Joe and Jesse Rigter; maternal grandparents, George and Rickii Olson; uncle and aunts, Joel and Joan Rigter, Alvin and Elaine VanLangen and Elmer and June Timm.

Sandy and J.D. would like to thank Dr. Jay Brown of McFarland Clinic in Ames for his 35 years of care and friendship to John, and all the staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.