Blackmer Funeral Home

Although his Spirit will live on with all of us, we say goodbye to an amazing husband, father, brother, family member, co-worker, and friend. 

James Urban Riener was born in Cottonwood, Idaho to Urban and Rita Riener, on August 21, 1954.  

Jim leaves behind his wife, Kathy (Neeser) Riener; 4 wonderful children, Michelle James, Kristina Riener, Paul Riener, and Daniel Riener. Jim was one of 16 children. He is also survived by his mother, Rita Riener; 15 siblings: Carla Riener, Tom Riener, Betty Dunham, Sharon Kinzer, Dick Riener, Jean Poxleitner, Harry Riener, John Riener, Gary Riener, Cynthia Ostrander, Dale Riener, Kenny Riener, Carrie NyGaard, Joe Riener, and Donald (Barney) Riener.  

Jim grew up on the Camas Prairie, attended Prairie High School, and worked in his father’s grocery store. He was a good student and gifted athlete who earned letters and awards playing all the major sports. As a sophomore, Jim often started on the varsity basketball team. He was captain of the football, baseball, and basketball teams, as well as ASB president his senior year of high school. As a young man, he attended Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho where he earned an Associates Degree in auto mechanics. Upon graduation, Jim moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where he worked in agriculture for Dunham Farms and Walla Walla Farmers Co-Op for over 20 years. He was highly respected as both a person and professional by all of his co-workers and customers.  

Jim and Kathy married on June 10, 1978 at Assumption Catholic Church in Ferdinand, Idaho. They made their home in Walla Walla for 30 years. More recently, Jim and Kathy moved back to Ferdinand, Idaho where he worked for the McGregor Company.  

Jim spent the last years of his life doing everything he loved including fishing, going for drives along the Salmon River, camping, cooking, yard work, gardening, and always trying to get the biggest buck! Jim was a gentle soul that brought laughter and love to all who were blessed to know him. He brought great meaning to the simple things in life. He loved his beautiful Idaho, especially the rivers, streams, mountains of wilderness, and the great bounty that the Lord provided. He also loved farming and raising crops, from the rolling hills of Walla Walla to the wide open fields of the Camas Prairie. Finally, he loved to be with people, to get inside their heads, hearts, and lives, and then from the deep empathy he would gain, find ways to make them truly laugh and be happy.  

Jim was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2008. He made the transition from this life to eternal life in Heaven, on May 29, 2009, in Spokane, Washington, at a family member’s home. He was surrounded by many family and friends in the final days of his life. Even in the last few days, he continued to make people laugh with his sense of humor. Jim was a very special man who found peace and comfort in Jesus. He has walked in the valley of the shadow of death and fished the cool still waters before entering the gates of heaven to spend eternity with Jesus. All of us who mourn the loss of Jim can find comfort in the truth. In Christ there are no goodbyes. In Christ there is no pain, no tears, and no sorrow. Hold on to Jesus and you shall see Jim again.  

If you would like to make a donation on Jim’s behalf, please make donations to the charity of your choice.  

All are welcome to attend Jim's funeral mass at Assumption Catholic Church on Thursday, June 4, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. A private family burial service will follow at Morrow Town Cemetery (immediate family only please). A celebration of Jim's life will also be held at the Ferdinand Hall following the funeral mass. Please bring your stories of Jim as there will be time to share your special memories. 

Services are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.