John Kriegel, 78, of Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, at Smith Funeral Home in Brooklyn, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be designated to St. Patrick Catholic Church or the Children's Scholarship Fund of Brooklyn and mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 342, Brooklyn, IA 52211. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.smithfh.com.

John Ray Kriegel was born on September 8, 1947, in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of Gerald "Pete" Kriegel and Katy Marie (Niner) Kriegel. He was raised near Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn High School with the Class of 1965.

John was united in marriage to May McNaul on November 12, 1966, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brooklyn. They were blessed with a daughter, Toni, and two sons, Terry and Shawn. Their marriage later ended, but they remained devoted to their family. He was later united in marriage to Lynda Van Tomme, and they shared many meaningful years together. John spent his entire life farming, tending the land he loved with dedication and pride. A man of deep and steady faith, he was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. John dearly loved his family, and nothing brought him greater joy than time spent with his grandchildren. He found peace and purpose in the outdoors, especially through hunting, fishing, driving truck, and the daily work of farming that shaped his life.

John is survived by his sons, Terry Kriegel of Victor and Shawn (Kayln) Kriegel of Grinnell; his daughter, Toni (Jason) Douglas of Brooklyn; six grandchildren, Taylor (Yesenia) Houghton, Austin Houghton, Allie Jack, Bria Houghton, Georgia Kriegel, and Piper Kriegel; three great-grandchildren, Carson Houghton, Brayson Jack, and Olivia Jack; his siblings, Bev (Ken) Rubner of Cedar Rapids, Patty (Merle) Hall of Brooklyn, and Chris Zimmerman of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Alex Slaymaker; and his siblings, Ron Kriegel and Stephen Kriegel, who died in infancy.