Riehl was born as Bessie Alice Bateman in Swan River, Manitoba, Canada, on 30 August 1911. She grew up on a farm in Durban, Manitoba.

On 26 October 1933, she married Clayton Riehl. They farmed in the Ruby District until 1945, when they moved to Durban. The couple had at least three sons and one daughter.

In 2006, she became a resident of the Swan Valley Personal Care Home in Swan River.

Riehl passed away in Swan River, Manitoba, Canada, on 26 March 2022, at the age of 110 years, 208 days. At the time of her death, she had 13 grandchildren, over 20 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.