Fritz G. Riese, age 91, of Friendship, Wisconsin died Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Villa Pines Living Center in Friendship, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale, Wisconsin. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Interment with military honors will be at the East Arkdale Cemetery. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday at Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church.
Fritz was born November 16, 1924 in the Town of Big Flats, Adams County, Wisconsin to Herman Otto and Martha (Martin) Riese. He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1941 at 16 years old, having been allowed to skip two grades while attending the Murray School. For a short time, he worked on the family farm, then enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine and served 1945 to 1947 from the East Coast to France, Germany, Italy and Greece.
He married Norma D. Jensen on September 4, 1949 in Arkdale, Wisconsin, and their commitment to each other endured for almost 67 years. Together, they became the parents of a daughter and two sons, and joyfully welcomed six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, Fritz owned and operated a trucking business and helped clear the land which eventually became Lake Petenwell. He started work with the C&NW Railroad in 1951 as a fireman and engineer, retiring November 18, 1985 after 34 years of service. Fritz never minded hard work. While employed by the railroad, he also planted over 2 million Norway and white pine trees in Adams and surrounding counties, built a new home for his family using cement blocks he made himself, established a mobile home rental business, and never stopped hoping that one day the Bohemian Hall would again be a place for people to enjoy music with their friends. In 1990, after his retirement, he bought Norma’s family home, and tackled the project of moving it one/half mile down the road to its current location, where they have lived since 1991. In 1994 and 1995, he served on the building committee of Trinity Lutheran Church, and helped with its construction. In addition, he made two trips St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, as a Lutheran World Relief volunteer to help repair and rebuild after Hurricane Marilyn. Then, in 1997, he volunteered his time and equipment to help the Adams-Friendship School District move into a new high school.
Fritz taught himself to play both the guitar and accordion. He very much enjoyed singing and making music, by himself, with others and for others. He especially loved country western music, and one of his proudest moments was in 1990 when he had the opportunity to sing “Back in the Saddle Again” on the Ralph Emery TV Show in Nashville. Music and dancing were a must at any special family celebration. He used his talents to entertain local nursing home residents for several years after retirement, and sang in the Trinity Lutheran Senior Choir.
Fritz was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He cherished spending time with his family at home, and took a keen interest in their lives, helping them in any way he could with advice or handyman skills, and traveling with them on special trips to far-off destinations. His beloved dog, Daisy, also held a special place in his heart.
Fritz was a member of the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Red Cloud Post #250, the Railroad Retirement Board and a former officer of the Adams-Friendship Alumni Association.
Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, Herman “Otto” & Martha Riese; sisters, Hilda (Clyde) Whitney & Ida (Frank) Solkey; brothers, Carl (Lois) Riese; Herman (Iva Mae) Riese &, Elmer Riese.
Survivors:
Wife: Norma Riese of Friendship, Wisconsin
Daughter: Sharon (Thomas) Guzman of Friendship, Wisconsin
Son: Barry (Deborah) Riese of Madison, Wisconsin
Son: Lowell Riese of Friendship, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Jill Guzman of Friendship, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Amy Guzman of Middleton, Wisconsin
Grandson: Ryan Guzman of Middleton, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Emily (Joe) Van Der Puy of Bayfield, Wisconsin
Grandson: Ted (Kori) Riese of Menands, New York
Grandson: Owen Riese of Adams, Wisconsin
Great-Granddaughter: Ashley Kubly of Brooklyn, New York
Great-Granddaughter: Alyssa Kubly of Friendship, Wisconsin
Great-Grandson: Orion Riese of Menands, New York
Brother: Donald Riese of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sister-in-Law: Mary E. Riese of Friendship, Wisconsin
further survived by nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins
To the family of Fritz. He was a kind and gentle man with a great talent that he loved to share. He raised a good family and loved all of them. Heavens choir has gained a wonderful voice. Sorry we were not able to attend his service but know we were thinking of you. Take care and may God Bless.
Norma and family,
So sorry to hear about Fritz!!! My deepest sympathy to all of you. He will always be remembered as such a great man!!!!
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Fritz was the best of men and will be missed by many. My prayers are with the Riese family.
Condolences to your family at this time. So sorry for your loss. Cherish all those memories. God Bless.
Our deepest sympathies, Fritz was our landlord for several years. We are sending our prayers to his family.
We are so sorry to hear of Fritz’ passing. Karl and I were very lucky to have met and got to know him. He enriched our life greatly.
Norma, Sharon, Tom and the rest of the Riese family please accept our very heartfelt condolences. We only found out today and sorry we missed the service.
Rest in peace Fritz.
Uncle Fritz was a gentle giant and will be missed by all that knew him. I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to be around him over the years.
So sorry for your loss
We send our love and condolences to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear about your loss. We are glad we had the oppotunity to meet Fritz. May he rest in peace.
We’re sorry for your loss. Peace and comfort to you during this difficult time.
Barry we was sorry to hear about your Dad. Treasure all your memories and know that others are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Please accept our sympathy, We will always remember him singing,” Why me Lord, what have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known”—Thanks for the memories.
Norma and family…..Sorry to hear of Fritz’s passing. He will be missed by all who knew him. I loved his laugh and sense of humor and
he was helpful to so many people. As a member of the Historical Society, all members were sorry that we were unable to save the Bohemian Hall…..there was so much fun and laughter in the dance hall when we were there and Gordon and I met there at a dance many years ago. I know he is happy with the Lord. Mary Lee and Gordon Klaus
So many hearts are hurting today to hear about one of the great men of our community gone who was responsible and touched so many with his big heart and talent. Our prayers are with you at this very sad time and peace knowing he is in good hands. I will notify my brother vern
My condolences to the Riese family for the loss of one of Adams countys great ones. Rest in peace.
Norma, Sharon & Tom, Barry & Deb, and Lowell and Families, our sympathy is with you all. Fritz was a kind and talented man! Prayers are with you that you will be comforted.
My condolences to the family. With great sympathy and much appreciation for such lovely friends and neighbors when I was growing up on Czech Ave. I was so sorry to learn of Fritz’s passing and wish you peace during this time of loss and transition.
I keep a special place in my heart for Fritz. Enjoyed being around him and helping when we visited at the family reunions
To Norma, Sharon, Barry and Lowell and all of your families, I give you my most heartfelt condolences. He was a rock and a cornerstone of all of us in Arkdale. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know and respect him.
To the riese/kubly family i send prayers to you in this difficult time. From the lecy/gruber family
Norma and Riese family. So sorry to hear of Fritz passing away. My family and I think the world of Fritz . And will miss him. Norma you need something don’t be afraid to ask. Love Patty Schiefer and family.
What a long, full, wonderful life. You must be very proud of him and all he accomplished. My condolences.
Sharon, Barry, Lowell and families. Thinking of you at this time in your lives. Sending Thoughts and Prayers.
Norma and Family, so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have another commitment the day of the funeral and will not be able to attend it.
Condolences to the Reese family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Barry and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. May the memories of a lifetime sustain you in the coming months.
Peggy (Joyce) Connell
Sorry to hear as Fritz’s passing. He was a kind man and worked hard for our community.
Sorry for your loss .
To Barry and Deb, and the rest of the Riese family, Jim and I send our heartfelt condolences. Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man, and it’s clear that his musical legacy lives on through you.
Sharon and families, so sorry to hear of Fritz’s passing. You all have our heart felt condolescences.
Loved his stories and always enjoyed seeing him through the years
Rest in peace Fritz. …Julane Scheel ( Riese)
So sorry to read of Fritz’s passing. Always enjoyed his visit with me at the Co-Op those many years. He never forget my name or to stop and say Hi. May he rest in peace.
may Fritz sore on the wings of the white doves. (like the song he sung for my father’s funeral). he had a wonderful voice. he will continue to sing with the angels. as you comfort each other share your memories. may God family and friends comfort you during this difficult time. so very sorry on your loss
To the Riese family, Blackberry & Deb, So sorry for your loss. I know no words can help right now.
Your dad sounded like a great guy and was involved with many diverse things. What a great life!
You’re in our thoughts and prayers. Lee & James
So sorry for your families loss
My Mom enjoyed Fritz’s music every time he played and in her later years it was when he played at the Villa Pines. Thank you to the Riese family for sharing him with so many. May you mourn his loss but celebrate a life so well lived. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sorry to the Riese family for their loss. I always enjoyed meeting up with Fritz. He was an open, friendly man. I particularly liked musically backing him years ago. He had a great set at the Legion Hall.
What a good man Fritz was. His love for music was almost as strong as his love for his family. Back in the day we talked about doing a duet sometime but that never came to pass, sorry to say. I thought “On the Wings of a Snow White Dove” would have been a great song to harmonize on, his kind of music. I remember Fritz singing that at Ray Henriksen’s funeral. My sympathy to you all. He had a great life with all of you as part of it. May God bless your memories.
Barry and family, My condolences to all of you in the loss of your father. Another angel in heaven to watch over those here on earth.
Condolences to your family. Long time neighbor to my parents & our family. May he be at peace.
Sorry to hear about your loss…thoughts and prayers for the family.
My condolences to the Riese/Guzman families. Fritz was a wonderful man and always treated me and my mom well on the multiple occasions we occupied his mobile home park. His daughter and granddaughters are family to me. He will be missed by many. R.I.P. Fritz!
To the Riese family, we are so sorry for your loss. I met Fritz in the late 60’s with my dad and later had the opportunity to work with Fritz on the railroad. What an interesting life he led.
May he rest in peace.