Obituaries

Richard “Dick” Robert Riesen, age 75, of Verona, passed away April 3, 2025, at UW Hospital, Madison WI.

Dick was born on October 12, 1949, to Richard Russell and Margaret Mary (McCormick) Riesen in Madison, WI. He attended Queen of Peace Grade School, Edgewood High School, UW Platteville and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Madison Business College.

He entered the US Army in February 1972 and was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was discharged July 1975. During that time, he served 19 months in Germany as a Medical Corpsman and completed his duty in the US Army Reserve. He received the National Defense Service Medal as was awarded the Expert M16 for rifle marksmanship.

He was employed with Cuna Mutual for many years and retired from Madison National Life Insurance Co. After he retired, he worked parttime for Olsen Excavating as a bookkeeper. Dick was an avid athlete playing varsity tennis in high school and softball, basketball and touch football in the City of Madison Recreational Leagues. He was a member of the Edelweiss Chalet Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf and the camaraderie afterwards. He loved to travel and visiting casinos along with talking sports with his family and friends. He was a jokester and loved to tease especially his grandchildren.

Dick is survived by his wife, Patty Blumer Riesen of 28+ years; his two daughters, Rebecca Riesen, Placitas NM; and Melissa Riesen, Albuquerque NM; his stepsons, Ronald Blumer, Madison WI and Scott (Melinda) Blumer, Monroe WI; his grandchildren, Avery Kruger, Maya and Zoe Borck, Veronica (Peter) Blumer and Sarah Blumer. He is also survived by his siblings, Patrick (Laura) Riesen, Sharon Lieberstein, Jane Riesen (Bernard Ellefson), Ann (Mark) Barnard, John Riesen, and Mike (Sonja) Riesen; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both his parents and many cherished friends.

Services will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona, with visitation starting at 9:30 am and funeral at 11:00 am followed by a lunch and fellowship from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Fifth Quarter Bar & Grill, Verona.

The family would like to thank the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center doctors and staff and the UW Hospital nursing staff for the compassionate care they provided to him throughout his journey.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.