Obituary: Joanne C. Riesterer (Greuel)

Joanne C. Riesterer (Greuel), passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, she was 88 years old.

Joanne was born October 16, 1933, a daughter to Alvin and Irene Greuel. She grew up on their family farm in rural St. Anna. She worked her entire career at Tecumseh in New Holstein. This is where she met Wilfred “Fritz” Riesterer and they were married on July 6, 1955. Together they raised their family of six daughters in rural Collins. Joanne was a lady of few words yet thoroughly enjoyed word puzzles and was quite witty with her ‘play on words’ and rather dry sense of humor. Even in the later stages of her life, she could win a game of Scrabble with ease. Her family thought that she got her sense of humor from her father and affectionately referred to it as ‘Kiel Humor’. She was a wonderful and loving mother who often was the voice of reason. She told them that when she was starting her career, she had just three choices; she could be a nurse, secretary or teacher. She recommended that they should go out into the world and be whatever they wanted to be. She was subtle in her style, yet strong in her messages.

Survivors include five daughters: Sue Cobler, Nancy (Dennis) Schwalbe, Doris (Joe) Miller, Dolores (Greg) Berg, Brenda (Lee) Georgenson; one son-in-law: Gerald Duchow; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, great great great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Teresa Greuel, Rita Greuel; and two brothers-in-law: Alois Riesterer, Anthony (JoAnn) Riesterer. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter: Julianne Duchow; two sons-in-law: Lynwood “Butch” Cobler, Juan Heredia; her unborn grandchildren; her siblings: Vivian (Harvey) Baker, Melvin (MaryEllen), Orville, Glenroy, Oliver and Kathleen Greuel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Matthew (Ernestine), Francis “Shorty” (Juanita), Kate (Robert) Halfmann, Rose (Elroy) Miller, Magdaline (Leo) Steffen, Sandra Riesterer and Maryann (Wayne) Repenshek.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Tom Pomeroy and Rev. Larry Abler. Entombment will take place at Knollwood Mausoleum, Town of Kossuth, at a later date.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. The visitation will continue Monday morning at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Online condolences may be made.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion and Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Joanne’s family would like to thank the staff at Brillion West Haven Assisted Living, who always treated Mom with such great dignity and respect over the last nine years, as dementia left her in such a vulnerable state. Prayers will continue for all of the staff.

We love you Mom… forever and ever, Amen.