Delores Risler

Heaven gained a beautiful angel as Delores (Dee) M. Risler passed away peacefully, at home, on Feb. 10, 2019, after 84 years of a well-lived life.
Delores was born on Dec. 25, 1934, in the Town of Albion, (Trempealeau County, Wis.), to Simon and Gena (Stone) Knutson. She was the youngest of 10 children.
Despite her mobility obstacles, Mom accomplished many tasks most of us take for granted, and always with a sense of humor. She was rarely without a smile, a laugh, or a good story to share.
Mom’s career began as a live-in nanny, working for a wonderful family. These early skills of caring for a busy household led to her becoming an excellent cook/baker and homemaker.
Mom married the one and only love of her life, Leon (Lee) Risler, on June 4, 1955, at St. James Catholic Church, in Eau Claire, Wis. They raised three children, Vickie, Mike and Karla, and celebrated nearly 64 years of marriage, always putting each other and their family first. Throughout their marriage, they also provided a safe haven for many other children, and donated their services to numerous organizations.
After living briefly throughout Wisconsin, by 1959 Lee and Dee established permanent roots in Eau Claire. In 1969, they launched two businesses together, Lee’s Refrigeration, Inc. and Risler’s Laundromat, both located in Eau Claire, and still family owned today. Mom loved sharing coffee with the customers and assisting them anyway she could.
Mom’s hobbies included playing cards and traveling the country. Lake Tahoe, Nev. was her favorite destination, where she enjoyed the beautiful scenery as much as the casinos. Mom also loved playing Scrabble. She’d often try sneaking in a new word and, when caught, she’d laugh and say, “Well, it should be a word!” She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, reading, watching game shows, and she was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. She loved fishing, bird watching, and country music. Mom also loved hosting “coffee clutches” with relatives, neighbors, her dear friend, Margene, and anyone else that would stop by for a visit.
Last April Mom was ecstatic to finally be blessed with her only great-grandchild, Chloe, Brady and Christine’s daughter. Mom never appeared more serene or regal than when holding Chloe.
Dee is survived and will be forever missed by her loving husband, Leon (Lee); her daughter, Vickie Towry of Eau Claire; son, Mike (Ruth) Risler of Strum; daughter, Karla (Loren) Gorell of Cadott; grandson, Jeremy Sabin/Risler of Eau Claire, grandson Brady (Christine) Ness of Chippewa Falls; great-granddaughter, Chloe Ness of Chippewa Falls; son-in-law, Terry Ness of Chippewa Falls; daughter-in-law, Barb (Miles/Risler) Seward; sister, Dorothy Serum; many brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Gena Knutson; her sisters, Gladys Loomis, Stella Edison, Eldora Karow, Wilma (Rud) Bloom, Lola Johnson; brothers, Wilmer, Hensel and Alvin Knutson; brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Nathaniel Stepp for providing Mom’s medical care during her last years. We’d also like to thank each officer from the Eau Claire Police Dept., who arrived to assist us, as well as the paramedics and the coroner. Each of these individuals proved extremely helpful and compassionate, and handled our grief with great professionalism. We also greatly appreciate the staff of Stokes, Prock & Mundt, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, of Rock Falls, for their dedicated services.
A special thank you goes out to the many friends and family who assisted in caring for Mom, and/or visiting her when she needed it most. We hope you know who you are, as this extends as far back as her early years, as well as to the present. Many of you stayed for hours, days, weeks, (and, in Vickie’s case, years), and Mom, as well as each of us, will never forget your compassion, generosity, love and prayers.
Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 9, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, E9265 State Road 85, Mondovi, Wis.
Please note, the church is located in Rock Falls (on Hwy 85, South of Eau Claire); however, it has a Mondovi postal address. Parking is located in the rear of the church.