Obit: Ringstad, John H. (1926 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ringstad. Anderson, Jones, Levitt, Comte, Thibodaux

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 22 Jan 2015

Ringstad, John H. (11 JAN 1926 – 20 JAN 2015)

John Ringstad, age 89, of Neillsville, WI died Tuesday, January 20, 2015 surrounded by his loving family, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, WI.

John Hunter Ringstad was born on January 11, 1926 in Mount Pleasant, MI the son of Alfred and Margaret (Anderson) Ringstad. When John was about six years old, he and his family moved to his grandfather's farm near Eland, WI. He attended grade school in Norrie, WI and graduated from Wittenberg High School in 1944. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on June 28, 1944 and served in the South Pacific, Pearl Harbor, during World War II. He was discharged from the USMC on August 6, 1946. He attended River Falls State Teacher's College School of Agriculture, where he met his wife-to-be, Marilyn Jones. John and Marilyn united in marriage on December 28, 1949 at the Cylon Methodist Church. John was a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict. In 1951, he graduated from River Falls with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education and Science. He took his first job out of college in August of 1952 as the Veterans on Farm Trainer in Oconto Falls, WI. In December of 1952 received an appointment as the Assistant Co. Supervisor with Farmer's Home Administration, USDA in Viroqua, WI. They lived there until July 15, 1956, when he accepted the position as County Supervisor in Neillsville. In August of 1963 he was appointed to the 3rd Ward Alderman in the City of Neillsville. John was promoted to Rural Housing Specialist headquartered in Stevens Point, WI and assumed duties as the Multi-Family Housing Coordinator. On January 28, 1985, he was reassigned to the district offices in Eau Claire as the acting District Director and later that year as the District Director at Black River Falls, WI. On December 28, 1989, John, retired from Government Services after 40 years of service. In retirement, he formed his own business, Key Consulting as a housing specialist. He worked with communities to provide affordable housing to low income individuals and two apartment buildings were named in his honor in Marshfield, WI and Madison, WI.

John was a member of the United Church of Christ in Neillsville and was a member of the Wilson-Heintz VFW Post 2241 in Neillsville and served on the Military Honors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and ice fishing, woodworking, reading and golfing. He was a social person who enjoyed people and enjoyed life. He always said "I'm a lucky man!"

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, three children, Paula (Bernie) Levitt of Houston, TX, Jill Comte of Oakland, CA and Tom Ringstad of Stoughton, WI, seven grandchildren, Jason Comte, Lauren (Nick) Floyd, Nicole (Matt) Thibodaux, John Ringstad, Jeremy Comte, Adam Ringstad and Michael Ringstad.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James.

Funeral Services for John will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor Jacoba Koppert will officiate. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Norrie, WI with Military Honors conducted by the Wittenberg Bloecher-Johnson American Legion Post #502. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the Church.

Casket Bearers are: Jason Comte, Jeremy Comte, John Ringstad, Adam Ringstad and Michael Ringstad.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting John's family with Funeral arrangements.