Obit: Riese, Laura Mary (Weix) (1930 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Riese, Tamborino, Weix, Langteau, Ploeckelman, Kops, Underwood, Dittner, Schnabel, Carpenter, Kilty, Weis, Redfern

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 1/31/2021

Riese, Laura Mary (Weix) (28 November 1930 – 30 January 2021)

Laura Mary Riese (Weix), 90, of Colby, passed away on January 30, 2021 with her children at her side under the care of her daughters Beth and Christine along with Ascension Hospice.

Laura was born on November 28, 1930, the seventh of eleven children born to Martin and Mary (Tamborino) Weix. She met the love of her life, Leonard Riese, at a local dance. She must have known he was “the one” from the beginning. Even though he stood her up on their first official date, she gave him a second chance and they were married on August 4, 1954. Together they shared a life of love, laughter and adventures for 55 years until Leonard passed away in October of 2009. Many of those years were spent on their farm in rural Unity, where Laura would finish the remaining morning chores after Lennie left for work in Marshfield.

Laura’s work ethic was likely instilled at an early age on the family farm. Her hands were seldom idle. When chores and house work were done, there were knitting, sewing and gardening projects to fill the hours. More than once, she said her favorite job was stacking wood. It was the sense of accomplishment seeing the even stack, piled high, at the end of the day. She was the go-to person for family and friends if a jacket or jeans needed mending. Laura could be described as a determined woman; however, her husband and children might use another adjective (possibly stubborn?). Laura enjoyed being active. She was a 9 a.m. regular at the local fitness gym. Her family has many fond memories of camping, fishing and late summer trips to Door County to pick cherries. She often entertained them with stories of working during cherry picking season in her youth.

Even in retirement, Laura was often hard to find at home, as she would be volunteering at the Colby Library or with the American Legion Pancake Breakfasts. When at home she could often be found sewing another quilt. There has been much speculation among the family as to just how many quilts found their way to patients at the Hospital, or the patriotic themed ones to a veteran she had met. The consensus is well over 200. During her last hospital stay, staff members relayed how honored they were to care for the woman responsible for sharing so much love.

Laura raised her children to believe that faith and family were the most valuable treasures in life. She enjoyed having her family gather together. Many a holiday was spent with plentiful food and general good times. Summer gatherings often included water fights. Laura found great pleasure in teaching the grandchildren the finer points of drenching their parents and cousins.

Laura was a member of St. Mary’s Church, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Unity American Legion Auxiliary, and a former member of Brighton Homemakers Club.

Laura leaves a legacy of love to her children: Beth Langteau of Marshfield, Linda (David) Ploeckelman of Irma, Arnold (Sharon) Riese of Unity, Chris (Mike) Kops of Abbotsford and Amy (LeRoy) Underwood of Unity. 19 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and another great-grandchild soon to be born. She is further survived by 2 sisters Mary Helen (Norbert) Dittner of Marshfield and Rita (Donald) Schnabel of Gilman; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters Patricia (Frank) Carpenter, Irma (Lyle) Kilty and Mary Ann (LaVern “Pat”) Weis and 5 brothers Henry Weix, Alphonse Weix, Leonard Weix, Paul Weix and Leo Weix.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Saint Mary Help of Christians Catholic Parish in Colby. Father Joseph Redfern will officiate. Interment to follow at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3 at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and from 11:00 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the church. Family and friends can watch the service live on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website.

We encourage those in attendance to abide by the Covid-19 guidelines by sanitizing, wearing a mask (if able) and social distancing.

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