Herman A. Riesterer, age 87, of 414 Roosevelt St., Valders, died Tuesday morning, March 9, 2004, at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc.
Funeral services will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 12, 2004, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, St. Nazianz. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Gregory Coulthard, with burial at the church cemetery.

Herman was born June 21, 1916, in Manitowoc County, son of the late John and Rose (Anhalt) Riesterer. On Dec. 29, 1941, Herman married the former Gertrude Schneider in Chilton. She preceded him in death on Oct. 29, 1987. On Nov. 3, 1990, he married Kathryn (Dondlinger) Knutson at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. Herman was a lifetime member of Catholic Foresters and a member of St. Gregory Catholic Church, St. Nazianz. Herman farmed the family farm on the Riesterer homestead in his early years. Later he was self-employed as a barn whitewasher, better known as ?Hermie the Spritzer.

Survivors include his wife: Kathryn Riesterer, Valders; two sons and two daughters-in-law: Richard and Mary Riesterer, Chilton, Leo and Faye Riesterer, St. Nazianz; three daughters and sons-in-law: Carol and Thomas Waniger, rural Valders, Meg and David Kubesh, Olivia, Minn., Mary and Mark Matthias, rural Manitowoc; a foster son: Art Francis, Milwaukee; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; five stepchildren: Carl (Jean) Knutson, Manitowoc, Kary (Richard) Panke, Darboy, Edwin (Mary) Knutson, Reedsville, Alice (Gary) Koerth, Brillion, David (Colleen) Knutson, Arizona; 10 step grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; three brothers-in-law: Monsignor Alfred Schneider, Manitowoc, Henry Schneider and his wife, Odelia, Hilbert, Herman Woelfel, Chilton; five sisters-in-law: Mae Riesterer, St. Nazianz, Evelyn Riesterer, rural Chilton, Ann Becker, Missouri, Eleanor Woelfel, New Holstein, Evelyn Schneider, Chilton. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.

Herman was also preceded in death by eight brothers, three sisters, numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 6:30 p.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church, St. Nazianz on Friday, March 12, 2004.

The Christianson & Deja Funeral Home and Cremation Care Center, Valders, is assisting the Riesterer family with funeral arrangements.

In his final days a simple prayer request of Herman?s was ?Pray that I have a safe landing. Heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate ground crew at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, CCU unit, 3rd floor staff and pastoral care. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Herring and Dr. Gentile for their steadfast support and for allowing him to soar with dignity and respect.


Herald Times Reporter March 10, 2004