John V Rischette

John V. Rischette, 93, of Tomah, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Tomah Health Hospital. He was born March 11, 1926, in Tomah to William and Julia (Schober) Rischette. On September 29, 1948, he married the love of his life, Muriel Giraud, in Tomah.

John was a graduate of Tomah High School, Class of 1944. He proudly served his country in the US Navy and then went on to work various jobs at Red Owl, the US Post Office, and as a farmer, before working for the Tomah VA Medical Center for over 30 years. John was a member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church at Ridgeville as well as the American Legion Post #201, the VFW Post 1382, and AARP.

John was definitely a people person and he enjoyed talking to anyone about anything. While Muriel was alive, John and Muriel enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. John especially loved children, and they loved him, drawn in by his facial expressions and “clicks”. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed telling stories, and was always curious to learn new things. Later in life, John enjoyed traveling with his family, such as going to Italy to see his granddaughter graduate from college. John loved his family and they will miss him dearly.

Surviving are their children, Jeffrey (Sue) Rischette of Tomah, WI, and Stephen (Christine) Rischette of Houston, MN; grandchildren, Erin (Adam) Draeger of Aurora, CO; Melissa Rischette of Darien, GA; Leigh (Luke) Korneta of Houston, MN; and Dru Rischette of Houston, MN; great-grandchildren, Laila, Hannah, Julia, Raven, Dante, Anna, and Jayden; brother-in-law, Eugene Fisher of Tomah, WI; sisters-in-law, Norma Jean Rischette of Tomah, WI, and Margaret “Peg” Giraud of Sparta, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Muriel, John was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters, Ann (Martin) Trute, Elizabeth “Liz” (Ralph) Otto, Sylvester “Purp” (Jeannette) Rischette, Margaret “Mugs” (Corlis) Behrens, Peter Rischette, James “Jim” (Norma Jean) Rischette, Veronica “Fronie” (Eugene) Fisher, infant brothers Anthony and Francis; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, January 23, 2020, 11:00 A.M. at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah. Pastor Bob Gerke will officiate. John will be laid to rest at Mount Vernon Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by American Legion Post #201. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9:00 A.M. until time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.