Hedwig G. Riesgraf, 84

Hedwig G. Riesgraf, 84, of Jordan, died on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.

Born in St. Benedict, rural New Prague, on March 24, 1921, she was the daughter of Joseph and Cecilia (Yackley) Deutsch. She was raised on he family farm and attended school in St. Benedict.

Hedwig married Erwin Riesgraf on May 6, 1941, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Besides helping her husband on the farm, Hedwig loved to garden and play cards, especially poker. Her entire life revolved around her husband, Erwin, and their 17 children. In the later years of her life, it was her grandchildren that were the focus of her attention.

Hedwig is survived by sons, Allen (Gerri), Plymouth, John (Lonna), Prior Lake, Gordon (Rose) Stockholm, WI, Richard (Terri) Eagleville, MO, Gary “Buck” (Kim), Brooklyn Center, Paul (Fran), Pepin, WI, David “Sam” (Gail), Belle Plaine, Steve (Karen), Kurt (Lois) and Jeff (Pam) Riesgraf, all of Jordan; daughters, Helen (Al) Schroeder, Lemont, IL, Annie (Bob) Johnson, Belle Plaine, Judy (Tom) Lenhart, Golden Valley, Mary (Kent) Hatch, Minnetrista, Doris (Allen) Pfeiffer, Eau Claire, WI, Jane (Dave) Anderson, Maple Grove, Barb (Kim) Wentworth, Shakopee; brother, Urban (Alice) Deutsch, New Prague; sisters-in-law, Josephine Deutsch, Jordan, Frances Deutsch, California, Odelia Riesgraf, Jordan, Sabina (Gilbert) Blatz, St. Paul, Sister Alda Riesgraf (School Sisters of St. Francis), Campellsport, WI, and Mary Schmitz, Belle Plaine; brother-in-law, Severin “Buddy” (Rosella) Riesgraf, New Prague; 51 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years; parents; sisters, Salesia, Louise, Margaret, Marie; brothers, Werner, Wilfred, Cornelius, Edmund, Herbert.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Rev. Jon Shelley and Rev. John Mitchell officiated.

Pallbearers were her daughters.

Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.