Violet "Vi" Risch

Violet “Vi” Risch, age 97, of Appleton, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021, in Appleton Area Health-Care Center.  A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Appleton City Cemetery.  Vicar Sarah Larson will officiate.   You’re asked to please bring a lawn chair for the service.

Violet Marion Wekseth was born on December 3, 1923, in her family home in La Crosse, Wisconsin to parents Alice and Nekolai (Nick) Wekseth, the first of three children. As both parents worked outside of the home, Vi and her younger sister Ruthie were raised by their non-English speaking maternal grandmother. Consequently, when the girls first attended public school, they both spoke only Norwegian! She graduated from Onalaska High School in 1941 and then set off for St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Her years at St. Olaf were a wonderfully exciting and impactful time. She became enriched through her studies, through the numerous dear lifelong friends she made while there, and most centrally, through her four years singing in the prestigious St. Olaf Choir (and affiliated ensembles) in the soprano section and as a soloist. It was there she not only honed her own singing talent, but also developed skills for nurturing and developing voice and choir talent in her students. She graduated in 1945 with a B.A. in music education, a proud Ole for life.

Upon graduation, she accepted a position as a music teacher in Appleton, Minnesota where she met Don Risch. They were married on December 1, 1947, and were blessed with four children. Probably due to Vi’s natural disposition, there are also quite a few people who have referred to her as their “second mom”. Of special note are Dianne Ornberg (Strand) and Dietrich Will, who both spent part of their teen years living in the Risch home becoming family. She finally became a grandma in 1994 and pursued that new role with her trademark love and vigor.

Vi Risch was a remarkable human being - not only as a beloved member of our immediate and extended families, but also as a vital member of the Appleton community for 75 years. She touched so many lives and left her mark in making this world a better place.

Vi Risch passed away peacefully, early on Friday morning, February 12, at the Appleton Nursing Home of natural causes. She was 97 years, 2 months, and 9 days of age.  Vi is survived by sons Randy Risch (Rachel Rigenhagen) of Appleton and Richard Risch (Kate Martin) of West St. Paul; son-in-law Sandy Cupples; sister Ruth (Gerry) Yeary and brother Arlan (Virginia) Wekseth; grandsons Mars, Harrison, Reno, Liam, Oslo, and Cyrus; nieces, nephews, and numerous members of the extended family. She was preceded in death by parents, Nekolai and Alice Wekseth; husband, Don Risch (1993); daughter Theresa Christine Cupples (2016) and son Richard Arlan (died at birth).  Blessed be the memory of Violet “Vi” Risch.