Obituary: Ronald R. Reis

Ronald R. Reis, age 86, of Brillion, passed away peacefully December 25, 2022.

Ronald was born on December 9, 1936 in Green Bay, son of the late Raymond and Clara (Tauschek) Blonde. His father passed away before he was born and was adopted by his step-father the late George M. Reis. He attended St. Michael Catholic School in Whitelaw and graduated with the class of 1955 from Valders High School. He went on to attend the UW Farm Short Course in Madison. He was united in marriage to Emily Ann Geiger on September 25, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brillion. The couple enjoyed 65+ years of life, love and hard work and were blessed with eight children. After schooling in Madison, he worked as a DHIA milk tester in Calumet County. From 1962 Ron owned and operated Ron’s Texaco in Reedsville and Ron’s Shell in Two Rivers and worked at various car dealerships, retiring in 2003 from Vanderloop Equipment in Dundas. He was a former member of St. Patrick’s Church in Maple Grove, receiving the St. Patrick’s Parish appreciation award in 1992 and continuing membership into Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion when it was formed. Ron was very active at Holy Family and after retirement he volunteered as caretaker for the building and grounds and as a Choir member. He was a former member of the Reedsville Jaycees, Holy Name Society of Maple Grove and presently is a Charter & Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #5798 of Reedsville, where he served in many officer positions including Financial Secretary and Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard. Ron served the State Council as District Deputy for District 11 and as a Green Bay Diocese membership Coordinator. He was recognized at the 1995 State Convention for his outstanding service as a Knight, Earning the prestigious State Medallion Award for the Green Bay Diocese. Ron enjoyed fishing on Long Lake, camping, playing cards, dancing and listening to Polka Music and the Green Bay Packers.

He is survived by his children: Charles (DeLaine) Reis of Valders, Patricia (Dale) Borchardt of Reedsville, Steven (Dona Nie) Reis of Brillion, Jeffrey (Darla) Reis of Crowley, TX, Kevin (Deborah) Reis of Manitowoc, Ann (Geoffrey) Braden of Kaukauna, Amy (Joey) Eake of Appleton and Terrance (Jodi) Reis of Trinity, FL; Seventeen grandchildren: Kelly (Rob) Engblade, Amanda (David Cookle) Reis, Jacquelyn (Josh) Starr, Jeremy (Clarissa) Reis, Kathryn (Craig) Zuleger, Jill (Abe) Hassemer, Sarah (Shannon) Gilbertson, Jason (Deidre) Reis, Jennifer (Rob Schroth) Reis, Ashley (Dave) Gauger, Tiffany Reis, Dillon (Abby Jeffcoat), Cassandra (Rob) Belter, Alyxandria (Tyler) Schmitt, Mikayla (Hunter) Busse, Rachel Reis, Trevor Reis, Kilyn (Ricky) Salazar, Heath (Caryssa) Van Zandt, Heather (Seth) McNamar, and great grandchildren: Collin Reis, Alyjha, Korey, and Alyvia Bloedorn, Jaxson and Reid Dobrzynski, Trenton and McKenna Reis, Cora, Clara, and Crista Zuleger, Danielle, Amber and Henry Hassemer, Savannah, Addison, and Lilly Reis, Grayson, Gabriella and Gage Vogt, Amelia and Eloise Gauger, Ava and Evelyn Reis, Oden and Nash Belter, Michael and Zackary Schmitt, Salem, Silas Van Zandt, and Abby and Daniel Cookle. He is further survived by his sisters: Janice Rahn, Janet Miller, Claire Dietrich and Helen (Len) Fox; brothers–in-law: John Geiger, Vernon (Pam) Geiger, Raphael (Maxine) Geiger and sisters-in-law: Mary Lois Huybers and Judy Reis. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Emily, his parents George and Clara Reis, his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Peter P. and Mary Agnes Geiger, a sister: Patricia Blonde, brothers: Richard Reis and Jerome Reis, brothers-in-law: Raymond Sheahan, Willie Rahn, Arnold Miller, Richard Geiger, Peter T. Geiger, Simon Geiger, Leo Dietrich, and Floyd Geiger and sisters-in-law: Geraldine Gabres, Peg Geiger and Leona Geiger.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Tom Pomeroy, Rev. Richard Klingeisen and Deacon Mark Knipp with burial at Holy Family Cemetery, Brillion.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Holy Family Catholic Church, Brillion, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022. To conclude the visitation, a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Rosary Service will be held before the vigil service led by Deacon Steve Letourneaux. The visitation will continue Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. also at church.

Ron’s Family would also like to thank the staff and nurses at Garrow Villa for their compassionate care for Ron/Dad/Grandpa the past three months. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.