Paul James Risch

1946-2025

Paul James Risch, 78, of Abbotsford, formerly of Stetsonville, died Monday, March 3, 2025 at his home while under the care of Aspirus Hospice.

Paul was born June 13, 1946 in a tar paper shack in the town of Goodrich to Albert and Veronica (Votava) Risch. He graduated from Athens High School in 1964.

He was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps., but was then given the choice of which branch of service he wanted to be in, and he chose the U.S. Navy. He served during Vietnam on two different war ships where he was a radioman, from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1969.

On Sept. 13, 1969, Paul married Fay Audrey Lemke. They owned and operated a dairy farm in Stetsonville with 100 head of livestock for 30 years.

He enjoyed watching and studying birds. He did two 10-year bird breeding surveys for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one in Taylor County and one in Price County. He participated in many bird counts with the Chequamegon Bird Club of Medford. For 10 years, he also wrote newsletters about birds which were sent to hundreds of people and were about 2,000 words long give or take. He was known as a skilled amateur ornithologist.

Paul was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford. He read his Bible daily and was devoted to his faith. He befriended the Amish communities in Taylor, Marathon, and Clark Counties. He was proud of his collection of firearms and enjoyed hunting in many states, including Wisconsin. When farming, he established and monitored a blue bird trail for many years northwest of Medford. He and his fellow birders built hundreds of blue bird boxes together. He and his wife had many hobbies together. They liked to collect antiques of all kinds, birdwatching, and the study of wildflowers; in later years when his health was failing, they did many jigsaw puzzles together in the evenings.

He is survived by his wife, Fay; son, Chris (Jenni); daughter, Carrie (Mike); grandchildren, Cameron and Cheyenne (Will); siblings, Virginia, Loretta, Rebecca, Lynette, Connie, Romana, Linus, Nick, Patrick, Dan, Randy, and Tim; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Leonard; and a sister, Bernadette.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford with Rev. David Spaude officiating.

Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service at 2 p.m.

Memorials are appreciated and may go to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family.

Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 165830