Lois Y. (Welch) Ristau

Lois Y. Ristau, 96, of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2020, at Angelhaus North in Aberdeen.

A private family graveside committal service will take place at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2020, at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen, with Pastor Bret Bierman officiating.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Public visitation will be 2-4 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary.

Family and friends may sign Lois’ online guestbook and also view her committal service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Memorials are preferred by the family.

Lois Y. Welch was born August 6, 1923, on a farm near Brentford, SD to Oscar and Nina (Williams) Welch.  She and her family moved to rural Mellette near Armadale Park in 1927, where she attended first through third grade at Dunker School.  The family then relocated to a farm in rural Mansfield, SD and Lois attended school at Rondell 27-7 until the 6th grade.  She completed her education in Warner, SD and graduated from Warner High School with the Class of 1941.  Following high school graduation, Lois did housework for several different families until she moved with her family to Aberdeen.  While living in Aberdeen, she worked at S.S. Kresge Company and S & L Company.

Lois was united in marriage to Donald Ristau in 1945.  The couple lived on the Dahme Homestead until 1951.  They then moved to Donald’s home place and lived in a basement house until 1958, when they built their own home.  Lois and Don raised five children and shared 51 years together before he passed away on October 24, 1996.  

Lois was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was involved in St. John’s Ladies Aide.  She was also an active 47-year member of American Legion Auxiliary Post #289 of Mansfield.  Lois enjoyed dancing and taught all her children to dance.  She also enjoyed gambling and traveling to casinos with her friends.

Grateful for sharing in Lois’ life are her children:  Linda (Joe) Torrence of Northville, SD,  Lana Ristau of Norman, OK,  Debra (Art) Robinson of Palmer, AK, Bryan (Lynda) Ristau of Tampa Bay, FL and Chad Ristau of Mansfield; one brother, William Welch of Oracle, AZ; 11 Grandchildren; 18 Great-Grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren, with another on the way.  

Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents, Oscar and Nina; and her brothers, Robert and Duane. 

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