Beverly Jane Riley

Beverly Jane Riley, 95, went to Heaven on November 8, 2019.

She was born in the township of Burns, La Crosse County, Wisconsin on May 25, 1924 to Edwin and Malinda (Pfaff) Kirchner. She was baptized in infancy and later confirmed in her Christian faith. At the age of one, she moved with her family to Sparta. She graduated from St. John’s Lutheran Elementary School and Sparta High School.

On May 17, 1947, she was united in marriage with Leslie L. Riley at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sparta, and their union was blessed with a son Jon and daughter Jane. She again joins her husband who preceded her in death on August 1, 1980.

Bev worked at several businesses in the Sparta community in the years before becoming a stay-at-home mom, and again after her husband’s death. She was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and an active member of the Ladies Aid. In addition, she enjoyed volunteer work at Sparta’s museum and nursing home. In her retirement, she has resided in the Eagle Crest Senior Living Community in Onalaska. Her favorite pastimes were attending her great-grandkid’s school events, watching the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers, golfing, playing cards with her many friends, and baking cookies, cakes and other goodies.

She was very devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and her faith which was always foremost in the way she lived her life.

We will miss you Mom.

She leaves behind her son Jon (Shari) of Onalaska, her daughter Jane (Jon) Feist of La Crosse; three grandchildren Jason (Angie) Riley, Joshua (Sarah) Riley, and Justin (Shannon) Riley; eleven great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Benjamin, Triston, Nathan, Drew, Jackson, Tyson, Brielle, Zachary, and two twins soon arriving, Riley; three step grandchildren Kristen (Larry) Geronsin, Carolyn Feist, Daniel (Erika) Feist; three step great-grandchildren, Sydne Blahnik and Preston Geronsin , and Oscar Feist. She is also survived by her sister Elaine Rudkin and her family and a sister-in-law Carolyn Riley and her family and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday November 14 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in La Crosse with Pastor David Leistekow officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until the time of service at the church. A private family burial will follow at the St. John’s Lutheran church cemetery in Sparta. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Luther High School in Onalaska, WI.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3

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