STOUGHTON - Jean Elizabeth Thompson Ristau, age 90, of Stoughton, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at Skaalen Heights. She was born on Nov. 21, 1933, in Stoughton, the daughter of Truman and Hazel (Leikness) Skoien and raised by her grandmother, Matilda Skoien.

Jean was united in marriage to Warren Thompson on July 31, 1954. After Warren’s passing, she was united to Robert Ristau on Sept. 29, 2001. She worked in retail for Donna's Fashions for several years. She was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church. Her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ sustained her throughout her lifetime.

Jean was an amazing cook. Everyone loved her cooking and desserts. She was famous for her apple pie. Being very Norwegian, she loved making lefse and taught her family how to make it too. Jean participated in a yearly lutefisk dinner and hosted annual Syttende Mai parties after the parade. She loved having her family over for Sunday dinner after church. Jean enjoyed taking trips to Door County and Arizona with Bob and traveling out east was a favorite vacation. She loved watching shows at The Fireside Dinner Theater and Stoughton Opera House. She enjoyed tea parties with her grandchildren, playing cards, along with watching the Brewers and attending games.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jean (Dick) Lawrence; step-daughters, Nancy (Steve) Holihan, Susan (David) Haugen and Barbara (Jeff) Nees; granddaughters, Gwendolyn (Roger) Myhre-Bartelt, Kimberly (Jim) Overland and Nicole (Matthew) Schreiber; step-granddaughters, Lisa (Brian) Sowls, Julie (Tony) Gerig, Lindsey (Brad) Andrews, Carrie (Andrew) Hayes and Shana (Dan) Caparros; step-grandsons, Andrew (Erin) Haugen, Jeffrey (Mandy) Nees and Bob Holihan; 25 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; half-sister, Shirley Skoien; and half-brothers, Truman (Marcia) Skoien Jr., and Lester Skoien. She was preceded in death by her parents, Truman and Hazel; half-brother, Douglas Skoien; husbands, Robert Ristau and Warren Thompson.

A funeral service will be held at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Burial will be held at Lutheran East Cemetery in Stoughton. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

A special thank you to Jenny and her staff at Skaalen Heights for the incredible care they provided to Jean. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590

Jean Elizabeth Thompson- Ristau

November 21, 1933 - December 31, 2023

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