Richard C. "Rich" Wisden

OREGON - It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic and sudden passing of Richard “Rich” Wisden, age 67, and Kim (Swenson) Wisden, age 57. Together in life and inseparable in spirit, Rich and Kim passed away following a single-car accident on July 5, 2026.

Rich was born in Madison, WI on May 23, 1959, to Richard “Dick” Wisden and Kathleen (Linderud) Wisden, and would become the oldest brother to two younger siblings, Dale and Margaret (Maggie). The family of five lived in Stoughton, WI for their entire childhood.

After tragically losing his father at the age of 12, Rich learned the importance of family, community, and hard work; these would be the themes that would continue to carry him throughout life.

Rich’s first job was running a paper route for the Capital Times and Wisconsin State Journal newspapers. His commitment to his early morning route along with his youthful charisma made him a favorite of the neighborhood. This job also allowed him to save up enough to buy his first motorcycle - a hobby and passion that stayed with him through life. On any given evening, there was a chance you’d see him scrolling through motorcycle magazines.

Rich worked at the Country Boy Dairy and Alpenrose Dairy throughout high school, where he was often more committed to bringing home a paycheck than studying; his mother often threatening to call into the dairy to cut back his hours if he didn’t get his grades up.

Rich “Richie” graduated from Stoughton High School in 1977 but would stay connected to Stoughton throughout his entire life.

After high school, Rich went to work at Roger’s IGA grocery store, Super Value, and Pierce’s where he quickly was their Meat Managers. In 1982, while working as a butcher at 22, an alligator broke into the meat room, forcing Rich to wrestle him for his life, winning the battle but losing a finger in the process. At least that’s one of the stories he told.

In 1989, with the support of his then girlfriend and first wife, Phyllis (McGrane), Rich had the choice to either move to Milwaukee to become a manager at a local grocer or take the leap into business ownership and purchase R&R Meats. The choice was obvious and Rich bought his first butcher shop which would lead to JL Richards in 1994. Rich and Phyllis had two children together, Olivia and Elizabeth Wisden.

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Kim was born in Madison, WI on February 26, 1969, to Clarence “Sonny” Swenson and Donna Swenson (Jorgensen), the third child of four in a blended family. The family of six lived in Oregon, WI their entire childhood.

Kim’s childhood was filled with laughter, play, and enjoying the outdoors. She was an avid barrel racer alongside her sister, Diane, which would include getting glammed up but also mucking stalls. In the summer, she swam in her family’s swimming pool with all of the neighborhood kids and worked picking strawberries at Carandale Farm.

This combination of glam, barefoot nights, and laughter with friends was with Kim throughout her entire life. While in their Florida home, on any given morning you could find Kim talking to her birds, cup of coffee in hand, hosting friends and family by the pool.

Throughout high school and after graduation, Kim waitressed at the Waterfall Restaurant in Oregon where she quickly learned the names and lives of all of the regulars. This experience would shape her understanding of customer service - she always understood the impact that a warm smile and genuine “How’s your day?” could make on someone. Customers were not simply customers, but friends.

Kim graduated from Oregon High School in 1987, where she met her first husband, Ray Leslie. Together, Kim and Ray had two children, Ashlee and Bradley Leslie.

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Rich and Kim met at JL Richards in 1996 and in 2004 they were married, forming a blended family of six.

With Rich’s incredible work ethic and Kim’s gift for customer service, JL Richards aka “The Shop” along with the couple became important pillars of the community. Together they became the go-tos for daily lunches and dinners for families, high schoolers, construction workers, polices and firemen, and everyone in between. They catered people’s happiest and most devastating moments; graduations, birthdays, weddings, holiday parties, anniversaries, and funerals.

They supported endless local organizations, often through donations of hot meals: The Lion’s Club, VFW, The Special Olympics, Little Leagues, Stoughton Norwegian Dancers, MIS Racing, Oregon Bowl Leagues, and many more. They became many of the community's first employer, passing along their values of hard work, generous customer service, but also play.

Kim and Rich’s lives were filled. Filled with friends. Filled with family. Filled with work. Filled with games. Filled with love. And above all else, filled with laughter. To know Rich and Kim was to know a loud boisterous house, cracking jokes, playing cards or dice, continuing years long bits, and welcoming new friends.

Beyond JL Richards, Kim found passion in her “Second Job” as a beloved crossing guard for Oregon School District and as “Meema” to her two grandchildren, Easton and Bryant Kojo. Rain or shine, she greeted the children with a bright smile, ensuring their safety with the same maternal care she extended to everyone she met. As Meema, she was the fun grandparent, teaching the boys to drive a golf cart out on the back pasture and taking them on solo trips to Florida.

Rich had two passions throughout life: cars and Wisconsin sports. After watching Kim’s late brother, Kevin, drag race, race day became sacred. For many years, you could find Rich and Kim on the track, often racing one another (with Kim mostly winning, much to the joy/frustration of Rich). When it came to sports, if it was Wisconsin, Rich was a fan. But the Green Bay Packers held a special place in his heart. On game days, you would find Rich pacing in front of the TV, phone in hand talking to his brother Dale aka "Oafie Boy.”

To our parents. Thank you for teaching us the importance of working hard and playing just as hard. To “kill them with kindness" and to always laugh at our own jokes. Thank you for being the most outstanding Meema and Papa. We love you. Ash-o-lee, Brad-man, GG, Goon, E-man and Bry-Bry.

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Rich and Kim are survived by their children, Olivia Wisden “GG” (Michael Major), Elizabeth “Goon” Wisden, Ashlee “Ash-o-lee” Kojo-Leslie (Curtis Sheldon), and Bradley “Brad Man” Leslie; their grandchildren, Easton “E-Man” Kojo and Bryant “Bry-Bry” Kojo; their siblings, Margaret (Phil) Flor, Dale (Theresa) Wisden, Diane (Bob) Kelly, and Dean (Michelle) Swenson; their nieces, Crystal McCann, Kelsey McCann, Hannah Wisden, and Tori Swenson. They were preceded in death by Rich’s parents, Richard “Dick” Wisden and Kathleen (Linderud) Wisden; Rich’s nephew, Marty McCann; Kim’s parents, Clarence “Sonny” Swenson and Donna Swenson; and Kim’s brother, Kevin Swenson.

A joint visitation will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, 12 noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, you can show your support by donating to the Special Olympics Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515