Mary Edith Risch (nee Zangl), age 79 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love and memories, surrounded by her family.
She was born on June 8, 1946, in Antigo, Wisconsin to Reinhold and Leona (nee Prehn) Zangl. Mary graduated from Antigo High School and, eager for adventure, set off for the big city of Milwaukee alongside her best friend, Kathy. While working at St. Regis Paper Company, she met the love of her life, Randy, on a blind date arranged by a coworker, his brother Jack. She was quickly charmed by his swagger — and perhaps just as much by his 1966 T-Bird Convertible. The two were married in 1970 and began their life together with a memorable honeymoon spent sleeping in a tent near Blue Lake in Minocqua, Wisconsin — a story that would be fondly remembered for years to come. Together, Mary and Randy built a loving home and raised their two children, Scott and Angie, sharing 55 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and partnership.
Mary was known as the best seamstress around — never one to say no to anyone who needed something hemmed, patched, or lovingly made from fabric. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and took pride in tackling projects of all kinds, from gardening to using tools and building with her hands. Mary enjoyed woodworking, creating birdhouses and furniture pieces, and even excelled at metalcraft and crafting home and cabin décor. She was famous among family and friends for her love of puzzles and completed them with remarkable speed and determination. A true romantic at heart, Mary loved watching Hallmark and Lifetime movies and could rarely put down a good romance novel. When she was drawn into the title industry by the same brother-in-law that first introduced her to Randy, she found yet another way to fulfill her desire to be useful and productive for nearly 30 years at Land Title.
The honeymoon trip to Blue Lake sparked a lifelong love of Minocqua, and what began as a simple honeymoon adventure grew into a cherished family tradition = “Lake Life” summers. For years they returned to Crystal Shore Resort in Minocqua, then spent a couple decades of summers on Nagawicka Lake and over 30 summers on Big Cedar Lake (Timmer’s Resort) – creating countless memories filled with laughter, relaxation, making new friends and spending time together. Mary made sure Scott and Angie experienced other types of adventures besides water skiing and tubing down the Wolf River in White Lake, like snow skiing and traveling across the states – her sense of adventure and love of life lives on through them today.
Mary is survived by her husband Randy of Milwaukee, son Scott (Becki) Risch of Colgate and daughter Angie (Joe) Keckeisen of Colgate, her sister-in-law Joann Zangl of Shelton, WA, sister Alice Zangl of Antigo, brother Laurence (Laurie) Zangl of Sussex, brother-in-law Jack (Gwen Smaglik) Risch of Delafield, grandson Gunnar Keckeisen of Colgate, and many loving cousins, first cousins once-removed (iykyk), nieces, nephews and friends who felt like family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Reinhold and Leona Zangl of Antigo, in-laws Richard (Dick) and Alyce Risch of Glendale, brother Harold Zangl of Shelton, WA, brother Phil and wife Barb Zangl of West Bend, sister-in-laws Bev Zangl of Sussex and Joan Borgen of Milwaukee.
In keeping with Mary’s wishes, no formal funeral services will be held; however, a gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate and honor Mary’s beautiful and creative life. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Humane Society in honor of her love of animals, or donations for pancreatic cancer research to help others survive this devastating disease, would be appreciated.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to the compassionate team at Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon, whose kindness, gentleness, and unwavering care brought comfort, dignity, and peace to Mary in her final days.
