Pamela Jean Riese

Pamela "Pam" Jean Riese was welcomed into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on Oct. 28, 2026.

Pam was born on Nov. 11, 1948, in Chicago, to Frederick and Lillian Haack. After graduating from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Ill., she taught first and second grade in Burbank, Calif., where she met Rod, a fellow teacher who would become her husband of 55 years. They started a family in Huntington Beach, Calif., before moving to Wausau in 1981, to accept Rod's call to Trinity Lutheran Church and School.

Trinity became a second home for the family to this day, with Pam and Rod teaching fourth grade together until retirement.

Pam leaves a legacy of service. She devoted her time and care to her children and students, from cheering at countless sporting events to providing hugs in the hallways. At Trinity, she gave back through ringing in the adult handbell choir and coaching girls basketball.

Pam's toughness carried her through the past decade, after beating brain cancer in 2016. Though she suffered from chronic back pain in recent years, her mind remained sharp, keeping up with her grandchildren's activities and often recalling specific students from many decades ago. As a lifelong lover of learning, she always had a book by her side.

Pam was also was a diehard fan of Wisconsin's sports teams. She and Rod enjoyed many Spring Training trips to Arizona to follow the Brewers, who finally won the World Series the day she passed away.

Pam is survived by her husband, Rod; daughters, Amy (Dan) Riese of Toledo, Ohio, and Lindsay (Paul) Erickson of Madison; son, Clint (Heidi) Riese of River Falls; seven beloved grandchildren, Elsa, Anton, and Jonas Gehling, Soren, Linnea, and Vivienne Erickson, and Jordy Riese; and brothers, Loren (Verna) Haack of Lodi, Calif., and Randy (Carri) Haack of Milford, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Roger.

Pam's life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. A graveside service will take place at Stettin Christian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity's Education Grant Fund.