Roger Riechers
February 09, 1950 - June 25, 2016
Obituary
Roger L. “Rebel” Riechers, age 66, of Belmont, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016, due to a long valiant battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 at St. Philomena Catholic Church, Belmont. Burial will be at the Belmont Cemetery. Immediately following the burial, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Sport's Page, Belmont. Friends may call from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Roger L. “Rebel” Riechers Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.
Rebel was born the third child of Gilbert and Marian (Armstrong) Riechers, on February 9, 1950, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. He attended elementary school at the Vickers Country School and graduated from Belmont High School, class of 1968.
On June 2, 1973, Rebel married Kathleen Mersch at St. Peter's Catholic Church, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Together they raised three children: Renee, Kami, and Wesley.
He owned and operated Rebel's Ranch in Belmont for 23 years and then owned and operated Rebel's Northern Exposure, in Livingston, WI for 18 years. They recently sold the business in April of this year. His passion for meeting people and making them feel welcomed was a true gift.
Rebel was able to spend many enjoyable hours watching the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, and Wisconsin Badgers. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, Thursday Winter golfing, and spending time with his family and friends.
Rebel was a member of the Belmont Fire Department and Grant & Iowa County Tavern League and also sponsored many area sporting teams.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy of Belmont, WI; and his mother, Marian Riechers of Belmont; daughters, Renee (Steve) Linscheid, of Cobb, WI; Kami (Marc) Studer, of Marshall, WI; son, Wesley (Diana) Riechers of Elkhorn, WI; grandchildren, Lauren, Elyse, Cade, Levi, Colton, Maddox, and Macy. He is survived by his brothers, Terry (Diane Lee), Gilbert (Martha) and Tom “Otie” (Kelly); sister, Marilyn (Jerry) Schliem; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret Bennett, Sandra Mersch, John (Jean) Mersch, and Charles (Mary) Mersch. He is further survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many dear relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Gilbert Riechers; father and mother- in-law, John and Eleanor Mersch; brother, Robert Riechers; and brothers-in-law, Joseph Mersch and Arthur Bennett.