Thomas J Ritzinger Jr., 59, of Rice Lake, WI, left for an eternity of hunting and fishing on July 20, 2024 following a 2.5 year battle with cancer. Born on Dec. 1, 1964 to Thomas Sr. and Mary (Fredrickson) Ritzinger, “Ritzy” graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1983 and WITC in 1985.

He worked for several area businesses and manufacturers including Cas’ Men’s Wear, 3M and Southlake Motors. In 1991 he used his power of persuasion to convince Barb Brown to join him in marriage. An avid outdoorsman, Tom loved hunting, fishing, trapping and camping. Some of his most memorable experiences included several Canadian fishing adventures, a successful bobcat hunt, and most recently a final opportunity to bear hunt with the Field of Dreams Hunt Program. Other favorite activities included maintaining contact with friends and family via visits, phone calls and social media; camping and building epic campfires; spending time at the lake lot; delighting children in his role as Santa; 30+ years of curling and teaching others the sport; schooling friends and family in cribbage; and teaching exchange students about northern WI customs. Volunteer activities Tom was known for included mentoring youth with Kinship and serving on the UWBC Foundation board of directors, Rice Lake Curling Club board of directors, and several years on the Rice Lake Fire Department. Fundraising was his forte, and no one was safe from his raffle ticket sales tactics.

Survivors include wife Barb, sons Ian Ritzinger (Lyndsey Strandberg) of Denver, CO and Aidan Ritzinger of Rice Lake; sisters Martha (Peter) Gallagher and Julie Miloszewicz of Rice Lake, brothers- and sisters-in-law Steve Brown (Unity), Tom & Sue Brown (Hartford), Larry Brown (Wausau), Donna Brown (White Bear Lake, MN), Pat & Jodi Brown (West Bend), Jeff & Cheryl Brown (St. Cloud, MN), Mary Beth & David Erfert (Hamilton, MT), Carol & John Staab (Dorchester) and Rob & Maggie Brown (Marshfield), many cousins, nieces and nephews, and his constant companions, dogs Chester and Phoebe. Predeceased by his father at a very young age, Tom considered many to be “bonus” parents who contributed mightily to his upbring, including Dick and Re Brekke, Charlie and Juanita Peterson, Owen and Roxy Anderson, and many others in the Hiawatha Park community of his childhood.

Additionally, he was predeceased by his mother, paternal grandparents Louie and Jessie Ritzinger, maternal grandparents Lloyd and Florence Fredrickson, in-laws Edward and Virginia Brown, brother-in-law Casimir Miloszewicz, and sisters-in-law Patti Brown and Karen Brown. Tom’s family thanks all those who visited and reached out to Tom to share stories and memories. He was given the gift of a “best-by” date and he took the opportunity to share his final weeks with those closest to him. Thanks also to niece Angela Dockendorf for her compassionate caretaking assistance, the Marshfield Clinic Health Systems Hospice team for keeping Tom comfortable, and Jamie Jacobson for his chemo treatment companionship and daily visits during hospice care.

A celebration of life will be held at UWEC-Barron County Commons (1800 College Dr, Rice Lake) on Sunday, July 28, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kinship of Rice Lake & Cameron (or mentoring a child!), UWECBC Foundation, or Field of Dreams Hunt Program in Tom’s memory.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is assisting and serving the family with the arrangements.

Last Update: Jul 24, 2024 2:20 pm CDT