Richard "Rick" Allen Riesenberg

Richard "Rick" Allen Riesenberg age 79, of Saint James, MN died on January 13, 2025, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in Saint James.

Memorial service will be held at the First Lutheran Church, St. James, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 11:00 am. Visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to service.

Military rites provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard.

A private interment will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery, St. James.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James, MN.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Rick was born on April 23, 1945 to Anton "Tony" and Aldine (Foley) Riesenberg in St. James, MN. He grew up on the family farm, 3 miles north of St. James. He attended the St. James Catholic School and graduated in 1963 at the St. James High School.  Rick participated and was on the wrestling team in high school. As a young man, Rick enjoyed farming the land, working with the farm animals, helping out neighbors with their farm work, and trapping mink and muskrats. He grew up in a household with seven siblings and was always playing pranks and entertaining his brothers and sisters. Rick served in the US Army from 1965 -1968, spending one year in Vietnam.  When he returned home, he worked for Farm Service, the St. James Bottling Company, the Bowling Alley, and Scherr-Tumico. In 1970, he began his life long career as a bartender working for Vince Style at the Band Box. Rick loved people and making them laugh. For the next 40 years, Rick worked at a job he loved. He also bartended at the Square Deal, VJ's in Truman, and the Lewisville Liquor Store.  Rick became known as the best bartender around, always playing pranks and telling jokes to all his friends and customers. He loved to have fun!

Rick was a kind and caring man with a heart of gold. He was always there to help someone when they were down and out, needed a few dollars, and loved to visit with or help the elderly. He loved children and for many years dressed up and played Santa Claus for his friends' children. He was a loving partner, father, grandpa, son, brother, and friend. Rick enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, fishing, camping, reading, and socializing with friends.

Rick was a member of the St. James VFW Post 1914, St. James American Legion Post 33, and the Lewisville American Legion Post 561. He also attended AA for several years, attaining 33 years of sobriety.

Rick is survived and will be sadly missed by his life long best friend and caregiver, Shirley Knudson; her children, Nikki (Berzes) Knudson-Dalal of Richfield, MN, Mike Knudson of St. James, MN; grandsons, Drew and Shane Dalal; sisters, Michelle Engelby of Madelia, MN, Pamela (James) Kietzer of Vernon Center, MN; brothers, James Riesenberg of Plymouth, WI, Gary and Kevin Riesenberg of Minneapolis, MN; several nieces and nephews, and his beloved little Pomeranian, Cubby.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Aldine Riesenberg; brothers, John and William Riesenberg.