Surnames: Arneson, Erickson, McCumber, Meier, Otto, Pierson, Pylkas, Risberg, Welch

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, August 25, 2011, online edition

Meier, Ronald Risberg (January 4, 1930 - August 12, 2011)

Ronald Risberg Meier, 81, Spirit, died on Friday, Aug. 12, following declining health. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. at High Point Village in the Town of Hill.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Dallmann-Kniewel Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake assisted the family with arrangements.

Ronald Meier was born on January 4, 1930 on the Meier family homestead in the Town of Spirit, to the late Roy and Helen (Risberg) Meier.

He attended Liberty Grade School, was a 1947 graduate of Rib Lake High School, and graduated in 1951 from the farm short course program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was drafted into the United States Army and served from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War and achieved the rank of sergeant.

On July 2, 1955 at Spirit United Methodist Church, he married LaVonne Arlene McCumber, who survives. He owned and operated Meier's Meadows Dairy Farm for 38 years and also did logging.

He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and past board member; member of the Spirit American Legion Post No. 452 for 58 years where he served as commander and adjutant; served on the Price Electric Board for 11 years; past committee member of the USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service; was a 4-H leader for over 40 years and superintendent of Spirit-Hill 4-H Fair for 30 years; was president of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Heights Credit Union for six years; past secretary for 30 years for the Aid Association for Lutherans; was very involved with the development of the Spirit Memorial Park; director of German Settlement History, Inc.; an alumni of UW-Madison; current chairman of the Price County Veterans Service Office committee; member of the Hillcrest Cemetery board; and member of the Tree Farmers of America. He enjoyed reading, traveling, geography, visiting relatives and friends, researching history, tree farming, nature and the outdoors.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Becky (Paul) Otto of Stevens Point and Dawn (partner Pam Welch) Meier of Spirit; two brothers, Arne of Milwaukee and Gene (Marie) of Spirit; two sisters, Marilyn Erickson of Prentice and Marie (Marvin) Arneson of Ogema; a son-in-law, Darrell (Cheryl) Pierson of Spirit; a sister-in-law, Clare Meier of Spirit; four grandchildren, Julie (Eric) Pylkas of Fond du Lac, Laura Otto of Wausau, Courtney Pierson of Spirit and Rachel Otto of Madison; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Vicki Pierson; a brother, Wesley; and a brother-in-law, Eugene Erickson.

Memorials in his honor may be given to Camp American Legion, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Spirit or German Settlement History, Inc.