William J. “Bill” Rissman, age 90, of rural Preston, Minn., died Saturday morning, November 26, 2011, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.

     Bill was born August 8, 1921, in Waterman, Illinois, the son of John and Emma (Podalski) Rissman.  He was baptized September 4, 1921, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hinckley, Ill.  He attended Immanuel Lutheran grade school in Hinckley and was a graduate of the high school in Waterman.  He then attended Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.  He married Lois S. Thorp of Somonauk , Ill., October 15, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Somonauk.  He farmed most of his life in Somonauk and Hinckley, Ill., before moving to rural Preston where he continued  farming and specialized in beef cattle.  Prior to that he had worked in bank accounting. 

     Bill had been a member of the Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Bureau for many years and served as Treasurer for a number of years.  He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Preston serving in various capacities, one of which was teaching Senior Citizen’s Bible Class and was also a mentor for youth confirmation.  He was a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hinckley where he was in the church choir, a youth leader, a men’s Bible class teacher and was involved with the parochial school in various ways.

     Bill is survived by three children, Karen (Rev. William) Schreiber of Enon, Ohio, Rev. Kal (Deb) Rissman of Alexandria, Indiana, and Kevin (Holly) Rissman of West Concord, Minn., eight grandchildren, Joshua (Julie) Schreiber, Jerusha (Eric) Lorenz, Jeb (Lisa) Schreiber, Jon Schreiber, Clint Rissman, Kaleen (Mike) Harmon, Krista Rissman and Caleb Rissman; five great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; and special friend, Katherine Baie of Hinckley, Ill.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; one great-grandson; parents, Emma and John Rissman; three brothers, Ervin, Harold and Karl Rissman; and four sisters, Meta Lietz, Hilda Krieg, Vera Lietz and Lois Hesterberg.

     The funeral will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 2, 2011, at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston with Rev Dave Jore and members of  Bill’s family co-officiating.  Burial will be in the Fountain Lutheran Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston, Thursday, 5-8:00 p.m., and at the church on Friday an hour before the service.