Tom Ristow
By: Burke Griffin
Updated: August 6, 2012
Thomas D. Ristow, 40, De Pere resident, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, in the presence of his family, on Aug. 5, 2012. He was born on Aug. 18, 1971 to Harvey and Irene (Deiss) Ristow in Winneconne, WI. Tom was a 1989 graduate of Winneconne High School; and then attended UW Oshkosh where he received the Outstanding Sports Reporter Award and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio, Television and Film. Tom was a sportscaster for most of his career, working in Wausau, Mobile, Alabama and ending his career in Green Bay, WI with WLUK Fox 11 in 2009. Tom then worked at J.J. Keller and Associates, working in sales. In 2005 he married Megan Knuth in Green Bay. True to his career calling, even in his leisure, Tom enjoyed sports, especially baseball and biking. Tom was an extraordinary father who was very proud of each of his sons. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Megan; three sons, Jack, Will and Charlie; his mother, Irene Ristow, Winneconne; his siblings, Tim (Beth) Ristow, Pickett, WI; Scott (Carmen) Ristow, Winneconne, WI; and Gail (Roland) Bates, Oshkosh; nephews, Zach and Alex Ristow, and Danny and Tommy Bates. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Christopher Knuth, DePere; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Ristow; mother and father-in-law, Wayne and Sheila Knuth.
Friends may call at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. on Wed. from 4 to 7 p.m.; prayer service at 7 p.m.. Visitation will continue on Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church, 2335 S. Webster Ave. from 9 to 11am. Funeral Service 11am at the church with Rev. Peter Speckhard and Rev. Joshua Errer officiating. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the Ristow family at www.prokowall.com.
The Ristow family would like to express a special thank you to Tom's physicians and Unity Hospice, as well as the Griffin, Goebel, Edge, and Dolan families, and all of our wonderful family and friends for their prayers and support. Also a special thank you to Tom's home parish in Winneconne, St. Paul Lutheran, for all of their prayers and support
Visitation: Wednesday Aug 8, 2012, 4 to 7 p.m. at Proko-Wall Funeral Home
Service: Thursday Aug 9, 2012, 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church
Visitation: Thursday Aug 9, 2012, 9 to 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church
