James Gordon Riedi

James “Jim” Riedi, 87, passed away peacefully at home October 7, 2023 surrounded by family.

He is the son of the late Matthew and Anna (Kinderman) Riedi and was born on July 13, 1936 in De Pere, Wisconsin.

After graduating from St. Norbert High School, he worked for Sears Roebuck and Company and was drafted into the US Army. He served from 1959 until being officially discharged in 1965. While being stationed in California, he met and married his future wife, Linda. They were married for 55 years before she passed in 2017. After returning home from the service, he took over the family business that his father started, Riedi Hearing Aid Service. Jim worked the hearing aid business for over 45 years before his son, Matt took over and continues the business today. Together, this tradition has over 75 years in the sales and service of hearing aids. Jim was also a paid on-call fireman with the De Pere Fire Department for 40 years.

Jim liked to fish, hunt and go to his cabin “up north”. He loved to sit on the swing overlooking the lake, sit on the dock soaking up the sun, or just sitting on the back porch watching his sprinkler system work its magic on his lawn. He also enjoyed watching the birds coming and going from his feeders. He was very proud of his eight children. He was known to give advice and struggled to “let go” when his advice was not followed. Jim was a faithful catholic and very seldom missed daily mass. When at the cabin, he stopped whatever he was doing to get to church on time.

Jim is survived by his children; Matt (Roberta) Riedi, Michelle (Mike) Baumgartner, Mark (Carrie) Riedi, Becky (Jerry) Lambrecht, John (Norine) Riedi, Luke (Cyndi) Riedi, Anna (Chris) Stroud, Sarah (Kris) Schellhase. His grandchildren; Emma (special friend Carson) Riedi, Duncan Riedi, Zach (special friend Kiara) Baumgartner, Abby (special friend Justin) Baumgartner, Nicholas Baumgartner, Andrew (special friend Alex) Boncher, Ben Boncher, Emily Lambrecht, Alison Lambrecht, Austin Lambrecht, Amber Riedi, Caleb Riedi, Ava Riedi, Grayson Schellhase, Keaton Schellhase, Robyn Schellhase, his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Dick Douville; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Linda (Ray), parents, Matt and Anna (Kinderman) Riedi, sister JoAnne and brother-in- law Ralph Gilson.

A special thanks to the dedicated staff of Unity Hospice, they were a tremendous help to the family.

Family and friends may gather at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan Street, De Pere on Friday, October 13 from 9:00 am - 10:45 am. A funeral mass will be celebrated for Jim at 11:00 am with Father Mike. 

 Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.