Edna E. (Clark) Risto

Edna Eleba (Clark) Risto, age 101, of Minocqua passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff. Edna was born on February 16, 1914 to John and Josephine Harris of Hermansville, Michigan. Following the logging trade for work, the family moved throughout Michigan and Wisconsin, settling first in Wabeno and then later in Lake Tomahawk. In 1932, Edna married Charles Albert Clark. The ceremony took place in Minocqua at the 70 West golf course that was run by the Hayhurst Family. The couple then settled on the island of Minocqua to raise their family. Edna was the last living charter member of Calvary Lutheran Church, where she was involved in teaching Sunday school, the ladies alter guild and singing in the choir. Edna worked for 30 years at Zentner’s Minocqua Steam Laundry. Edna kept her home and yard neat and took pleasure in the chores that had her working outside. She picked berries both from the garden and the wild. She enjoyed raking her yard (and the neighborhood) and burning leaves in the fall. She had the best of luck at card and dice games and was tough to beat. She was skilled at the game Scrabble. After contemplating a word, Edna would place her tiles and claim, “I guess that is good enough.” Usually her words were “good enough” for a score double that of her opponent’s. Edna treasured time spent with her loved ones. She built great friendships with her neighbors in Ruebentown. Edna always had time to spend with her family. Whether for dinner or a quick stop, she was never too busy to welcome you in with a smile. She also made sure to wave goodbye from the porch. Edna was preceded in death by her grandparents Claus and Carrie (Stephenson) Peterson, her parents, husband Charlie, her second husband Otto Risto, her son William Clark, her son-in-law Marvin Langren, her niece Angela Harris and her nephew Richard Harris. Edna is survived by her son Jim (Karen) Clark of Minocqua, her daughter Bertha Langren of Minocqua, her daughter-in-law Pearl Clark of Minocqua and her brother Don (Nancy) Harris of Coalinga, California. Edna is further survived by her granddaughters Carrie (David) Imlah, Amber (M.J.) Laggis and Candace (Tony) Keelin, great-grandchildren Leiani (Michael), Charlie, Elly, Abe, Cal, Emma and Ike and great-great-grandchildren Chelsea, Kylie, Tristen, Adrianna and Hannah and nieces Gayle, Pam, Kathy, Theresa and nephew David. A special thank you is extended to all who helped to care for Edna, especially the staff at Milestone. The family kindly asks that you direct any memorials to Calvary Lutheran Church. A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 7, 2015 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minocqua, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Edna E. (Clark) Risto

February 16, 1914 - December 1, 2015