Lavern "Skip" H. Ristau

LAVERN “SKIP” RISTAU, age 91 of Waseca, died on the morning of Friday, April 10, 2026, at his Colony Court Home in Waseca.

Born on October 28, 1934 in Waseca, Minnesota, Skip was the son of R.J. and Irene (Koester) Ristau. He graduated from Waseca High School in 1953 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954. He served during the Korean Conflict in South Korea. He was also stationed in Iwo Jima and Japan before being honorably discharged in 1957. Skip was very proud of his years of service and always smiled when someone came up and thanked him for his service.

Skip met his future wife, Shirley while home on leave. They were married on November 10, 1956 in Albert Lea. They moved briefly to Alabama while Skip finished his military duty before moving back to Minnesota. After a short stay in Janesville, they moved to rural Waseca.

Skip did some mechanic work upon moving to Minnesota and then worked alongside his brother Bud on the family farm for several years before going to work for Kohnert and Youngberg construction. This is where Skip learned his lifelong passion of working in the carpentry field. He spent several years with K & Y before moving on to the carpenter position at UMW. He worked there for almost 20 years before it closed. He then spent the next 4 years working at the Minnesota State Capitol Building. He retired in 1995. In retirement, Skip and Shirley spent 19 years wintering in Mesa, AZ until Shirley’s passing in 2014.

Skip enjoyed going on multiple fishing trips. He loved cutting wood on weekends with his family. He also enjoyed spending summers with friends and family at his cabin on Reeds Lake. He enjoyed his retirement – taking up golf at the age of 63 and he managed a hole in one. Skip was a life long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.

Skip was a hard worker. He passed this work ethic onto his children. Even in retirement he helped do small projects in Arizona for friends and picked up golf balls. He loved coming out to the shop when he was in Minnesota. Skip was always willing to help out – even if that meant sweeping. He will be missed.

Skip is survived by his two children, Greg “Skip” (Diane Lewis) Ristau of Waseca and Tammy (Dale) Liska of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren Jennifer (Brandon) Bauleke of Savage, Joshua (Angie) Ristau of Waseca, Katie Liska of Mesa, AZ, and Bethany Lewis of St. Paul; and six great-grandchildren, Charlie, Will, and Lucy Bauleke, Corbin and Cullen Ristaul, and Briley Gorder. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; and brother.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 12:00 PM until the time of services at the funeral home. A private interment will be held at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.