IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Jay
Riederer
August 23, 1960 – June 17, 2025
Obituary
We share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Jay W. Riederer, 64, of West Bend. He passed away peacefully with Denise by his side on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after a 3 1/2-year courageous fight against cancer.
Jay was born to James and Jenny Riederer in Watertown, WI on August 23, 1960. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1978 and subsequently attended UW-Whitewater. While in college he married the love of his life, Denise Grady. Over the 44 years of their marriage, he often told Denise that she was his "One Particular Harbor," a reference to both the many Jimmy Buffett shows they enjoyed together and the fact that she always brought him comfort. After graduating with a degree in Business Finance, he began his career at Wausau Insurance, handling medical malpractice claims. Later he moved on to the claims department at West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. After several years he returned to school to earn his Information Technology degree and started a new career in the IT department. He retired from West Bend Mutual Insurance Company in 2019.
Jay and Denise raised two incredible children, Kevin and Kristin. Their family grew when Kristin married their wonderful son-in-law Dave. They have three beautiful children, Logan, Carson, and Alessi. The family expanded again when Kevin met his lovely girlfriend Renee. Jay was always there to offer his guidance, love, and sense of humor. He cherished family get-togethers which brought him great joy to see his children and grandchildren. The gatherings also gave him opportunities to use his "Dad joke" humor on the grandchildren.
Jay and Denise were inseparable. Together they shared a love for nature, biking, canoeing, and photography. They enjoyed seeing many of their favorite bands and visiting brewery taprooms. They loved to travel and visited many beautiful locations, including over a dozen National Parks.
Some things that Jay was known for were his love of music, his fascination with AMC Gremlins, his dry sense of humor, his tendency to over-explain things, his use of analogies, his love of charred brats & crispy peeps, and his enjoyment of playing (with) his guitars.
Jay's loving and supportive nature extended beyond family and friends through his many community service activities. He worked on Habitat for Humanity builds, routinely donated blood (almost 15 gallons), co-captained the West Bend Mutual "Relay for Life" team with Denise for ten years, and volunteered at The Hub as a barista. He was always willing to help, even when helping carried him outside his comfort zone.
Jay is survived by his loving wife Denise, their children, Kevin (Renee Calkins) and Kristin (Dave) Todd, their grandchildren Logan, Carson, and Alessi Todd; his four brothers and two sisters: Jim (Deb) Riederer, Connie (Paul) Dobbratz, John (Gail) Riederer, Jayne (Paul) Seiser, Joe Riederer and Jerry Riederer (Judy Kirschling); his mother-in-law Jeanie Grady; his brothers-in-law: Brian Grady, Richard Grady (Patti), Todd Grady (Tammy) and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law Ralph Grady.
Thank you to family and friends for the cards, phone calls, and visits during Jay's illness. The kindness was much appreciated. Also, thanks to his oncology team at Froedtert, specifically Dr. John Charleson, Dr. Candice Johnstone, and all the chemo, radiation, and oncology staff for their wonderful care.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, June 27th at Trinity Lutheran Church (140 N 7th Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095) with Pastor David Schoob presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Friday, June 27 th from 9:00 – 11:00. A reception to celebrate Jay's life will be at The Columbian Hall, 3245 Lighthouse Lane, West Bend, WI 53090 following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one's choice.
Jay was born to James and Jenny Riederer in Watertown, WI on August 23, 1960. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1978 and subsequently attended UW-Whitewater. While in college he married the love of his life, Denise Grady. Over the 44 years of their marriage, he often told Denise that she was his "One Particular Harbor," a reference to both the many Jimmy Buffett shows they enjoyed together and the fact that she always brought him comfort. After graduating with a degree in Business Finance, he began his career at Wausau Insurance, handling medical malpractice claims. Later he moved on to the claims department at West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. After several years he returned to school to earn his Information Technology degree and started a new career in the IT department. He retired from West Bend Mutual Insurance Company in 2019.
Jay and Denise raised two incredible children, Kevin and Kristin. Their family grew when Kristin married their wonderful son-in-law Dave. They have three beautiful children, Logan, Carson, and Alessi. The family expanded again when Kevin met his lovely girlfriend Renee. Jay was always there to offer his guidance, love, and sense of humor. He cherished family get-togethers which brought him great joy to see his children and grandchildren. The gatherings also gave him opportunities to use his "Dad joke" humor on the grandchildren.
Jay and Denise were inseparable. Together they shared a love for nature, biking, canoeing, and photography. They enjoyed seeing many of their favorite bands and visiting brewery taprooms. They loved to travel and visited many beautiful locations, including over a dozen National Parks.
Some things that Jay was known for were his love of music, his fascination with AMC Gremlins, his dry sense of humor, his tendency to over-explain things, his use of analogies, his love of charred brats & crispy peeps, and his enjoyment of playing (with) his guitars.
Jay's loving and supportive nature extended beyond family and friends through his many community service activities. He worked on Habitat for Humanity builds, routinely donated blood (almost 15 gallons), co-captained the West Bend Mutual "Relay for Life" team with Denise for ten years, and volunteered at The Hub as a barista. He was always willing to help, even when helping carried him outside his comfort zone.
Jay is survived by his loving wife Denise, their children, Kevin (Renee Calkins) and Kristin (Dave) Todd, their grandchildren Logan, Carson, and Alessi Todd; his four brothers and two sisters: Jim (Deb) Riederer, Connie (Paul) Dobbratz, John (Gail) Riederer, Jayne (Paul) Seiser, Joe Riederer and Jerry Riederer (Judy Kirschling); his mother-in-law Jeanie Grady; his brothers-in-law: Brian Grady, Richard Grady (Patti), Todd Grady (Tammy) and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law Ralph Grady.
Thank you to family and friends for the cards, phone calls, and visits during Jay's illness. The kindness was much appreciated. Also, thanks to his oncology team at Froedtert, specifically Dr. John Charleson, Dr. Candice Johnstone, and all the chemo, radiation, and oncology staff for their wonderful care.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, June 27th at Trinity Lutheran Church (140 N 7th Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095) with Pastor David Schoob presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Friday, June 27 th from 9:00 – 11:00. A reception to celebrate Jay's life will be at The Columbian Hall, 3245 Lighthouse Lane, West Bend, WI 53090 following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one's choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jay Riederer, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
June
27
Trinity Lutheran Church
9:00 - 11:00 am
Jay Riederer's Guestbook
Visits: 4
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