Lisa H Nuhring

Lisa Holly (Ritsema) Nuhring, 64, of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. She was born on October 11, 1958, the oldest of 3 children born to Ronald Gerald Ritsema and Gail Marie (Cowles) Ritsema. Lisa began her life in Whitewater, Wisconsin, with fond memories of walking over a footbridge to elementary school. 

Soon the family bought 64 acres of pristine wooded property outside of Milton, Wisconsin, and began building a new home. She told of camping out and getting paid a nickel for each thistle they dug up. She and her brother, Ronald Reid (Tiger) Ritsema, attended Johnstown Elementary where she learned just where all the good bumps were on the school bus route. Soon she was playing the flute for Milton High School and setting records for typing speed and accuracy. She graduated from Parker High School in Janesville, WI, in 1977. Lisa continued her education in the field of Police Science where she earned her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Blackhawk Technical Institute.

Her first job was working in the PhotoMat hut in the parking lot where she quickly acquired a love for photography. She and her close friends, Corinne Urban and Cherrie Wutke, were the Three Musketeers. The Los Angeles Lakers were her favorite team to cheer on. Later, she enjoyed the Packers vs. Vikings rivalry with her husband.

In 1982, Lisa met her soul mate, Daniel Nuhring, and were wed on June 23, 1983, with a lovely garden reception being held in her childhood backyard. Dan and Lisa moved to Gardner, Kansas, until retirement in 2009. They enjoyed hunting down collectibles, road trips to visit family, and comedy shows. Their beloved spunky cats also kept their spirits light. 

Being the over the top organizer and queen of details, Lisa was cherished for her executive secretary duties, complete with color coded staples. She worked for a software company upon arriving in Kansas, then KCI Medical Equipment Supply making sure patients got the specialized equipment on time in the right place throughout the Midwest. She also ran a tight ship in the TBE department at Sprint Corporate (Embarq).  

While living in Kansas, Lisa became part of an incredible group of scrap bookers. She was the proud owner of about every doodad and fancy paper under the sun. She made the most intricate greeting cards, which always had the perfectly handwritten note to friends and family. We looked forward to when we would get her one-of-a-kind cards in the mail to cherish long after the holiday.  Lisa put others first in her life and was the best listener. She followed up when there were concerns and tragedies in other’s lives. Lisa had a knack for writing with humor and precise descriptions and was encouraged by others to become a writer. She was so proud the day she saw one of her stories published in Reminisce Magazine.  

They relaxed during retirement at the doorstep of Spirit Lake in Grantsburg, WI, in the cabin where her mother and father-in-law retired. Here she continued to photograph the sunsets, loons, bears, deer, naughty raccoons, and so many songbirds. She treasured the friendships that were built with neighbors, Doug and Mya Zschokke, and her in-laws. Lisa and Dan could really put on a fancy Christmas meal or a delicious banquet for the hunting parties. The neighborhood picnic will never be forgotten once Lisa started making scrapbooks of the event! Lisa loved finding the perfect gifts and passed on her creative talents to Olivia, her niece, every chance she got.  

Lisa was preceded in death by her parents, Gail and Ronald G. Ritsema. Lisa is survived by her loving husband, Dan, of 39 years; her brother, Ronald Reid “Tiger” Ritsema; her sister, Melanie C’ana “Fritzi” Ritsema (Frederick) Heckel; and their daughter, Olivia L’Mae Heckel. Lisa was also close to her Nuhring family and is survived by her brother-in-law, Ronald Wayne Nuhring, and his children: Jodi (Randy) Olson, Jay Nuhring, and Jon (Mindy) Nuhring; Lyle Curtis (Connie) Nuhring, and their children: Timothy (Katya) Nuhring, Brigette (Jerry) Faber, and Chris Nuhring; many nieces and nephews; as well as great nieces and nephews.