Dolores Marie Ristau

Dolores Marie “Dee” Ristau, 82, formerly of Thornton, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the Country Meadow Place in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 24, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave. South, Clear Lake, with Rev. Josh Link as Celebrant.

Burial will take place in Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton.

There will be no visitation as per the wishes of Dee.

In lieu of flowers and memorial contributions to honor Dee’s giving spirit please do an act of kindness in remembrance of her.

Dee was born on November 27, 1942, the third of seven children to Kenneth and Naida (Hart) Clark. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. At the age of five, her family moved from Britt to the Joice area, where she attended Larson Country School for her early education before continuing at Joice High School. Dee was a proud member of the Class of 1960, the last class to graduate before the school closed. Following graduation, she pursued her passion for beauty and hairstyling at LaJames Beauty School in Mason City, later working in salons across Iowa and Colorado.

On January 27, 1968, Dee married Robert “Bob” Ristau of Thornton, and together they built a life filled with love and hard work. They welcomed three children, and after the birth of their second son, Dee chose to focus on raising her family. Though she said she would never marry a farmer, she found herself raising their children on a farm in Thornton. Over the years, she also worked at Kmart, Thornton Golf Course, Southern Country News, and later at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake.

Dee had a zest for life and a love for simple joys. She enjoyed baking, planting flowers, reading and playing 500. She never passed up a good garage sale, loved trips to the casino and could often be found watching Lifetime movies or taking peaceful drives around the lake. Above all, she cherished time with her grandchildren, treasuring every moment spent together.

Those left to cherish Dee’s memory are her children, Troy (Tonya) Ristau, of Clear Lake, Todd (Shari) Ristau of Clear Lake, Traci (Allan) Ludwig of Waterloo; grandchildren, Tyler and Spencer Ristau, Taryn and Tori Ristau, Samual and Stella Ludwig; brother, Duane (Mary) Clark; sisters Dorothy Mullinax and Janet Treat, sister-in-law, Linda Eggleston and friend, Gary Iverson, Kathi Clark; numerous cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Dee is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob”, July 6, 2006; her parents; sisters, Mary Alice Dawson and Barbara Willier; brother, Jerry Clark; father and mother-in-law, Vern and Ruth Ristau, brothers-in-law, Paul and Don Ristau, and Dick Dawson, Robert Treat; sister-in-law, Elaine Ristau.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.