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Wilfred E. Riedl

1921 - 2006

Wilfred E. Riedl

Wilfred E. "Bill" Riedl, 84, of Watertown, passed away unexpectedly August 5, 2006, at Beverly Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center, Watertown.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown with the Rev. Father Bernard E. Rott officiating, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p m. with an Elks service at 7 p.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home, Watertown, and on Thursday at 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Wilfred was born in Watertown on Oct. 26, 1921, the son of Ben and Clara (Frodl) Riedl. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic from 1942-45. He served in the 463rd, 79th Infantry Division as part of the Normandy Invasion and fought through the European theater.

On May 17, 1949, he married Dolores Seibel in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Richwood. Wilfred worked for G. B. Lewis until 1956 when he started his own fiberglass business, the W. E. Riedl Company, which he owned and operated until 1981 when he retired and sold the company to Master Mold, Inc.

Wilfred was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown for 84 years and served as an usher for 50 years. He was a member of the Watertown Elks Lodge No. 666 for 36 years, serving as exalted ruler, district vice presidents district deputy and was also Elk of the year. Other organizations he was active in were the Plattdeutscher Verein, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights, AARP No. 3056, Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 07852, the Watertown Outboarders, the senior center and numerous bowling leagues. He loved his dog, Buddy, and he loved dancing, golf, boating, playing cards, woodworking, traveling and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores of Watertown; daughter, Donna (Dan) Bisbee of Waukesha; son, Randy (Kristie) Riedl of Watertown; he was blessed with two grandchildren, Deanna (Rick) Chiapete of Waukesha and David (Jennifer) Bisbee of Shakopee, Minn.; a sister, Teresa (James) Wick of Wauwatosa; sister-in-law, Florence (Gerald) Riedl of Waterloo; a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gerald and Bernard; and a nephew, Thomas Riedl.

The family would like to thank the staff of Beverly Terrace for their devoted care and kindness given to Wilfred and his family during the last six months.

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W. E. Riedl Company

Watertown Daily Times, 07 03 1976

The W. E. Riedl Company, 510 South Church Street, sustained damages estimated at $275,000 in the blaze which started shortly before noon on Friday, according to a figure from the Watertown Fire Department Records.

Wilfred Riedl, 1203 Dakota Street, owner of the business, was not available for comment on the fire.

The Watertown Fire Department was called at 11:44 a.m. by Riedl who discovered the fire in a paint room. The fire spread throughout the entire building in minutes and by the time firemen arrived a few minutes later, the entire structure was engulfed in heavy smoke and flames.

Four minutes after firemen arrived on the scene, the alarm was placed for all off duty and auxiliary firefighters to .respond, and at noon the Ixonia Volunteer Fire Department was called to stand by at the station. That department arrived with a pumper and five firemen 14 minutes later.

The fire apparently started in a spray paint booth of the metal roof and metal sided building. The source of ignition is unknown at this time.

There was a heavy, black smoke and deep orange fire which filled the air and could be seen for miles until the blaze wag brought under control.

This is the second fire at the Riedl Company. A fire four years ago in April caused extensive damage to the building.

Several Watertown firemen were given medical treatment as a result of the fire. Firefighter Mike Meyers and Auxiliary firefighter Bob Boettscher were treated for smoke inhalation, and Auxiliary Firefighter Tom Finnel sustained a blow to the head when insulation fell on him. All were treated at Watertown Memorial Hospital.

The department remained on the scene for over three hours and also made periodic checks on the building during the evening.

The W. E. Riedl Company is a custom reinforced plastic molding company with complete design, pattern making, hand lay-up, and spray-up operations.