Mary Jean Victoria Riesen

Mary Jean Victoria Riesen (nee Vermette), resident of Meadow Lake, SK., passed away on November 15, 2025, in the NW Community Lodge, in Meadow Lake, SK, at 105 years of age.

Jean was born in St. Hippolyte, SK., on June 11, 1920, to Napoleon and Clara Vermette, the second born of 9 kids. During the 30’s, the family moved to the Tamerack district, north of Loon Lake, SK.

Jean married Ed Shrigley on June 27, 1938, a neighbour bachelor who had a rhubarb plant to give away. The next 28 years were spent living in the Loon River district and working on their mixed farm, raising a family, being involved with the Loon River community, church, and school. They were blessed with six children, Nelson, Archie, Frances, Darlene, Clara, and George.

At retirement in 1966, Jean and Ed moved into Meadow Lake where they lived until Ed’s passing. The next years Jean spent time with her children at their homes and volunteered with Operation Mobilization Mission.

On April 18, 1985, Jean married Fritz Riesen and they lived in Meadow Lake. Later she lived in a seniors housing in Medicine Hat, AB., near Nelson, Darlene, and George. In September 2012, she moved back to Meadow Lake.

As you can imagine, Jean saw a lot of changes, picking rocks with horses and a stoneboat, to travelling with a camper van. After moving to Meadow Lake, she completed her GED (Grace Bowerman was her teacher), Her hands were always busy. The first years were sewing/mending everything, to later handwork of all kinds.

Jean loved the Lord, any activities at the church were very important to her. In her later years she often said “I want to go home”.

Jean will be sadly missed by her children, along with their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

A Graveside Service will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, 2:30 p.m., at Woodlawn Cemetery, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan.

Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m., at the Compass Immanuel Church, Rapid View, Saskatchewan.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Mary Jean Victoria Riesen.