Obituary of Donald E. Risteen

Donald E. Risteen, Sr., 97, of Marblehead, husband of his beloved late wife Edna (Bowden) Risteen, with whom he shared 74 years of marriage, died peacefully Thursday evening, April 6, 2006 at the Grosvenor Park Nursing Home, Salem, following a short illness. Born and raised in Peabody, he was the son of the late Harvey J. and Margaret (MacKinnon) Risteen. Prior to his retirement in 1965, Mr. Risteen owned and operated the Donnell & Mudge Leather Manufacturing Company in Salem for over 30 years. He was a graduate of Peabody High School in 1925 and attended Salem Commercial School in the Business Administration course. A resident of Marblehead since the 1940s, he resided in Florida from 1965 to 2002 where he was a member of St. Andrew’ s Church Sarasota. In 1964, he was an Incorporator of the Marblehead Trust Company. He was President of the Salem Rotary Club and was a member of the Philanthropic Lodge, AF & AM of Marblehead, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Boston, and the Aleppo Temple Shrine in Wilmington, where he held the office of Potentate’ s Aide for many years. He was also a founding member of the Sahib Temple of Sarasota, Florida. For many years, he was an active member of the Boston Yacht Club and Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead. He enjoyed playing golf, boating and fishing. He was an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards with his many friends. Mr. Risteen is survived by a son and his wife, Donald E., Jr. and Mary A. Risteen of Cocoa Beach FL; a daughter with whom he resided, Dorothy E. Klocker of Marblehead; 6 grandchildren, Vickie Risteen and Scott Klocker both of Marblehead, Kimberly Belanger of Dunbarton NH, and Ryan, Shawn and Dane Risteen all of FL; 5 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by a grandson Donald R. Risteen, two brothers, Milferd Risteen, Elden Risteen, and one sister, Clara Tedford. His funeral service will be held Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 11 am at the Old North Church, 41 Washington St., Marblehead. Visiting hours are Wednesday, 5-8 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, at the 20 Church Street facility, Peabody. A Masonic service will be held at 7 PM. Burial is in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Donations may be made in his memory to the Shriner's Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.