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Virginia ‘Virgie’ Rivard (Nee Belisle)

Virginia “Virgie” Rivard, (nee: Belisle) age 84, of Houlton, Wisconsin, died peacefully Friday April 29th at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Virgie was born on January 6, 1932 at her home in Somerset; the daughter of Rodrick ‘Dick’ and Adele (Montpetit) Belisle.  She was raised in Somerset where she lived her entire life.

On October 1, 1949, she was united in marriage to Lowell P. Rivard. To this union, seven wonderful children were blessed.  She was the true matriarch of her family. Nothing gave her more pleasure that being surrounded by those she loved best.  She enjoyed keeping her gardens maintained; whether flowers or vegetables. Furthermore, she loved cooking or canning for her family.  The old adage “behind every great man is an even greater woman” was true, because together, she and Lowell founded Rivard Stone, which has grown to a successful business well known throughout the region. Her spunky and feisty attitude will be forever missed.

Virgie will forever remain in the hearts of her husband of 67 years Lowell; children: Bryan (Mary) Rivard of Osceola, Michael (Debbie) Rivard of Houlton, Gary (Sandy) Rivard of Houlton, Rick Rivard of Houlton, Susan (Charlie) Johnson of New Richmond, Tim (Connie) Rivard, of Somerset, and Conrad (Velda) Rivard of Hudson; grandchildren: Nathan, Lacey, Melissa, Chip, Heather, Garner, Katie, Josh, J.P., Matthew, Mitchell, Lukas, and Kazlin; step grandchildren: Jennifer, Andrew, Aaron, Toya, and Cody; and 16 great grandchildren.

Virgie is preceded in death by her siblings: Wallace (Carol) Belisle, Wilbur Belisle, Alice (Bob) Swearingen, Sherman Belisle, and Glen Belisle; and sisters/brothers-in-law: AnnaLou (Les) Lindstrom, Douglas Rivard, Burt (JoAlice) Rivard, and LaVonne (Lyle) Kruschke.

Mass of Christian Burial for Virgie will be 11AM, Saturday, May 7th at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Somerset.  Burial at a later date will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to the mass at St. Anne’s Saturday morning. Memorials preferred to the discretion of the family.