Lance R. Riska

On May 7, 2024, Lance Richard Riska passed peacefully at home, with his wife Deborah and daughter Erin by his side. 

Born to Ermajean and Chester in June of 1957, Lance was raised in Saginaw by Ermajean and Frank, as part of a big, boisterous, blended and extended family, comprised of siblings of every sort and many special cousins. 

In 1978, Lance married Gail and soon, the two welcomed a daughter, Erin, who joined Gail’s daughter Shane to complete their family of four for the next decade. 

In 1999, Lance married Deborah and the two enjoyed nearly twenty-five years of marriage, marked by a shared love of karaoke, live music, road trips, the great outdoors and service to their community. 

Lance lived his life with humor and humility and had a knack for making everything more fun for everyone. Always quick with a smile, a kind word and a helping hand, he was a man of many interests and infinite wisdom. The consummate Mr. Fixit, Lance had a gift for understanding the inner workings of almost everything, whether it be lawnmowers, muscle cars, life, love, or indeed, the world at large. He was loved beyond measure and will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. 

Lance is survived by his adoring wife, Deborah, his daughter Erin, son-in-law Jon and grandsons Samuel and Griffin, as well as a treasured grandson, Chance - son of Shane - and great-grandson Syrus. Also surviving are brothers John and Dave (Valerie), Atley (Joan), sister Jean, mother-in-law Marilyn, brother-in-law Joe, Father-in-law Walt (Penny) and sister-in-law Brandy (Andrew), as well as several nieces, nephews and many beloved friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ermajean, Frank and Chester, brothers Tim and Terry, sister Marion, father-in-law Joe, brother-in-law Steven, and his first wife, Gail.  

A Celebration of Lance’s life will be held at 3pm on Sunday, May 26, at The Elks Lodge, located at 1200 Harmonia Rd in Battle Creek, Michigan. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care.  Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.