Philip “Butch” Roger Riesen

Philip “Butch” Roger Riesen, age 86, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, in Spokane, Washington. Butch was born on July 20, 1939, in Colville, Washington to Fred and Leona Riesen. He grew up in the Kettle Falls/ Rice area with his sister and graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1958. He was a talented athlete who enjoyed participating in sports and a good student elected ASB President. After graduation, Butch served in the Navy for four years. Towards the end of his enlistment, he met and married Gail in Long Beach, California, April 1962. Butch then re-enlisted in the US Coast Guard for another 17 years as an electrician before retiring in 1979. During that time, they had three children and were stationed in seven different states across the U.S. from Hawaii to Alaska. Butch traveled the world while in the military: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, North and South Pole to name a few. Upon his retirement from the military, the family moved back to Kettle Falls where he remodeled and added on to the Riesen family homestead. Butch worked for Avista (Washington Water Power) generating station from 1982 until 1993. Butch enjoyed tinkering on cars, attending church and men’s bible study, tending to his yard and restoring his 1956 Ford dually truck. He was known for his warm smile, easy going ways, and love of the Lord. Butch is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Gail Riesen; his children, Ken (Melissa) Riesen, Kelly (Eric) Weatherman; four grandchildren, Kameron (Brette), Weatherman, Josh (Shadda) Weatherman, Kevin Riesen, Klarity Riesen; two great granddaughters, Kendall and McKinley, and nephew Andy ( June) Bible. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kenneth Riesen (1942), sister, Kathryn (Trinka) Pardee, and son, Kevin Riesen (1992). A celebration of life ceremony will be held June 9, 2026, 11:00 am at Colville Christian Church, 828 S. Summit, Colville, WA followed by a potluck. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kettle Falls American Legion Post #146, which was very important to Butch. The family would like to thank the Memory Lane staff at North Central Care and Rehabilitation for their compassionate care.