A Saturday, Jan. 18 memorial service is scheduled for longtime Prescott and River Falls journalist Judy Riff, who died on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
The daughter of Thomas and Dorthy (Busche) Herman, Judy was born in Rhinelander on June 8, 1949. She received her bachelor’s degree, with honors, in journalism from UW-River Falls.
During her educational years, Judy worked as the editor of the high school newspaper and was managing editor of the UW-River Falls Student Voice. She married Carl Heise, Jr., on July 5, 1969, and they had two children, Lisa and Brandon before divorcing. She married Roger Wiff on June 13, 1981. They lived in River Falls for a short time prior to building their dream home in Martell township where they resided for over 40 years.
She began working in journalism at the Prescott Journal in 1974. Not long after, she started at the River Falls Journal and continued her long career with the local newspaper until her retirement in 2016. She was well known for her column, Second Thoughts, where she discussed current events and shared personal stories.
Judy was active in the River Falls community, including her involvement with Turning Point for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence since 1980, served on the board beginning in 1992, and was president from 1994 – 2008. She led Sharing Families since its beginning in 1988, anonymously connecting River Falls residents with families in need at Christmas, and served as president from the time it was established as an official charitable organization in 1998 until February 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family will donate any memorials to Judy’s favorite charities.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Spirit of Grace United Methodist Church in River Falls. Visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, at Spirit of Grace United Methodist Church and also from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service at the church on Saturday, Jan. 18.
