Harold Rivard 07/12/2025

Harold Kenneth Rivard, 84, of Somerset, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025. Born on February 19, 1941, to Oscar and Lilah (Redlich) Rivard. Harold grew up on the family farm and graduated from Somerset High School in 1959. After high school, he attended UW-River Falls, where played football and graduated with a degree in Education.

On November 10, 1962, Harold married his high school sweetheart, Theresa Germain. They moved to Cedarburg in 1963, where Harold was a 6th grade teacher in the Cedarburg School District. They moved back to Somerset in 1970, where they made their lifelong home and raised five sons: Perry, Bruce, John, Kevin, and Aaron.  Harold taught 5th & 6th grade Science in Somerset from 1970-1995. Mr. Rivard’s science closet was famous amongst his students, but he was perhaps best known for attending high school reunions to share letters his former students wrote when they were in 6th grade. Harold believed it was important to stay in close touch with former students; he did this through social media, by letter, and even an in-person visit if he was in their neck of the woods.

During his tenure with the Somerset School District, Harold was not only a teacher, but a beloved coach. He coached high school and junior high football, basketball, wrestling, and track and field. Football coaching was especially close to his heart, as he was a talented football player. Harold played football in high school and for UW-River Falls for four years, where he was an All-Conference player. He was named to an All-League Football Squad in 1966 representing the Sheboygan Red Wings semi-pro team. Following his retirement, he continued to be an avid supporter of Somerset athletics and could be seen in the stands at many events.  Coach Rivard always saw the best in his students and his athletes; he was a mentor to many, and left a lasting impression on all.

He and Theresa traveled extensively throughout the United States. Their favorite journeys included trips to Hawaii and Alaska, and they often traveled with friends and family. Roland & Janet Belisle, Earl Belisle, and his brother Jim and wife Sharon were frequent companions on their travels. Not only did Harold enjoy traveling the U.S., he loved to drive all around Somerset and the surrounding area. He had a story for every stop, and believed in never going home the same way you came.

Harold had fierce pride in the community of Somerset. In 1985, he co-founded the Somerset Memorial Scholarship Fund, an organization that today awards over $80,000 in scholarships to Somerset High School graduates. Harold was a historian, and in 2006, helped to create and record “A Local History Series” with the Somerset Public Library. In these videos, he shared his own memories and stories of growing up in Somerset and arranged interviews with many other Somerset residents. Harold also co-authored a book about the Prohibition Era in Somerset. Thanks to Harold’s dedication, the history of Somerset has been preserved, and his impact on this community will be felt for generations.

A lifelong resident of Somerset, he was a man who found immense joy in the simple things—his family, community gatherings, and cheering on his hometown Somerset teams. Harold was a devoted husband, a proud father, a doting grandfather, and a loyal friend. His family was truly his pride and joy. He loved to get together with them at his home, at the lake, or at the cabin, and especially loved throwing his own birthday parties. Harold will be deeply missed but never forgotten. To remember Harold, the family requests that you stop in for that visit with family and friends, and that you take a different path home each time you return.

Harold is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Theresa; his five sons: Perry (Heather), Bruce (Christine), John (Kristin),  Kevin (Robin), and Aaron (Sara); his grandchildren Hal (Sarah), Brandon, Evan, Abbie, Sophia, Autumn, Alaina, and Kaia; great grandchildren Landry, Emery, Kinsey, Caden and Logan; and siblings, James Rivard (Sharon); in-laws, Betty (Kenny Hoverman, Joanie Pfluger, Tommy (Sue) Germain, Bette Rivard and Lori Germain.  Harold will be deeply missed but never forgotten. His legacy remains through his family, in the stories he told, and the many students, athletes, and community members he inspired.

Harold is preceded by his parents, Oscar and Lilah; siblings, Donny, Richard, Stuart, Audrey (Moe) Lindau, Lorraine (Glen)  Wickenhauser, Shirley (Francis) Jasperson and Dorothy (Bill) Gleason; in-laws, Vincent (Annette) Germain, Jim (Luckille) Germain, Gerald (Geraldine) Germain, Melvin (Barb) (Claire) Germain, Louie Germain and Eileen (Al) Struemke; daughter-in-law, Darcie Rivard.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11:00AM at St. Anne’s Catholic Church (141 Church Hill Rd) Somerset, Wisconsin.  Visitation for Harold took place on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00PM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 S Knowles Ave) New Richmond, Wisconsin and again at the church starting at 10:00AM on Thursday.  Interment is in St Anne’s Cemetery immediately following mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Harold and Theresa (Germain) Rivard Family Scholarship

PO Box 121

Somerset, WI 54025

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of Harold’s service.