(DES MOINES) – Gov. Branstad is ordering all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, until 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, 2012 for Sgt. Michael E. Ristau., 25, originally of Cascade.
Sgt. Ristau was killed in Afghanistan, while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, on July 13, when the vehicle he was riding in was attacked by an improvised explosive device.
The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor’s executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.
Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
Ristau is survived by his wife, Elizabeth L. and sons, Hyle Ristau, of Tacoma, Wash., and Bradley Ristau, of Tennessee; his parents, Randy L. and Suzanne M. Ristau, of Cascade; sister Halie Ristau of Cascade; and brothers Christopher Powers of Dubuque, Iowa and Jesse Carrier of Bolivar, Mo.; grandmother Gertrude Meyer of East Dubuque, Ill. and grandfather Vernon Thomas, of Dubuque; father-in-law and mother-in-law Dan and Karen Lemley of Tacoma; and brother-in-law Collin Lemley of Tacoma.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Cascade City Park.
The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of the funeral will be presented to Sgt. Ristau’s family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring him.
i am begging anyone who has information on randall and suzanne ristau to come forward with any information about them .
for anybody that has any information about randall and suzanne ristau you can contact me at pauliemyrick@yahoo.com, your identity or any information will be kept in confidence.
my name is paula allen , once was paula ristau. me and my ex- husband had two boys named michael and randy ristau ( twins) . i am michael and randys birth mother . both born in manhattan kansas on december 20 th of 1986 . the father randall ristau with the help of his mother gertrude had taken my boys and ran with them for years . i have been looking for my boys now for 25 years. i recently found out that my son michael was killed in afghanistan on july 13 , 2012 . i really would like some answers on my sons death and why the father and his mother kidnapped my sons . if you could please get back with me on this i would appreciate it . the women who is saying shes my sons mom is not their mother and i can prove this. randall had forged my name on adoption papers . i never gave this women suzanne the permission to adopt my sons . please get back with me on this matter !!!
I don’t know the whole story on this but, if what you say is true, this is very heart wrenching. I hope you get some answers.