Renée Michelle Ressler

Renée Michelle Ressler, 46, of Belvidere, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 31, 2025, from a pulmonary embolism.

Renée was born on March 17, 1979, to Susan Piske and the late Gary Sawallisch. She was a graduate of Belvidere High School, Rock Valley College, and the University of St. Francis. Renée worked in the medical field her entire life. First in the pharmacy, then in care coordination and management, and finally in quality improvement. Her work in medicine spoke to her genuine care, compassion, and devotion to improving the lives of those around her. A dedicated and hard-working woman, Renée gave her all to everything she did both at home and in her career. Everyone who worked with her, and for her, admired her kindness, humor, and steady support. What people remember most, is how Renée listened, truly listened, and how she would drop everything to be there for someone who needed her. She had a unique way of making people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Renée loved listening to music, singing, rooting for her Chicago Cubs, cheering at Wisconsin Badger volleyball games, visiting family in Florida, and shopping with and for her girls. Her sense of humor was amazing, and her laughter could fill a room. She was always able to laugh at herself and was known for her quick wit and sarcasm. She was competitive by nature and was never one to back down from a friendly game. She loved supporting her children, nieces, and nephews by watching their numerous sporting events and performances. If you know Renée, you know she was the loudest and proudest cheerleader in the crowd.

Renée’s devotion to her husband of 21 years, Bret, and to her daughters, Grace and Ella, was unmatched. She was so proud of Bret for recently completing his studies in massage therapy and opening his new business. She had an unwavering goal to be the best mother possible, and she would show up for them in big and little ways alike. Her girls will miss their couch snuggles, watching movies, late night talks, and dinner dates.

Renée is survived by her loving husband, Bret Ressler, and their cherished daughters, Grace and Ella. She is also survived by her parents, Doug and Sue Piske, her siblings, Jessica (Brad) Tiesel, Melissa (Adam) Hartzell, and Josh Piske, her amazing grandmother, Beverly Sawallisch, her beloved in-laws, Terry and Elaine Ressler, Phil (Christine) Ressler, and Carrie (Josh) Bohling, her nieces and nephews, Landon and Liam Tiesel, Ryann and Jackson Hartzell, Abigail, Thomas, and Jacob Ressler, and Ty and Quinn Bohling, and by countless other dear family and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Gary Sawallisch, grandparents, Ronald and Fumiko Manley, grandfather, Kenneth Sawallisch, aunt, Jeanette Vaughn, and uncle, Randy Sawallisch.

Renée’s beautiful spirit, generous heart, and amazing humor will be missed beyond measure, but we are comforted in knowing she rests in the arms of our loving Savior. As a final act of generosity, Renée was a tissue donor to Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family’s GoFundMe to help them with funeral and medical expenses.

A visitation will be held at Immanual Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 10 AM to 1 PM. The funeral service will immediately follow at 1 PM.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-renee-resslers-family-in-grief

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