A 32-year-old Waupaca County man, who was a husband and father, died after a hunting accident.
Waupaca County Sheriff's deputies were called to a location in the Town of Waupaca last Wednesday night for a report of a hunter, Ryan Giefer, who had not returned home, according to Lt. Kevin Studzinski of the Waupaca County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies and fire crews searched the area and found Giefer, who had died.
Giefer had been in a tree stand about 15 to 20 feet in the air, and fell; his death was ruled accidental, Lt. Studzinski said. Giefer had been bow hunting.
Giefer is survived by his wife, Rachel, and their three children: Harper, 5, Griffin, 2, and three-week-old Millie.
"[Millie] actually came three weeks early, so he was able to meet his daughter Millie before the accident," said Giefer's brother-in-law, Ryan Vos-Orrington.
"Time isn't promised, and... we really just have to appreciate every moment that we have with those that we love," Vos-Orrington said.
The Giefers had family photos taken the day before the accident.
"It's a blessing to have those captured," Vos-Orrington said.
Ryan Giefer, who grew up in Waupaca, worked for the City of Wisconsin Rapids and was the breadwinner for the family, Vos-Orrington said.
"Without his income my sister is really facing quite an uphill struggle."
A GoFundMe page has been established to benefit the family, in addition to a Give InKind page.
Ryan Giefer's obituary and information on funeral arrangements can be found here.
