Risa was an immigrant from Germany along with her husband, Josef.
Originally from Germany, she and her husband Josef joined a group of folks who were just like them, from Central Europe, along with some Prussians and Romanies, who seek land that reminds them of home, unlike the sweltering plains of Texas. During the journey, after some of the expelled members of the Caravan were murdered by bandits, she was made a bait to draw one of the bandits out, resulting in a shootout, causing her to lose it. When they reached Wyoming, Risa was bucked from her horse after a rattlesnake struck the horse. Josef reacted to his wife, only to be bit in the leg by that same snake. She was near death's door while Alina was attempting to treat her. After leaving Fort Caspar for Montana, Josef had his leg amputated, but Risa eventually succumbed to the injury she received during the journey.