Richard D. Larson

Richard (Dick) Dean Larson, age 92, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2024 at Bethany Home in Waupaca, WI. He was born on January 2, 1932 in Weyauwega, WI during the Great Depression. Richard was the youngest of three children born to Lloyd and Lucille Larson. He was only six months old when his father died (as a result of tragic accident). His widowed mother, lovingly raised her three children surviving extreme hardship and poverty. She instilled in her children the value of honest hard work. So, as a young boy, Dick helped contribute to the struggling family by netting bait fish, fur trapping, setting pins at a bowling alley and delivering newspapers. A graduate of Waupaca High School in 1950, Dick loved learning and excelled athletically. He was awarded “All Conference Wide Receiver “ in football in 1949 and ran hurdles at the state track meet of 1950. His love for music and singing led him to perform in a men’s vocal quartet called “The 4 D’s” during high school. Dick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving as a radio repair technician. After four years of service, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his military service, he drove truck for the Milwaukee Journal and entered college earning a degree in Geology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1961. After college, Dick spent two years employed in sales by Mobil Oil Co. before returning to the University of Wisconsin to pursue additional degrees in Physical Education and Social Studies. Dick discovered his passion for working with children and became a physical education teacher. He taught PhyEd in Markesan, WI from 1964 to 1966, and then for the Brown Deer Public Schools, teaching and coaching multiple sports from 1966 until his retirement in 1990. In 1970, Dick married Carol Schmiedel, whom he met while teaching in Brown Deer. Together, they built their home in Cedarburg, WI, raised their family and were long-time members of First Immanuel Lutheran Church. They were married for 50 years until Carol’s passing in 2021. Dick enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He loved building model airplanes and woodworking. Being an avid outdoorsman, Dick enjoyed hunting, trap shooting, and training his beloved hunting dogs. He was a member of Pheasants Forever and the Ozaukee Fish and Game Club. His love of the outdoors extended to boating, snowmobiling and motorcycling. He was an active member of the Monticello Snowmobile Club building and maintaining trails. Dick also loved to play card games of all sorts. He and his wife, often played card games like Bridge with family and friends but he especially enjoyed a good game of Sheepshead. Dick was a proud member of the American Legion Post #355 in Grafton, WI, and was accompanied by his son, Mark, on an unforgettable Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol (Wachholz Schmiedel) Larson; his parents, Lloyd L. Larson and Lucille E. (Larson) Peterson; his stepfather, Norman A. Peterson; his brother, Lloyd Larson Jr.; his sister, Naoma M. (Larson) Schmidt; his brother-in-law, John E. Schmidt; and his nephew, Lloyd Larson III. Dick is survived by his son, Mark (Susan) Schmiedel of Waukesha, WI; his grandchildren, Christel (Luke) Ingles of Apple Valley, MN and Michelle (Ken) Rojas of Brookfield, WI; his great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Elizabeth, James, and Amelia; his niece, Linda (Lawrence) Walbrun of Hudson, WI; and his nephews, Stephen Larson of Redgranite, WI and Terry (Megan Goggins) Larson of Waupaca, WI; along with great-nephews Ian, Benjamin, Taylor, Cody; and great-nieces Nina, Caitlin and Kate. A celebration of Richard’s life, with full military honors, will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:30 AM at First Immanuel Lutheran Church, W67N622 Evergreen Blvd, Cedarburg, WI. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will be provided following the service. Burial will at a later date in Park Cemetery, Ogdensburg, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Immanuel Lutheran Church or the American Legion Post #355, 1540 13th Avenue, Grafton WI 53024. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Dick’s legacy of his love and devotion to family, friends, former students and our Nation will be cherished forever by those privileged to know him.

Richard D. Larson

January 2, 1932 - August 25, 2024