Donald D. ‘Swede’ Dick, 81, Wabasha
Donald D. “Swede” Dick, age 81, of Wabasha, died early Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 11, 1934 in Wabasha, one of 11 children born to Andrew and Mary (Theismann) Dick. He was a 1952 graduate of St. Felix High School in Wabasha. He worked briefly for Bernard Rheingans at the Millville Feed Store and then he worked in the signal department of the Milwaukee Railroad from October, 1952 to October, 1959, living in Wabasha. In October of 1959 he worked at Di-Acro in Lake City to be home with his family. In February, 1960 he began his career working at the U. S. Post Office in Wabasha working the day shift and continuing to work the evening shift at Di-Acro. In 1965 he stopped working at Di-Acro and he and his wife and their children took on the job of cleaning the Wabasha Community Clinic until her death in 1977. He also worked at Wabasha Skelly part-time while continuing to work at the post office. He also worked for Harold Buckman on the ambulance and at the funeral home. In 1971 he was appointed full time at the post office in Wabasha. In September, 1975 he was transferred to the Rochester Post Office where he worked one year and then transferred back to Wabasha. In May, 1980 he took the rural route in Kellogg until 1983 when he was appointed Postmaster at Kellogg. He retired from the postal service in 1992 after 32 years of service.
Swede married Frances Sexton of Millville June 2, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in West Albany. She died in 1977. He later married Sharron LaVigne May 26, 1989 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg. They recently celebrated their 26 years of wonderful marriage together.
He was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha and the St. Joseph’s Society of Catholic United Financial. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He also liked watching and feeding the birds and squirrels in his yard. He received much joy from his faithful canine friend, Tracker.
Swede is survived by his wife, Sharron Dick, Wabasha, MN; sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Laurie Dick, Colorado Springs, CO, Dennis and Anita Dick, Wabasha, MN, Donny and Barb Dick, Reads Landing, MN, Dawn Dick, Kellogg, MN; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Dale Schmit, Wabasha, MN; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; stepsons, Mark (Andrea) LaVigne, Wabasha, MN, Randy (Shanon) LaVigne, Kellogg, MN, Mike LaVigne, Plainview, MN; step-daughters, Renee LaVigne, Red Wing, MN, Rhonda (Joe) Wingert, Millville, MN, Suzanne (Joe) Fries, Prior Lake, MN; 13 step-grandchildren; one step-great-granddaughter; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leo and Lucille Dick, Wabasha, MN, Ervin Dick, Lake City, MN, Ed and Shirley Dick, Eagan, MN, Eleanore Dick, Wabasha, MN; sister, Marne Lager, Wabasha, MN; nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances, one son, Harold, step-grandson, Anthony Ennis, brothers and sisters-in-law, infant Dennis Dick, John and Mildred Dick, Robert and Lucille Dick, and Grace Dick; sisters and brothers-in-law, Frances and Ed Lager, Vera and George Hielscher, Harry Lager, and his beloved dog, Tracker.
A funeral Mass was offered on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Cook and Deacon John Hust officiating. Interment was in St. Felix Cemetery. Casket bearers were his grandchildren, Brian, Bill and Mike Dick, Kadi Davis, Nathan and Alex Dick, Becca Dick and Nic and Natalie Schmit. Family and friends called at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Friday from 4-8pm with a prayer service at 8pm and called at the church on Saturday one hour before the Mass. Memorials are preferred to St. Felix School 130 3rd St. E. or to St. Elizabeth’s Cardiac Rehab Center 1200 5th Grant Blvd. W. both of Wabasha, MN 55981. The Abbott Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com
