Richard VanDeWiele age 84 of Walnut Grove passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Springfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 22 at 10:30 am at St. Paul Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 21 from 4:00-8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:30 pm at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Burial is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Walnut Grove. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Richard Lawrence VanDeWiele was born on July 19, 1932 in Tracy, MN to George and Elisa (Maeyaert) VanDeWiele. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. On August 9, 1952, Richard was united in marriage to Pearl Johnson. Richard and Pearl were blessed with three children. After their marriage, Richard and Pearl moved to rural Revere and eventually retired in Walnut Grove. Richard made a living farming but always enjoyed going out fishing with his children when they were young. Richard would play ball with them and took them to the cabin almost every Sunday. Richard also loved traveling and riding motorcycle. He liked watching all-star wrestling, going out dancing, camping with his grandchildren, shooting pool, and going on bus tours with Pearl. Richard was also a social member of the Walnut Grove American Legion, and a member of St. Paul Catholic Church where he was active as an usher and a Eucharistic minister.
Richard is survived by Pearl, his wife of 64 years; children: Michael (Carol) VanDeWiele of Revere and Randy (Julie) VanDeWiele of Windom; son-in-law Mark Tanghe; siblings: Maurice (Judy) VanDeWiele and Julie (Jim) Claeys; sisters-in-law: Beverly VanDeWiele and Judy (Carl) Dagner; and many grandchildren; greatgrandchildren; nieces; and nephews. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Becky Tanghe, and siblings: Oscar, Ray, August, Alice, and Mary.
Randy and Julie, Sorry for your loss.
Aunt Pearl, Mike and Randy. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you all.
Cathy (Claeys) Nowariak
No matter how old you are its tough to lose your Dad. My condolences
Denns knapper
Ted Flesner,a blast from the past. I first met Richard and Raymond when we were teenage neighbors back in 1948 when I was cultivating for my uncle Shirley. They each had a tractor and were also cultivating corn. In those days farmers tried to cultivate three or four times a year. During the course of the summer we had a number of chances to stop for a chat, as long as George didn’t see us !, Those are memories I have treasured all these years,though I saw them infrequently.God had a wonderful plan for Pearl and Richard, placing them across the road from each other.God bless the memory of Richard .