Richard "Dick" Follman

1936 - 2025

Richard "Dick" Follmann passed away on Feb. 24, 2025 at the Heritage House in Atlantic.
Richard "Dick" Dean Follmann, youngest child of Clarence and Mary (Wickey) Follmann, was born April 9, 1936 on the family farm east of Massena. He attended Massena #7 rural school and graduated from Massena High School in the Class of 1953. Dick completed the Farm Operations course at Iowa State University and worked at Sidles in Omaha until returning home to farm. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Beulah Pond in 1957 at the First Lutheran Church north of Cumberland. Together they had five children.
Farming was Dick's passion. Buying neglected farms and improving them was something that he did many times. He installed ponds, miles of tile and many terraces. He was a firm believer in utilizing no-till farming practices to preserve the soil. In addition to row crops, he raised hogs and cattle. Dick loved his John Deere farm equipment and Pioneer seed. When he retired from farming, selling his red Angus cows was one of the most difficult things that he had to do.
Dick believed in giving back to his local community. When not tending to his farms, Dick served on many area boards including the Massena Coop, Massena Telephone Company, Cass County ASCS, and the Board of Directors of the Farmers Savings Bank of Massena. He was a charter member of the Massena Lions Club and served in many roles in his lifelong church, the Massena United Methodist Church. He also donated over 14 gallons of blood at local blood drives.
Dick loved to travel. He and Beulah visited every state in the USA and several foreign countries. He enjoyed trying new foods (he loved to eat!) and experiencing the local culture. The trip to Germany to meet some distant cousins was one of his favorite international trips.
Dick was also a lifelong Iowa State Cyclone fan. He enjoyed cheering on the ISU football and basketball teams; especially in recent years as they've had really good teams!
And Dick loved his family. He loved watching his children and grandchildren's sporting events and school activities and getting to know his six great-grandchildren. He loved to take vacation trips with the family, He also enjoyed a competitive pitch or dominoes game. And more than anything he loved to laugh. He enjoyed life.
Left to cherish his memory is Beulah, his wife of 67 years, and four children: April Hoeck (Bert) of Atlantic, Doug Follmann (Mona) of Stanhope, Lori Westphal (Scott) of Kalispell, Montana and Linda Bower (Brian) of Massena. They have four grandchildren: Andrew Follmann (Kylie) of Story City, Nicole Follmann (fiancé Wale Olukayode), Brooklyn, NY, Kelsey Eade (Nick), St Joseph, Mo., and Erin Obermeier (Corey), Adel, and six great-grandchildren: Quincy Follmann, Connor Follmann, Lauren Eade, Lucas Eade, Makena Obermeier and Kaden Obermeier. He is also survived by his sister Ramona Wright of Villisca and several nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Mary Follmann; brother Howard Follmann; son Craig Follmann; mother and father-in-law Glenn and Irene Pond; sister-in-law Bev (Pond) Raser and brothers-in-law Carl Raser, Dick Wright, and Robert Pond.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Massena with burial in the Massena Center Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial. Pastor Karen Patrick will officiate the service.
Open Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the United Methodist Church in Massena from 2 to 7 p.m. The family will greet friends on Thursday evening at the United Methodist Church in Massena from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Richard "Dick" Follmann Memorial Fund to be established at a later date.
The Lamb Funeral Home in Massena is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.