Loyal Armster "Dick" Abney

Loyal "Dick" Abney, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026, surrounded by the family he cherished. Born on December 15, 1932, Dick often said, "It's a wonderful life," and those who knew him agree that he truly lived one.

The youngest of five boys, Dick was born in Nashville, Wisconsin, after his parents moved from Kentucky following World War I. His father built a small shack on 40 acres, and when Dick was three, the family moved to a farm in Crandon. Growing up on the farm, Dick learned the value of hard work early-milking cows before sunrise, walking a mile and a half to school, and doing everything the old fashioned way, with horses instead of machinery.

After graduating from Crandon High School in 1950, Dick spent a year in college before returning home-thanks in part to a new girl in town, Iola Wiedenhoeft, with whom he quickly fell in love. They married in 1952, beginning a lifelong partnership that lasted 57 years.

Dick's career with the State of Wisconsin began in 1953 as a conservation aide and towerman at the Sugarbush Fire Tower in Crandon. Though the job was seasonal, it sparked a path that would define his professional life. From 1956 to 1969, he served as a conservation aide in Wildlife Management at Wausaukee, where he helped reintroduce fishers and martens to northern Wisconsin and handled the challenges of relocating beavers and managing dams-sometimes with dynamite, always with caution.

He later worked as a ranger dispatcher and continued to assist wardens in field operations. In 1972, due to his deep experience and reliability, Dick was hired as a Wisconsin conservation warden even while still serving as a forest ranger. He successfully balanced both roles until 1977 and continued as a warden until his retirement in 1988. Throughout his 35 year career, he handled countless cases involving illegal hunting, fishing, and timber harvesting, earning great respect for his fairness, calm demeanor, and dedication.

During his career and continuing after retirement, Dick developed enduring friendships and a strong sense of camaraderie among the other wardens-both active and retired. He occasionally hosted gatherings featuring drinks (CC & 7 for Dad!), hearty cookouts, and storytelling, bringing together a community of colleagues who valued one another as family.

Dick was also an accomplished marksman, representing Wisconsin in national pistol competitions and competing at Camp Perry, Ohio, four times. His home den displayed the many medals and trophies he earned over decades of target shooting-an activity he enjoyed for most of his life.

Retirement did nothing to slow him down. Dick poured his energy into family-six children, forty-five grand/great/great great-children-attending their sporting events, school activities, and celebrations. After Iola's passing in 2007, his family became an even deeper source of comfort and purpose.

He remained active in the outdoors, maintaining his property, cutting wood, and attending shooting matches. For over 50 years, Dick volunteered at the Blackbear Sportsman Club, teaching Boy Scouts, supporting the shooting range, grooming snowmobile trails, and securing sponsors and landowner permissions. His contributions shaped the club for generations.

A proud Green Bay Packers fan, he tried to attend at least one game each year, always bringing along grateful family members for the experience.

At 91, Dick shared his secret to longevity: "I keep busy, and I do something every day. I've had a good life, a good wife, good kids, and I'm enjoying it as long as I can." He lived true to those words until the very end.

Dick will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his love of the outdoors, his service to Wisconsin's natural resources, his dry humor, and, above all, his devotion to his family.

He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, generosity, and quiet strength-one that will be cherished by all who knew him.

Dick is survived by:

Children: Dennis (Betty) Abney, Terry Abney-Bane, Janet (Douglas) Hayes, Christine Kincaid, Patrick (Patricia) Abney, Carla (Robert) Menning.

Grandchildren: Jaymi (Jim), Danielle (Greg), Max (Octavia), Michael (Agnes), Lukas (Olga), Ryan, Ben (Sarah), Erica (Jason), Sarah (Nathan), Ashly (Samuel), Stephanie (Clayton), Vincent (Tiffany), Avreal (fiancé Tyler), Anthony (fiancé Emily), Jonathan, Eric, Elly, Raymond.

Great-grandchildren: Amelia, Taylor, Caden, Mason, Alena, Silas, Livia, Edward, Sterling, Calvin, Ashlyn, Keenan, Leo, Wyn, Cassidy, Alexa (Kendall), Ava (fiancé Elliott), Grace, Loyal, Douglas, Scarlet, Satyanna, Conar, Lyla, Parker, Scarlett.

Great-great grandson: Boden

Sister-in-laws: Jeannie Wallker, Antigo WI, Sandra Seehafer, Appleton WI, Barbara Wiedenhoeft, Palo Cedro, CA

Preceded in death by:

Wife: Iola Wiedenhoeft, Parents: Armster & Lily Mae (Derickson) Abney, Brothers: Wenzel, Ira, Winfred and Garland Abney, Son-in-law: Douglas Kincaid Jr., Grandson: Blake Adler