Richard A. Ketchum

Richard "Dick" A. Ketchum, age 78, of Rudolph, WI passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.
Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Deacon Jerry Ruesch will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post 485. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home.
Richard was born in Wisconsin Rapids on May 30, 1944 to Arvel and Elaine (Fritsche) Ketchum. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963. His marriage to Elizabeth Hendricks ended in divorce. On November 30, 1978 he was united in marriage to Roberta Smith (nee Braun).
He joined the Army National Guard and served for six years. He was a member of American Legion Post 485 in Rudolph. During his early years he enjoyed stock car racing and making the circuit with friends and helping Dick Trickle with his cars.
Richard was employed by Consolidated Papers Inc./Stora Enso as an AC Pipefitter for 42 years, and spent the majority of his time working in the Biron mill. He retired in 2007. He also farmed and ran beef cattle. He enjoyed driving and working on all of his tractors and machinery, making his daily trips "around the block"; stopping to chat with the neighbors, and feeding and watching the birds.
He was an avid bear hunter for many years and spent many summers up north training and hunting with the dogs, his boys, and many friends. He looked forward to his trips to South Dakota pheasant hunting with a great group of friends. He also enjoyed trap shooting for many years.
Richard is survived by his wife, Bobbie; children: Steven (Karen) Ketchum of Rudolph, Becky Ketchum of Wisconsin Rapids, Paul (Sue) Smith of Stewartville, MN, Mike (Linda) Smith of Wisconsin Rapids, and Christine (Steven) DeRoo of Junction City; grandchildren: Steven (Anna) Smith and Jeff (Brittany) Smith of Minnesota, Amber (Don) Kitowski and Jake Smith of Wisconsin Rapids, Cassidy (Bram) Downs of Stevens Point, Parker DeRoo of Tempe, AZ, and Amanda (Grant) McDonald and Collin Ketchum of Watertown, WI; and great-grandchildren: Avry, Brylee, Lily, Zoey, Brantley, Meadow, Fia, and Grayson and one on the way. He is further survived by daughter-in-law Sherie Sheeks; sister Jean (Walt) Knuteson, brother Arlan Ketchum; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Arvel and Elaine; brother David; uncles Wally and Robert; and in-laws Walter and Carreen Braun.