Richard Paul Wilmes

Richard Paul Wilmes, age 94, of Mankato passed away peacefully at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato on August 1, 2025, after several weeks in hospice care. In his later years, especially after the passing of his beloved wife, Phyllis ‘Skip’ Wilmes, Paul was surrounded by the steadfast love and care of his family, who remained devoted to him through every season of life.

A Memorial Service will be held at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato on Friday, August 8th at 11:00am. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 7th from 5:00-7:00pm with a prayer service at 7pm at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary as well as one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. In accordance with his wishes, Paul donated his body to the Mayo Clinic for medical research and education.

Paul was the eldest of six children born on September 15, 1930, to Agnes (Fischer) and George Wilmes in Mankato. He attended District 53 country school. Paul was united in marriage to Phyllis ‘Skip’ Weber on October 10, 1951, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato. They raised six children, Paul (DeAnn) Wilmes of Inver Grove Heights, Ken (Linda) Wilmes of Mankato, Greg (Maggie O'Reilly) Wilmes of St. Paul, Sue (Ed) Fletcher of Hutchinson, Peggy (Chris) Arce of Mapleton, and Jessica (Antonio) Espinosa of Maplewood and were foster parents to Pamela Jean Lambeau.

Paul was a member of the National Guard and was called to serve in the U.S. Army from 1951-1952 during the Korean War. Following basic training in Alabama, he was posted to Japan where he served as a communications specialist, which he enjoyed sharing about. He attained the rank of Sargeant First Class and was honorably discharged. He was a long-time member of the Eagle Lake American Legion and Mankato Eagles Club. Paul was a faithful parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul Church his entire life and served as an usher for many years.

Paul could fix anything and put those skills to use over his career, working in maintenance departments at several Mankato businesses including Hubbard Mill and Farmland Industries. He also spent some years working independently as a carpenter and handyman. He was generous with his handyman skills, helping his children and many others to keep their homes in a state of good repair. He also generously shared these skills by volunteering at VINE for several years. Paul also built furniture and family treasures that will be cherished for generations. He enjoyed living out in the country where he raised cows and chickens and tended enormous gardens that fed not just their household but often their neighbors and friends.

Later in life he found joy in the simple pleasures of life like a morning cup of coffee, visits by family, and sharing stories and memories. He remained active into his nineties and mentally sharp until the end and was always ready with a bit of gardening wisdom and had a sharp memory about almost any topic you could think to ask him about.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Phyllis ‘Skip’ Wilmes; his son, Greg Wilmes; his parents and brothers, Roger Wilmes, Larry Wilmes, George Wilmes, and Don Wilmes.

He is survived by his children: Paul (DeAnn), Ken (Linda), Sue (Ed) Fletcher, Peggy (Chris) Arce and Jessica (Antonio) Espinosa; daughter-in-law, Maggie O’Reilly; and eleven grandchildren: Ryan, Amanda, Jack, Geoff, Katherine, Ben, Ethan, Josie, Alex, Kolten, and Erasmus; and great-grandchild, Rierdan; his sister, Judy Stuve; brother-in-law, Dick Stuve; sisters-in-law, Marlene Wilmes, Jean Wilmes, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul’s memory to VINE Faith in Action in Mankato.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.