Richard J. "Dick" KULASZEWICZ

FUNERAL HOME

Mueller-Bies Funeral Home - Roseville Chapel

2130 N. Dale Street

Roseville, Minnesota

Richard KULASZEWICZ Obituary

Name: Visitation for Richard J. "Dick" KULASZEWICZ
Start: 2023-10-04T10:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-10-04T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Church of St. Pius X

Age 91, of Lino Lakes Formerly of Biwabik Passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 29, 2023. Dick was born in Gilbert, MN on August 4, 1932, to parents, Joseph and Anne. He is preceded in death by son-in-law, Roger Weaver. Survived by wife of 66 years, Dolores (Gajeski); daughters, Gail Weaver & Gwen Kulaszewicz; grandchildren, Jared, Jessica, Megan (Erik), Michelle, Alicia (Jeremiah), Coleton; great grandchildren, Lily, Caden & Penelope. Dick retired from the Metropolitan Council after 40 years and served on the Lino Lakes city council. He enjoyed watching sports and playing drums in the Biwabik marching band. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Wednesday, October 4 at THE CHURCH OF ST. PIUS X, 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake. Visitation at the church on Wednesday from 10-11 AM. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Park. MUELLER-BIES 651-487-2550

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Published by Pioneer Press on Oct. 1, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard KULASZEWICZ

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

3 Entries

Michael Nevala, White Bear Lake, MN

October 3, 2023

Dick was the "go to guy" at all levels of the Metropolitan Council whether it was to fix something at the headquarters building or to access people at the highest positions. His political influence and finesse were legendary and totally essential for AFSCME, particularly at the annual Day-on-the-Hill lobbying events. Dick was energetic, engaging, experienced and an enjoyment to all. He has been missed for years at the Council and now, with his passing, will be forever missed.

Mike Kuehn

October 3, 2023

It's become apparent I will not be able to attend Dick's services on Wednesday. I'm the sole caregiver for my 98 year old mom who has dementia. If I could have attended this is what I would have mentioned at the open mic following the service. Dick was one of my very best friends since we met at the Metro Council in 1975. As soon as I learned he was an active Democrat who grew up on the Iron Range we became soul brothers! In the 48 years I knew Dick I never heard him say anything unkind about anyone, nor did I ever hear a soul say one unpleasant word about Dick! He was one of the most caring and likeable persons in the world! With Dick's strong Catholic faith as a guide and the way he lived his life, I have no doubt when he passed last week that St. Peter met him with the full main Pearly Gate wide open and St. Peter said come right in in, Dick, with a big hug! This image has helped me feel ok losing Dick as he is receiving his just personal reward and will.do great in Heaven!!

I want to relate three stories about Dick, although I could easily tell 300. In 1987 and 1991 when the Twins got into the World Series, Dick's friendships with Bill Lester and Ron Gornick, the chair of the Sports Commission and an Iron Ranger made Dick very popular as Dick was inundated with Met Council staff asking for help getting tickets. Dick drive those two guy's nuts as he gave his full energy, which always was a lot, to get tickets for everyone. I think he came up with more than 50 sets of tickets. I'm not even sure Dick went to any Works Series games himself but he wanted to make sure all his friends and co-workers got to see games. For years he also had a direct line to Janice at the Sports Commission during regular games to get Met Council parking in the lot right next to the Metrodome. In fact, Dick's bugging of Bill Lester for game parking so much, Bill finally just told Janice when Dick calls there's no.need to get it authorized by me, just give Dick the parking he needs!!

The second little story is about Dick, the food snob. I lunched with Dick and Julie Meadows for years. One day at the Chinese food service at Galtier Plaza (I still don't know what they call it now), Dick would usually point to one of the food entrees that looked good to him, but never read the sign saying what it was. So he gets his tray and we sit down to eat. Dick takes a bite and doesn't say anything, but I could tell he didn't like the bite. After his second bite Duck says "What the heck is this? It tastes like rotten fish" as he spits the food out. I then remember reading one menu choice! It was tofu!!! When Julie and I told Dick what he had bought he was done eating! We all had a good laugh and brought it up every time Dick ordered at the Chinese counter! If anyone ever writes a book about Dick or the Iron Range, the title just has to be "Real Rangers don't eat tofu"!!!

The final story is about Dick and the cell phone. In the early days of cell phones Duck was one of the first employees to have one. This was also when the Metro area expanded to 4 area codes. One day at lunch, Dick pulls out his phone to call a state legislative friend he knew from DFL politics, Joe Mullery. I wasn't really paying much attention, but after Dick dialed Mullery's number twice, he.mentioned.he thought his phone was broke. Once he told us this, Julie suggested maybe he was dialing the wrong area code as Mullery.lived in Minneapolis and may have a 612 area code. As Dick always moved at the speed of light, before he took the area code adjustment into consideration he dialed the same number again! But this time we heard him asking the person on the line why they were in Mullery's phone!! Finally we got Dick to understand the significance of new area codes and had some good laughs over it!

Memories like these and all the great times and fun I had with Dick will sustain my spirit with wonderful thoughts until the day I depart this earth. Dick was one of a kind in such a warm and caring way. I'll miss you, Dickie, forever, but thanks for being such a great friend and wonderful person!!

Mike Delmont

October 1, 2023

Thank you for your many years as a mentor to me and Virginia during our service in the MN House of Reps and on the campaign trail. RIP my friend.

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