Richard Lawrence "Dick" Wiedenfeld

1938 - 2025

Richard Lawrence "Dick" Wiedenfeld Godfrey, IL - Richard (Dick) Lawrence Wiedenfeld, 86, passed away on Saturday, March 1, at Meridian Village Memory Care, in Glen Carbon, Illinois, surrounded by family.

Dick was born on October 23, 1938, in Keyesville, Wisconsin, to Herbert and Evelyn (Elmer) Wiedenfeld. He was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville, Wisconsin. He was confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Dick attended Watertown High School.

Dick had three children with his first wife, Janet Fredrick. Dick married Kathleen Klockow on November 23, 1974. The couple made their home in Godfrey, Illinois, where they had two daughters. They proudly celebrated fifty years of love, life and laughter in November 2024.

Dick joined the US Air Force on January 13, 1956, and ended his service on January 12, 1962. He also served in the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard for many years. His love of aviation and planes remained with him his entire life.

Dick spent most of his professional career working in agribusiness for Woods-Tisco, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, working as a regional sales manager, servicing hundreds of agricultural small business owners throughout five states in the Midwest. Dick was known for his ability to recall thousands of parts and part numbers for any agricultural implement, make, or model. He was proud to help farmers keep their farm equipment running, to avoid expensive new machinery purchases.

From an early age, Dick played in local bands for dances in and around the Watertown area. He played the drums, tuba, piano, and accordion. He will be remembered for his impromptu accordion "kitchen sessions" and playing at family parties. He loved practicing in his music room. After retirement, Dick played the tuba for New Horizons Orchestra in Alton, Illinois, offering several concerts each year.

Dick was known for his grilling prowess, pancakes, chocolate malts, and especially for his traumatizing sense of humor to the uninitiated. He loved to feed people. He also loved family pets and is the only man we know brave enough to wash cats Sylvester and Fluffy, weekly, in the kitchen sink, shirtless. Dick and Kathy enjoyed traveling, dancing, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Kathy, Dick is survived by his children Daniel (Janet) Wiedenfeld; Pamela (David) Seelman; Nicole (Joshua) Miguel; Sherry (Michael) Wibben; and daughter-in-law Connie Wiedenfeld. Dick has six grandchildren, Dawn Wiedenfeld, Stephen Connor and Madeline Healey, Jacob and Morgan Wibben, and Logan Wiedenfeld. He also has numerous nieces and nephews. He was deeply loved and will be missed by almost everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by both his parents, son Thomas Wiedenfeld, brothers Donald and Robert Wiedenfeld, and best friend, Eugene Zautner.

A celebration of life will be held for Dick in Watertown, Wisconsin, this summer.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the EverTrue Meridian Village Benevolent Care that supports older adults who outlive their financial resources at:

EverTrue Advancement

1150 Hanley Industrial Ct.

St. Louis, MO 63144