Richard Rexrode, Sr. passed away Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 after a bout with pneumonia. He was 89 years old. Except for a few set backs and jaunts to the hospital for various ailments over the last few years, he was happy and proud to live fairly independently in his home. He received help from both sons as well as from kind neighbors and friends including a special couple across the street, Mike and Renae Kautzer.
Richard enjoyed traveling well into his eighties; he drove to Alabama twice a year to visit his daughter, Kate and her family. To attend the Rexrode Family reunion, he made many heritage road trips to Virginia, with son, Rick, and grandson, Andrew. Richard also enjoyed going to Green Bay with son, Rob, to watch the Green Bay girls’ basketball team. In addition, with ownership in a cottage at English Lake, Richard enjoyed spending time and having cookouts with family and friends every summer.
Richard was preceded in death by wife Joanne (née Wilfer) Rexrode, his brother, Kennie Rexrode, Jr. and Kennie’s wife, Jeanne (née Davis) Rexrode. He leaves behind, 3 children, Rick (Richard Jr.), Rob, and Kate. Rick’s wife is Sarah Tyner (Beaver Dam, WI), and their 2 children are Alex (Verona , WI) and Andrew (Milwaukee, WI). Alex’s wife is Sarah (née Dejewski) and they have three children: Theo, Will and baby Kate. Rob’s wife is Terri (née Yindra) and their son is Nick. The couple lives in Denmark , WI, while Nick attends UW-Madison. Kate’s husband is Greg Smith and their children are Ben and Margot of Alabaster, AL. Richard is further survived by sister-in-law Dolores Gasiorowski, nieces and nephews, many special friends and neighbors.
Richard was born in 1932, at a private residence in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1945, Richard, brother Kennie and their parents (Kennie Sr. And Belle (Fortune) moved to rural Riley on an 80-acre farm. The 80 acres of farmland included 20 acres of established apple orchard. Richard was active in spraying and harvesting of the apples for many years.
Richard was involved in scouting as a youth, participating in camp activities at Camp Krietenstein located approx. 15 miles east of Terre Haute south of I-70.
Richard attended Riley School from the 8th through 12th grade, graduating from high school in 1950. Richard played high school basketball for the Riley High School Cossacks. As a senior in high school, Richard joined the Indiana Air Reserve. He attended Rose Polytechnic (Hulman) Institute following high school until called for active duty at Camp Atterbury, Columbus, IN. Tours of duty in the Air Force include active service at Lawson Air Base connected with Ft. Benning, Columbus, GA in support of the airborne and troop carrier planes during the Korean War. Richard is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1950 – 1953.
In the spring of 1954, Richard arrived in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to assist with the operation of a Dairy Queen at 35th St. and Calumet Avenue, owned by his Aunt Mary (Belle Fortune’s sister) and Uncle Morris Whiteside. Richard met Joanne Theresa Wilfer at the service counter of this Dairy Queen.
Richard married Joanne on June 30, 1956 at St. Paul Catholic Church located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Richard began employment at Mirro Aluminum Company (production of numerous aluminum cookware products and sports fishing boats) in November 1954 in the engineering department. Richard completed an Associate degree apprenticeship from the Acme School of Tool and Die Design from 1955-57. While employed at Mirro Company during the 1960’s, Richard was an Engineer (tool and die, and fixtures) in the Boat Division. In 1970, he was assigned as Process Engineer responsible for all of the layout of paperwork for the tooling and production of multiple products produced by the company. Richard was an active member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers, serving as Chairman of the local chapter in 1986. Richard and Joanne traveled extensively throughout the Midwest while active in SME for many of his professional years.
Richard designed and built the family residence in 1964-65 located on the South side of Manitowoc.
Richard was active in scouting (Boy and Cub) the better part of the 1970’s, serving on numerous committees of the Bay Lakes Council. In addition to council functions, Richard was active with the Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack, serving as Cub Master for a number of years, chartered by St. Paul School, where both sons participated in the scouting program.
Richard lost Joanne on January 21, 2004, following her six-year battle with stomach cancer.Richard will be buried beside Joanne in Calvary Cemetery in Manitowoc.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 South 14th Street, Manitowoc.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Noon on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be Deacon Alan Boeldt. Richard will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Manitowoc, and military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 88 of Manitowoc.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com. The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the Rexrode family with funeral arrangements.
The family wishes to thank the many Aurora Doctors, nurses and support staff who cared for Dad the past four years. Special thanks to BayCare Eye Clinic, Shady Lane, Homecare Health Service and last but not least, the kind and compassionate care provided in Dad’s final days by Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center employees and Advocate Aurora hospice staff.
