March 16, 1928 – Monday, February 17, 2014
Service Information
St. Michael Catholic Church
Saturday, February 22. 2014
11:00 AM
Visitation Information
St. Michael Catholic Church
Friday, February 21, 2014
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Ralph W. Dick, age 85 of St. Michael, MN left this earth peacefully on Feb 17, 2014 at CentraCare Health in Monticello, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at 11 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Michael, MN.
Visitation from 4-8 PM on Friday & one hour prior to Mass all at the church. Interment St. Michael Cemetery, St. Michael, MN.
Ralph was born March 16, 1928 in St. Michael, MN, the son of Lambert & Mollie (Gutzwiller) Dick.
He graduated from St. Thomas Academy. Upon completing 2 years of business school he joined his father & brother Lloyd to carry on the legacy of the beer business of Dick Beverage Company which Lambert established in 1933. Ralph’s grandfather, Hubert William Dick, was part owner of Eagle Brewing, ending in 1919 with Prohibition. Ralph was a good businessman, his leadership & sound work ethics in the beer industry is now carried on into the 5th generation. He was a long time active member of the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association.
Ralph & Letitia Zachman were united in holy marriage on May 20, 1950 at St. Michael Catholic Church. The couple resided in St. Michael, MN. God blessed their marriage with nine children. Ralph was a faithful life long active member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Catholic Aid, Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Michael Legion Post #567 & the St. Michael Foundation. He honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1951-1953. Ralph thoroughly enjoyed entertaining & creating many great memories with relatives & friends.
Survivors include his devoted & loving wife of 64 years, Letitia; children, Nancy (Dave) Hancock, Gregg (Leslie) Dick, Mary (Paul) Hackenmueller, Sharon (Larry) Jude, Mike (Michelle) Dick, Patty (Jeff) Plude, David Dick, Tom (Bonnie) Dick & Joe (fiancé, Jodi) Dick; 24 grandchildren & 13 great-grandchildren: Mike Hancock, Lance (Heather) Hancock & son, Oliver, Blake (Tamara) Hancock & daughter, Talla, Elliot (Allee) Hancock, Chris (Daryl) Boeckers & children, Marcus & Madelyn, Michelle (Aaron) Stupar & sons, Chase & Carson; Kim (Bryan) Thayer & daughter, Aubrey, Vince (Jessica) Hackenmueller & children, Summer, Zachery & Brady, Brian (fiancé, Amanda) Hackenmueller, Eric (Christina) Hackenmueller & expected son, Nick Jude, Ashley (Matt) Hanson & expected daughter, Letitia Jude, Jacob Dick, Ben Dick, Adam (Keri) Plude & daughter, Hayley, Andrew (Brittany) Plude, Brittany (fiancé Joe) Plude, Daniel Dick, Sara Dick, Megan Dick, Isabel Dick, Aly Heurung & Riley Heurung, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Lambert & Mollie Dick, brother, Lloyd Dick, sister-in-law, Rita Dick, brother-in-law, Lowell Zachman & infant grandson, Ken Hackenmueller.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the St. Michael rectory building fund.
All of us at the Adult Day Center truly send our condolences to the family of Ralph. He was our friend, our smile for the day and very often the light that a person needed. His smile and great sense of humor will truly be missed.
Truly a great honor to know this great man! Never did I see Ralph without that special grin he has and he always made me feel like part of their great family. My best thoughts and prayers go out to my best friend Vince and his family.
Paul,Mary,Brian,and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Ralph sounds like a man we would have liked to have known. That must be where Brian gets it from. Especially the grin.
I just received word of Ralph’s passing. My love and prayers are with all of you. I taught at the High School for six years (Sister Romaine) and got to know many of the family. Special greetings to David who I got to know the best. Remember your foot reflexology treatments? I came back years later and did this work. Your family always impressed me and I know you will miss your Husband-Dad. Again, my sympathy and prayers.
We met Ralph after moving to Hanover 5-1/2 years ago and are grateful to have known this gentle man who welcomed us to the community. He showed so much love and compassion toward people who were going through difficulties, yet he always had an upbeat and positive attitude. What a wonderful example he showed us of how to live each day with an attitude of gratitude. We will always remember the twinkle in his eye and his infectious giggle. He will be missed.
Ralph was a man of honor,he always made everyone feel welcome. No matter what kind of day you were having .Ralph’s smile would change your day. We will truly miss Ralph. Toni & Jake Carlson Brainerd,MN.
Your friends from the Monday night group will always remember your serenity,courage and wisdom. We are grateful you were a part of our group for so many years. We will keep Tish and the Dick family in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
My sympathy to the Ralph Dick family. My utmost respect to Ralph as a businessman and community member of St. Michael. I’m glad to have known him.
our condolences to the Ralph Dick families..Our prayers to each and everyone.Ralph will be missed by all. He was fun to be around…..Larry & Louise