Richard Wichterman

Richard Wichterman, 84, died on Friday, February 1, 2008, at Bethany Home, Alexandria MN. Richard Leo Wichterman, the fourth child of Ray and Olive (Froiland) Wichterman, was born March 18, 1923, at Lost Post Office, Plummer MN. He was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Plummer MN. He attended Plummer School system until the 8th grade. Richard was united in marriage to Clara Marie Haupt on February 10, 1944 in Red Lake Falls MN. They were married 55 years at the time of her death in June of 1999. Most of their married life Richard worked in construction in many towns, mostly in ND, SD and MN. He started out working for Ray Wichterman & Sons, road construction with his father on a caterpillar. He operated many heavy equipment machines over the course of his construction career. He loved to do road trips and show his family which bridges he helped build, which towns he had put water and sewer in or which buildings he had dug the footings for. The last job he did was demolish the Glenwood Theatre in Glenwood MN. Richard liked winter ice fishing, gardening, being a hobby farmer, building birdhouses and fish houses and most important spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved sharing stories about his life with the family, and especially when his brothers and sisters got together. They reminded us how good we have it now. He loved to bring out his report cards and show how well he did in school. His children never got tired hearing about the ?Good Old Days.? During his retirement years he enjoyed going to Casinos. He would play a few games, collect a players card and get a token from each of the Casinos he went to. He also enjoyed a good game of BINGO Richard was a member of the Congregational Church of Alexandria, 49rs, and the Operating Engineers. He is survived by five children: Eugene and Karen Wichterman of Mesa AZ, Faye and Gerald Litzinger of Grand Forks ND, Jane and Steven Jenum of Glenwood MN, Ronald Wichterman of Show Low AZ and Randy and Denise Wichterman of Littleton CO: 10 grandchildren Troy and Ryan Wichterman of Mesa AZ; Bryan Litzinger and Renee and Steve Walsh, all of Grand Forks ND; Lorie and David Orlowksi, Taunya Jenum and Jeffrey Jenum, all of Glenwood MN: Rustin and Tara Wichterman and Kristin and Matthew Woodall all of Gilbert AZ; and Taylor Wichterman of Littleton CO; 15 great grandchildren: Ryker, Aidan and Gavin Wichterman, Nicole and Russell Litzinger, Bradley Walsh, Hannah Orlowski, Tarin Jenum, Ethen Solomon, Reuss and Kayla Wichterman and Kyle, Trevor, Casey and Anya Woodall; one sister, Vi and Robert Brietspretcher of Racine WI. and one brother, Arnold and Marian Wichterman of Coon Rapids MN He was preceded in death by his wife: Clara; parents: Ray and Olive Wichterman; one sister, Rose Manke and three brothers, Walter, Donald and Roy. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 2 PM at the United Church of Christ-First Congregational UCC in Alexandria with Reverend Scott Keehn officiating. Musical selections were provided by organist, Diane Alveshere and soloist, Kim Byrne. Pallbearers were his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers were his great-grandchildren. Interment was on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at the Emardville Cemetery, Plummer MN. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.