Dick E. Mars Obituary (1922 - 2011)

Dick E. Mars, age 89, passed away peacefully at his Harlingen, TX home on June 6, 2011. His loving wife of 68 years, Mary, was by his side. Dick was born February 22, 1922 at home, in Spring Brook Township, Dunn County, WI. As a teen during the depression he rode the rails with a friend to work on a ranch in Montana. He graduated in 1939 from the Dunn County School of Agriculture, found work with the CCC program and later with Stoner's Manufacturing in Aurora, IL. Dick married Mary Orso on October 17, 1942 in Menomonie, WI. Drafted that same year, he served as a medic in the US Army stationed near London, England during WW II. Under the GI Bill, he became a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker - spending 22 years with Hovland and going on to become a Business Agent for the Sheetmetal Union in NE/SE Wisconsin until his retirement. An avid fisherman and hunter, he enjoyed his travels to hunt antelope in Wyoming as well as fishing in Lake Superior, on Padre Island and at National Parks. Dick did much of the construction on the family cabin at Pigeon Lake in Drummond, WI. In 1982, he and Mary began to split their time between Wisconsin and Texas. In 2006, they became full time Texas residents. Dick took up wood carving in retirement and taught classes at Lakewood Village. His pieces were sold through The Gallery in Cable, WI. Dick was green before green became popular, always recycling and reusing as well as serving on State of Wisconsin Energy Conservation Boards. He was active in Masonic Lodge 112 and a life member of VFW Post 305 in Eau Claire, WI. He also was a staunch Democrat, except for General Eisenhower, and supporter of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Until health prevented, he and Mary enjoyed many years of both square and round dancing in the Valley. Dick served as 1st President of the Lakewood Village Association. He loved to go up for coffee at the Hall, especially to visit with other WWII vets. Dick served on the Board at Grace Lutheran Church in Harlingen. He and Mary participated in the church Pew Partner program with Ernie. As a Host tutor at Stuart Place Elementary, he enjoyed helping children improve their reading skills for 20 years. In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by a daughter Sandra MacLaughlin (John), Rochester, MN and son Kevin (Miki Fritz) Osseo, WI, two granddaughters, Kathy MacLaughlin (Mike Augustin) Rochester, MN and Amy Blackstone (Lance) Bangor, ME, two great grandchildren (Joshua and Emily), sister Arlene McClelland (Maynard), Glenwood City, WI , sister-in-law Lena Williams, St. James, MO and many nieces and nephews. His parents Anna Henrickson and Bert C. Mars, two brothers Bud and George, and a sister Vivian preceded him in death. Special thanks to his loving care givers Alma Pena, Sylvia Fernandez, Maria Gomez and Maria's daughter Claudia who assisted Dick in his last months of life. Dick's family will forever be grateful for their compassion and care. A memorial service was held in Texas on June 9, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI with burial in Waneka Cemetery, Twp. Spring Brook, Dunn Co., WI. There will be visitation at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. May he rest in peace. Memorial donations to the family will be used to purchase books for the Stuart Place HOST program.