Richard Rademacher, 73

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Interment will be the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the St. Joseph’s Men’s Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic United Financial, and Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Richard Math Rademacher was born August 4, 1942 at home in Melrose, Minnesota to Virgil and Theresa (Zierden) Rademacher. He grew up on the farm where he was born and attended country school up the hill from the farm until the 8th grade when he attended Melrose Area School, class of 1960. Rich worked two years at Progress Foundries in St. Paul before proudly purchasing his own farm in April of 1966 south of New Munich. Rich married Karen (Wehlage) on November 5, 1966. Rich poured his heart and soul into the family farm where he and Karen proudly raised their five boys. Rich semi-retired in 1995 and moved off the farm to the town of New Munich. Rich may have moved off the farm, but he was still a farmer at heart and would return to the farm daily to help his oldest son John with chores and field work.

Rich was a man of few words who enjoyed farming and spending time with family; especially his grandchildren. Rich also enjoyed spending time in his recliner watching the activity outside, trips with the snowmobile club, fishing, winter spearing and watching Gunsmoke.

Rich was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic United Financial, Knights of Columbus, and the New Munich Snow Gliders.

Rich is survived by his loving wife of 49.5 years, Karen Rademacher of New Munich; five sons, John (Mary) of New Munich, Gary (Tracey) of St. Rosa, Tom (Shelly) of New Munich, Corey (Jessica) of Sauk Rapids, and Karl (Amanda) of Albany; brothers, Harold (Joan), Gene (Betty), Norman, and Chuck (friend Nancy); sisters, Bernice (Ron) Olmscheid, Joyce Yarke, Deb (Phil) Schmiesing; sister-in-law, Diane Rademacher; 14 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Theresa Rademacher; and brother, Leonard “Lenny” Rademacher.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kyle Rademacher, Dustin Rademacher, Brittany Rademacher, Ross Rademacher, Linda Heinze, and Dale Olmscheid. Cross bearer will be Tami Rademacher and scripture bearer will be Jenna Rademacher. Honorary bearers will be the Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic United Financial, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Men’s Society, and the New Munich Snow Gliders.