Obit: Tlusty, Richard J. (1928 - 2013)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Leitzke, Lunda, McLain, Reinhard, Roal, Tlusty

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 02/07/2013

Tlusty, Richard J. (18 AUG 1928 - 4 FEB 2013)

Richard J. Tlusty, age 91, of Merrill, died on February 4, 2013, at Bell Tower Residence under the care of Bell Tower staff and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Rich was born at home on August 18, 1928 in Whittlesey, the son of Ferdinand and Teckla (Reinhard) Tlusty. He attended Winding Brook Elementary School where his brother, Lawrence, was his teacher.

Rich graduated from Medford High School in 1939. On September 10, 1949, Rich married Marjorie Roal, the love of his life, of Medford, at St. John the Baptist Church in Rib Lake. Marjorie preceded Rich in death on February 3, 1999.

Rich drove semi and route truck for Tlusty Beverage Company until moving to Merrill in the early 1950s. Rich was then employed with the H. Phillips Company in Wausau. He was a very accomplished salesman for the H. Phillips Company for 38 years, having won many local and regional awards. After his retirement in 1987, he worked part-time for several candy companies, bringing plenty of samples home to his granddaughters.

Rich was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill. He was a charter member of the Merrill Evening Lions Club and a lifetime member of the Merrill Eagles Club. Rich was also a longtime member of the Lincoln Stockmen's Club and a member of Lindy Porath's Clark Station bowling teams in the 1960s.

He enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers baseball games and Wisconsin Badgers football games. His most enjoyable hobby, however, was being with his granddaughters and attending all of their piano recitals, dance shows, concerts, sporting events, confirmations and graduations. Until it was too difficult to attend, he made great efforts to be at all their events.

In addition to his wife, he is also preceded in death by an infant son, Jerald, on September 16, 1959. He was also preceded in death by his seven brothers and one sister, George, Ernest, Lawrence, Walter, Allen, Loretta, Leon and Franklin.

Rich is survived by his son, Jay Tlusty, of Merrill, his wife, Maxine, and their two daughters, Melanie Tlusty (Mark Lunda) and Michelle Tlusty. He is also survived by Amanda Leitzke, of Merrill; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and three sisters-in-law, Margaret Tlusty and Bernice Tlusty, of Medford, and Betty Tlusty, of Chelsea. His entire family was very important to him and Rich enjoyed seeing and staying in contact with everyone in his family.

A special thank you to Gloria Sauer for her special care given to Rich over many years. Rich and his family greatly appreciated Gloria's outstanding home care abilities and loving care.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Merrill. Father Michael McLain will preside. Entombment will take place at Merrill Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, and again from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Friday, all at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home in Merrill.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.