Obit: Quast, Richard Frederick (1940 - 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Quast, Meier, Krause, Heiman, Sebesta, Wilson, Sisson, Lesch, Irwin, Henderson, Julga, Koerner, Frei, Olp, Glassbrenner, Trunkel, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/26/2017

Quast, Richard Frederick (13 November 1940 – 21 April 2017)

Richard Quast, 76, of Neillsville passed away Friday, April 21, 2017, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau.

Richard Frederick Quast was born Nov. 13, 1940, in Neillsville, the son of Frederick and Dorthy (Meier) Quast. He attended Fairview Elementary and Neillsville High School, graduating in 1958. He then went on to UW-River Falls. While attending college, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Krause Aug. 19, 1961, in Granton.

Dick obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from River Falls, graduating in 1962. He then taught vocational ag in Burke, SD, from 1962 to 1964. They returned to Neillsville, and Dick taught vocational ag at Neillsville High School. During this time, he earned his Master’s degree from UW-River Falls in 1968. Eventually, Dick became vice principal of the high school, and he also served as business manager of the school district. In 1982, he became the school superintendent, now known as the district administrator. He retired in 1997.

In his spare time, Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and spending time at “The Pond” feeding the fish. He enjoyed looking for deer, running “errands,” fantasy football, the Brewers, going to grandchildren’s sporting events, coaching Little league baseball, refereeing wrestling matches, and spending time with his great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; four children, JaNel (Mark) Heiman of Neillsville, LaNae (Randy) Sebesta of Bloomington, IL, Tim (Tracey) Quast of Mosinee and DeOna (Rob) Wilson of Neillsville; foster children, Jaye Sisson of North Carolina, Sharon Lesch of Mukwonago, and JoAnne Irwin-Henderson of Montana; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Elaine Quast.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Robert.

Funeral services for Dick were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert officiated. Music was provided by Judy Trunkel organist. Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery at a later date.

Honorary Casketbearers were Kamden Julga, Raelyn Koerner, Raymond Wilson, Kylie Sebesta and Oliver Frei.

Casketbearers were: Daniel Heiman, Matthew Heiman, Scott Sebesta, Ben Koerner, Gunner Quast, Kyle Wilson, Ethan Frei, Jake Olp, and Tom Glassbrenner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Dick’s family with funeral arrangements.