Earl Dicke, 81

Earl Edward Dicke, age 81, of Goodhue, died Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Lake City Care Center.

Earl was born Nov. 26, 1931, in Red Wing to Walter and Amalia (Strusz) Dicke. He grew up on the family farm in Featherstone Township, attended Featherstone and Immanuel Lutheran Schools, and graduated from Red Wing High School in 1949. He worked as a farm hand for several years until joining the U.S. Army in 1952. He served in the Signal Corps in Korea for 16 months until being honorably discharged in 1954. He drove feed truck for a summer and then began working in construction as a carpenter for the next 42 years. He married Betty Muhlman on July 12, 1958, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Belvidere. They lived in the Burnside part of Red Wing prior to moving to her family farm in 1973 in Belvidere Township. Betty passed away on Oct. 9, 2006.

Earl was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Carpenters Local 322, and Red Wing VFW Burnson Lillyblad #1218. He enjoyed living on the farm, making wood projects in his shop, his antique John Deere tractor, watching the MN Vikings and Twins, Friday night fish frys, drives in the country, and most of all, spending time with his brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He is survived by three children, Teresa (Alan) Jacobson of Apple Valley, Susan (Rick) Benish of Stillwater, Steven (Sheila Holm) Dicke of St. Paul; nine grandchildren; two brothers, Wilbert (Gwen) of Red Wing, Kermit (Angie) of Lake City; three sisters, Verna Schrader of Red Wing, Francis Fitschen of Lake City, Doris (Howard) Swanson of Maple Grove.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; one brother, Donald Dicke; and one sister, Viola Rohe.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Belvidere with Reverend Scott Fiege officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Leo C. Peterson Post #54 will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, and also for 1 hour prior to the service on Tuesday at church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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