Richard E. "Dick" Landwehr

Richard E. “Dick” Landwehr of Sheboygan died peacefully Monday, July 25 at the age of 83, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Sheboygan to Eric and Helen Landwehr on September 3, 1932. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Yvonne Borree. Together they raised four children and shared 59 wonderful years. Dick lost his beloved Vonnie just a few months ago, and they are now resting peacefully together.

An avid and lifelong Badger fan, Dick held a special place in his heart for UW-Madison, where he was a member of the Delta Sig fraternity and from which he graduated with a business degree in 1955. He was extremely proud to send all of his children there to study. His love for his alma mater is commemorated with a stone on the Memorial Union Terrace.

Dick loved anything that started with the Star Spangled Banner, especially Badgers, Packers and Brewers games. He was a voracious consumer of newspapers, and read the Sheboygan Press, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today every day. He loved the game of golf mainly for the friendships it brought to his life, and scored a hole-in-one on Town & Country’s 14th hole.

Dick was a kind, gracious, loyal and humble man. He worked his entire career in the grocery industry for Schultz Sav-0, and savored life’s simple pleasures: Dairy Queen blizzards, all flavors and varieties of pie, a good game – especially Sheepshead, sharing time with close friends, quiet family conversations and overseeing larger family gatherings from his favorite chair.

Above all, Dick treasured time spent with his children and grandchildren, including visits from grand dogs and a great-grand turtle. In the face of advancing years and the challenges of Parkinson's disease he showed tremendous grace and courage, and never more so than in the last few months after Vonnie’s death.

Dick never let anyone leave without saying his signature line, “thank you for coming.” Yet it is the family he leaves behind that offers its enduring love and thanks to him. He is survived by children Martha (Doug) Leppanen, Laura (Patrick) Planton, Robert (Karen) Landwehr and David (Ann) Landwehr; grandchildren Elizabeth (Brad) Frias, Katherine (Luke) Schroeder, John Leppanen, Grace Leppanen, Eric Landwehr, Eleanor Landwehr and Emily Landwehr; and brother John Landwehr. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and great-grandson Patrick Schroeder. A great-grandson, Baby Boy Frias, will be joining the world in a matter of days and will no doubt be ushered in by two very special guardian angels.

As he was a lifelong member of Elks Lodge #299 and a member of the Elks National Foundation, donations in Dick’s memory can be made to the Elks Lodge Athletic Scholarship Fund, Elks Lodge #299, 1943 Erie Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53081. Please direct contributions to the attention of Bill Richards, Gridiron Committee. Memorial contributions can also be made to Sharon Richardson Hospice, W2850 WI-28, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085.

A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Dick’s arrangements.

The family would like to thank the many friends and extended family members who visited and cared for Dick during the last few months, including the staff at Pine Haven in Sheboygan Falls. A special thank you goes out to the staff at the Sharon Richardson Hospice for their kindness and compassion in caring for both Dick and Vonnie, and for making Dick’s final day of life comfortable and peaceful.