Richard L. “Dick” Lekie

1935-2024

Richard L. “Dick” Lekie, 88, of Medford, town of Greenwood, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 at his home while under the care of Hope Hospice and surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Hemer- Pickerign Funeral Home in Medford with Rev. Nancy Amacher officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m., Saturday at the funeral home.

Dick was born July 2, 1935 in Beloit to Otto and Ruth (Dodge) Lekie. The family moved to Medford when Richard was in third grade and he attended Medford schools.

On Sept. 26, 1959, he married Betty Lou Thompson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Medford. They resided in Medford where Richard worked as a wildland firefighter and forester for the State of Wisconsin DNR, starting out working in the fire towers in Taylor County. He retired in 1994.

A true outdoorsman, Dick enjoyed gardening, fishing, trapping, camping, hunting and racing pigeons. He was a member of the American Racing Pigeon Union, and won many awards over the years. He was also a talented wildlife painter and a musician. Not only could he play the mandolin and the guitar but he could sing too. Over the years, he played in many bands (and made a few CD’s), including the Country Rebels, The 3D’s, Tradition, Backwater Drifters, Big Daddy Chopper and the Feather Pickers, and the Three Amigos to name a few.

Dick will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty of Medford; five children, Terry (Karen) Lekie of Medford; Wendi (Ron) Hoefferle of Cameron, Kalem (Rory) Lekie of McCallen, Texas, Michele (Mickey) Lekie of Medford, Shawn (Val) Lekie of Medford; brother, David (Lynette) Lekie of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister, Bonnie Oleson of Stetsonville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Darlene Thompson of Medford, Rosalie Brost of Medford, Darlene Barker of New Orleans, La., Robert (Sharon) Thompson of Medford, Carol (Patrick) Meyer of Medford; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grands plus one on the way; two great-great-grandchildren; and many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Emeal and Elsie Thompson; brother, Donald (Martha) Lekie; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack Oleson, Lester Thompson, Lyle (Laverne) Huebner, Norbert Brost, William Barker; and two grandsons, Jessie Lekie and Cody Weinke.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and will be designated by the family at a later date.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family.

Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 149330