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TRUMAN -- Richard Erwin Gottschalk was called to his heavenly home Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at his winter home in Franklin, Wis., surrounded by his family. A celebration of life for him will be held 2 p.m. on June 3, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Truman, Minn.
Richard was born May 18, 1945, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Martin and Mercedes Gottschalk. Richard was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pomeroy, Iowa. Richard began his Christian education at Immanuel Lutheran School in Pomeroy, attended Concordia Academy, then Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn., earning his Bachelor of Science degree. He married his wife, Jeanne Meyer, in 1967. Richard began his career at Immanuel Lutheran School in Perryville, MO., where he became known as "Mr. G," a title he carried the remainder of his life. Richard received his master's degree in elementary administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Following Perryville, Richard served the following parishes: principal/teacher at Zion Lutheran in Linn, Kan., St. John Lutheran in Newhall, Iowa, Trinity Lutheran in Alma, Mo., St. Paul Lutheran in Latimer, Iowa, St. Paul Lutheran in Truman, Minn., Trinity Lutheran in Oshkosh, Wis., and retired from Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran in Milwaukee, Wis. He devoted his working life to teaching Jesus' lambs, spanning nearly 50 years. His hobbies were numerous: photography, woodworking, radio-controlled airplanes, drones but none so dear to his heart as riding his Gold Wing with Jeanne in the lower 48 states and Canada. A close 2nd joy was fishing with his grandchildren. Richard is survived by his cherished wife, Jeanne; children, Theodore "TJ" (Lisa) Gottschalk, Katrina (Tom) Gottschalk Goetz; "borrowed" children, Dean Berkbigler (Dot), and Kristi Behne and son, Ryan; grandchildren, Alida (Dramos) Karterin, Nathaniel and Dominic Gottschalk, Micah, Annabell and Caspian Goetz; sisters, Rebecca (Ken) Rassler of Rembrant, Iowa, and Donna Lei (Les) Reinert of Urbana, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Lucy; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Mercedes Gottschalk; in-laws, Henry and Norma Meyer, Laurie Benoit and Norman Meyer; several aunts and uncles. The family would like to thank Aurora Hospice for their assistance in permitting him to remain at home as he passed. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard's name can be made to St. Paul Lutheran School in Truman, Martin Luther High School in Northrop, Minn. or a parochial school of your choice. You can share memories or pictures by connecting to: thelifeofrichard.com