Richard Dinauer

Richard Charles Dinauer, age 91, passed away on July 4, 2015 at St. Mary's Care Center. He was born on September 28, 1923 in South Milwaukee and was the second oldest of seven children. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Oak Creek leaving at the age of 19 to serve in World War II. Richard spent a year of training in the Army Specialized Training Program at Kansas State College before his service in the 97th Infantry Division through 1946. He fought in Europe and served in Japan as part of the post-war occupation. His contributions were recognized with the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

Richard went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the GI bill where he studied soil science, graduating in 1949. His first job was at the Bureau of Reclamation in Huron, SD. He always fondly remembered his three years as a ‘hole digger’. Later work took him to Merrill, WI and then Madison where he worked at the American Society of Agronomy for 32 years as an editor and organizer of their annual convention.

Richard met the love of his life, Monica Rose Martens, on a blind date in Stevens Point. They started corresponding and eventually married on May 10, 1952. Richard and Monica moved to Verona, WI in 1957 where they raised their family and became active community members. He was an active member of the Verona Optimists as well as St. Andrews parish. After Richard’s retirement in 1988, Monica and he enjoyed many wonderful years of traveling, biking, cross country skiing, keeping up with their children and grandchildren, and spending time with family and friends.

Surviving family members include Richard’s wife Monica, daughter Mary Dinauer and her son James Duguid; daughter Susan Dinauer and husband Will Salvi and their daughters Nelia and Livia Salvi; son William Dinauer and wife Christina and their children Ashley, Amanda and Ethan; son Stephen Dinauer and wife Leslie and their son Jack; son Christopher Dinauer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 10, 2015 at ST. ANDREW CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 N Main St, Verona, with Fr. William Vernon presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of mass. A burial will follow directly after the mass at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery.

The Dinauer family is so grateful for the loving care at St. Mary’s Care Center. Memorial donations can be made to the Verona Area Needs Network or St. Andrew’s Parish, Verona.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home
& Cremation Services
Verona Chapel
608-845-6625