Richard Holmes

Richard Holmes, 76, of Wausau passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at Northcentral Health Care Center.

He was born October 29, 1940, in Tomahawk to the late AT and Carol (Welty) Holmes. After graduating from Tomahawk High School, Dick served in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. On February 13, 1965, he married Veryl Herdrich at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal. After spending their first year in Redding, CA, Dick and Veryl returned to Wisconsin. They eventually moved to Wausau where Dick taught electronics at Wausau East High School. Dick had a constant thirst for knowledge. If there was a subject he wanted to know more about, he would read, study and talk to the experts. Dick received his Bachelor's degree in Vocational Education from UW Stout and continued to take college courses over the next several years, earning a Master's degree in Vocational Education. He was truly a "Jack of all Trades." From fixing washers and dryers, to electric and plumbing repairs or interior painting, Dick could fix, make or paint just about anything and was proud to pass this gift on to his girls. His talents resulted in opening his own business, Holmes Repair, with his loyal customers keeping him in business with their many referrals.

Dick and Veryl are members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, where in his younger years, Dick was a greeter, communion distributor and helped with many of the church maintenance projects. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting, playing cribbage and dancing. Dick truly loved his family, especially watching the grandchildren grow up.

Survivors include his wife, Veryl, of Wausau; three daughters, Karen (Bradley) Leitzke of Sheboygan Falls, Kimberly (Stephen) Johnson of Norman, OK, and Kristi (Andrew) Grall of Woodbury, MN; seven grandchildren and one sister, Joan Seaborg, of Burke, VA. Dick was preceded in death by two brothers and five sisters.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Bruce Lamont will officiate. Burial to follow at a later time in Greenwood Cemetery, Tomahawk. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family so that donations will be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation and other worthy causes.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Bruce, our many friends and family, and the staff at Helke Funeral Home for their support. Thank you to the staff at Lakeview Heights at Northcentral Health Care for the care and kindness they gave Dad and our family during his stay.