Richard Wise
Richard “Rick“ Lee Wise, 67, of Staples passed away June 7, 2025 at Lakewood Health System Care Center, Staples.
A service of remembrance and celebration will be held Tuesday, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the Motley Free Methodist Church, Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. at the church.
Richard was born December 4, 1957 to Floyd Leslie and Clarice Marlene Wise in Little Falls. He was one of five children, Brian, Linda, Rick, Natalie and Tim. Shortly after his birth, the family moved north to the Iron Range, first in Pengilly, then Nashwauk. At the age of four, the family moved to Staples. Rick graduated from Staples High School with the class of 1976, then attended Staples Vocational School studying graphic arts. He worked alongside his father and older brother, Brian, as a printer in the family owned business, “Temple Press” in Staples, concluding his working years as a convenience store night shift manager at the Staples Super America. Rick loved the outdoors, especially fishing, was a dog and cat lover, a bird expert and enjoyed socializing with his many friends. He was artistic, creative, had a love for words as a human dictionary when it came to definitions or spellings. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, sudokus, was the Wordle Master, Cribbage King, pool shark and always happy to play cards with friends and family. Rick had a bright mind and the ability to be a quiet and accepting presence with a dose of dry sense of humor mixed in. Rick never married but found the love of his life, Mary K. Wollenburg sharing many years of happiness together before losing her in 2006.
In the last years of his life, Rick’s diagnosis of COPD/emphysema limited his ability to do many things easily and he moved back home with his parents, deeply thankful for their love and care. He is free from a body that was no longer able to support him physically and is now safe in the arms of Jesus. He loved his friends and family dearly and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Rick is survived by his mother, Clarice Wise; two brothers, Brian (Diana) Wise and Timothy (Sonya) Wise; two sisters, Linda Gathright and Natalie (Steve) Olsen and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his significant other, Mary K. Wollenburg; father, Floyd Wise; one brother-in-law, Gordon Gathright and one niece, Chelsea Marlene Olsen.
Special thanks to the Lakewood Care Center and Hospice team for their care during the last eight weeks of his life.
Arrangements are by the Taylor Funeral Home, Staples.
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