Richard John Bujanovich Bemidji, Minnesota Obituary

Richard John Bujanovich

Richard John Bujanovich, 65, of Bemidji, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at his home. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 24, 2021 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji with Father Michael Arey officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. Richard was born April 17, 1956 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, the son of John and Leontine “Tina” (Finck) Bujanovich. He came to America with his parents when he was seven months old. The family lived in West Allis, eventually moving above the Bujanovich family bakery where Rick started his baking career next to his dad and grandfather. Richard was the apple of his grandfather‘s eye and could do no wrong. Richard attended St. Aloysius Catholic grade school and then attended Don Bosco high school in Milwaukee where he was a stand out football player. He graduated in 1974. He went to Notre Dame to play football for two more years. Richard then enrolled in the Dunwoody school of baking where he learned his favorite saying “eat my friend, eat “. Richard earned his degree as a master baker, first running the family bakery in West Allis and eventually again working alongside his dad at the Black Forest bakery in Bemidji. He was also a national sales kitchen rep for Dawn Foods and taught baking at the Red Granite Correctional Institute in Red Granite, Wisconsin until his retirement in 2018. Richard‘s favorite past time of fishing began at the age of four when his mother found him with a stick and rope fishing in the sewer grate. Richard was an avid outdoorsman fishing tournaments on the Men’s Walleye Trail. He was a founding member of the Angling Horizons for fisherman with disabilities and was a professional guide in northern Minnesota for over 40 years. Hunting and fishing with Nick, Wanda, and friends was where he was happiest. Richard‘s greatest pride and joy is his son Nickolaus. The sun rises and sets with Nick and Rick’s apparent pride in the amazing man he has become, was always clear to see. In 2013, Richard reconnected with the woman he described as the best thing that ever happened to him and the love of his life, Wanda. They were engaged in December 2013 and have been side-by-side in heart-to-heart since. Their happiest days were being on the lake, road hunting, or simply watching the sunset holding hands. They were the missing pieces which completed each other. Richard is survived by his mother, Leontine “Tina”of Bemidji, his son Nickolaus (Savanna) Bujanovich of China Spring,Texas, and the love of his life Dr. Wanda Berg of Moose Lake, and a sister Barb (Joe) Multhauf of Milwaukee, brother-in-law Gary Block of Bemidji, a niece Lauren of Milwaukee, and numerous extended family and friends who will miss him always. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister Dorothy. Honorary Urnbearers are Robert “Roop” Roberts, Keith “Jackson” Roberts, Neil Roberts and Lonnie Fricke. Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.
April 17, 1956 - September 19, 202104/17/195609/19/2021
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Obituary

Richard John Bujanovich, 65, of Bemidji, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at his home. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 24, 2021 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji with Father Michael Arey officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. Richard was born April 17, 1956 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, the son of John and Leontine “Tina” (Finck) Bujanovich. He came to America with his parents when he was seven months old. The family lived in West Allis, eventually moving above the Bujanovich family bakery where Rick started his baking career next to his dad and grandfather. Richard was the apple of his grandfather‘s eye and could do no wrong. Richard attended St. Aloysius Catholic grade school and then attended Don Bosco high school in Milwaukee where he was a stand out football player. He graduated in 1974. He went to Notre Dame to play football for two more years. Richard then enrolled in the Dunwoody school of baking where he learned his favorite saying “eat my friend, eat “. Richard earned his degree as a master baker, first running the family bakery in West Allis and eventually again working alongside his dad at the Black Forest bakery in Bemidji. He was also a national sales kitchen rep for Dawn Foods and taught baking at the Red Granite Correctional Institute in Red Granite, Wisconsin until his retirement in 2018. Richard‘s favorite past time of fishing began at the age of four when his mother found him with a stick and rope fishing in the sewer grate. Richard was an avid outdoorsman fishing tournaments on the Men’s Walleye Trail. He was a founding member of the Angling Horizons for fisherman with disabilities and was a professional guide in northern Minnesota for over 40 years. Hunting and fishing with Nick, Wanda, and friends was where he was happiest. Richard‘s greatest pride and joy is his son Nickolaus. The sun rises and sets with Nick and Rick’s apparent pride in the amazing man he has become, was always clear to see. In 2013, Richard reconnected with the woman he described as the best thing that ever happened to him and the love of his life, Wanda. They were engaged in December 2013 and have been side-by-side in heart-to-heart since. Their happiest days were being on the lake, road hunting, or simply watching the sunset holding hands. They were the missing pieces which completed each other. Richard is survived by his mother, Leontine “Tina”of Bemidji, his son Nickolaus (Savanna) Bujanovich of China Spring,Texas, and the love of his life Dr. Wanda Berg of Moose Lake, and a sister Barb (Joe) Multhauf of Milwaukee, brother-in-law Gary Block of Bemidji, a niece Lauren of Milwaukee, and numerous extended family and friends who will miss him always. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister Dorothy. Honorary Urnbearers are Robert “Roop” Roberts, Keith “Jackson” Roberts, Neil Roberts and Lonnie Fricke. Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.

Events

Sep
24
Service
Friday, September 24 2021
11:00 AM
St. Philip's Catholic Church
620 Beltrami Ave. NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
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