Richard K. "Dick" Pergolski, 80, Rib Mountain passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care.

 

Dick was born in Wausau on November 12, 1941, son of the late Edwin and Lucille (Barden) Pergolski.  On November 7, 1964, he married Darlene Guenthner at United Church of Christ, Antigo.  She survives.

 

Dick was a dedicated husband to Darlene and they shared a life-long bond as both husband and wife and true best friends.  He was known to his family as Grandpa, Gramps, Pops or Papa and was happiest when he was around his children and grandchildren.  Dick was always there for his family and friends; whether it was fixing something that needed repair, lighting up the room as a casual jokester, or being the best Santa Claus in the business for all his relatives at Christmas.

 

Dick enjoyed many things, but he loved tinkering around the house, working in the garage on his dune buggy, or spending time with family.  He was passionate about watching local hockey and enjoyed going to car shows, but what he loved the most was being a husband, father and grandfather.

 

In his earlier years Dick worked at Weston Homes and later went on to retire at age 62 from Wausau Steel after 25 years of service in the maintenance department.

 

Dick proudly served his country in the United States Army in Korea from 1961 until 1963.

 

Survivors include his wife, Darlene, his children Tami (Rick) Mueller, Wausau, Tina (Steven) Laurent, New Berlin and Rick (Catherine) Pergolski, Wausau, his grandchildren, Aaron Mueller, Alex (Sarah) Laurent, Zach, Ben and Megan Laurent, Brianna, JayR, and Olivia Pergolski and one great granddaughter Emma Laurent, his siblings, Donnie Pergolski, Nevada, Mary (Ralph) Henry, Michigan, James (Katie) Pergolski, Neenah, Kathleen "Tina" Walters, Michigan, JoAnne (Jerry) Lang, Wausau, Robert (Bonnie) Pergolski, Wausau, Sandy Daroci, Michigan, George (Liz) Pergolski, Weston and Colleen (John) Stillwell, Wausau and many nieces and nephews.

 

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, infant sister, Louise, Lois Luedtke, Patricia Pergolski, Margaret "Peggie" Bartz and Edwin "Buddy" and John Pergolski.

 

A Celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Willow Springs, Round Barn 6905 North 60th Ave.  Wausau, WI 54401.  Visitation for friends and family will be from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services at 3:30 p.m. Full military honors will follow the service.  Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements.