Richard "Dick" John DePestel

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Richard "Dick" J. DePestel, age 83 of Utica passed away at Lake Winona Manor on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Richard John was born on February 2, 1943, in Minneota, MN the son of John and Erma (VanSteenkiste) DePestel. He graduated from West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, MN in 1960. He went to work as a heavy machinery operator in road construction from 1962-1966. During this time, he was united in marriage on April 11, 1964, to Sharon Springer in Taunton, MN. The couple raised their family as Dick worked for Phillips 66 in Canby, MN as a bulk truck driver from 1966-1976. In 1976 Dick started working for Skelgas in Madison, MN and moved to Madison until 1979 when he was promoted to Branch Manager at Lewiston Skelgas. Dick then moved to Lewiston, MN where he worked for Skelgas until 1994. From 1994-2007 Dick worked at Lewiston Altura Propane and Hardware as the marketing manager. He retired in 2007. Dick was president of the Farmers' Park Board for 12 years. Dick taught religion classes at St. Peter's Catholic Church during his time in Canby. One of Dick's hobbies was fixing up cars and pickups in his back yard and garage along with his wife Sharon and his good friend, Les Meade. He was a hard worker who took great pride in his lawn (he entrusted his son Travis to care for it while he couldn't) and he was a man who could fix anything. He loved spending time with his wife on the lake as they camped and shared many days with their camping friends. Dick hated water but loved to put his pontoon on Lake Sakatah near Waterville. He loved to tinker with just about anything and was a source of knowledge for anyone who needed to fix something. Dick loved his family and helped them in any way whenever he could. Dick was proud of his 3 sons and of his 6 grandchildren. He adored his great grandchildren. Dick would say, "Those little ones have so much energy and are so cute!"

Dick will be missed by his loving wife of 61 years Sharon of Utica, his children Dean (Shelly) of Lewiston, Randall (Audra) of Pine Island and Travis of Lewiston, grandchildren Dustin (Peggy) of Lewiston, Dylan (Mary) of Lewiston, Dominick (Victoria) of Lewiston, Morgan (Logan Simon) of Zumbrota, Brandon of Mannford, OK and Bailey of Durand, Wisconsin, 9 great grandchildren Jasper, Desmond, Thomas, Bruce, Leaella, Rosalie. Vera, Nathan and Hailey. He is further survived by his siblings Dorothy (David) Algyer of Tracy, MN, James (Lana) DePestel of Canby, MN and Carol (Joey) Johnson of Walnut Grove, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents. his mother and father-in-law and one sister Lorraine Jerzak.

A celebration of Dick's life will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Hoff Funeral Home of St. Charles. Father Chinnappa, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston will officiate and Todd Jerzak will be the soloist.

An hour of visitation will take place one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Private burial will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery.

Dick’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Lake Winona Manor for their dedicated care of their entire family during this time.