Richard E. Leitzke

Richard (Dick) Leitzke, age 78 of Zimmerman, MN, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024 after an epic 6-year battle against cancer.  Dick was born on May 4, 1945 to John and Shirley Leitzke of Osseo, MN.  He attended Osseo High School and after graduation, joined the US Marine Corps where he served his country for six years, rising through the ranks to Sergeant.

Dick married Roberta (Bobbie) Humphrey on February 25, 1966.  They lived in Champlain before moving to Zimmerman in 1973 with their three daughters, where they lived for over 50 years.  In moving to Zimmerman, he found a community and many special friends that he loved and cherished until the very end.  He was a retired member of the Zimmerman Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the American Legion for many years.  Wednesday night basketball games in the elementary school gym went on for years and he also played softball alongside his closest friends for many years. So many years in fact, that they were ultimately named “The Over the Hill Gang.”

Dick worked in Osseo for most of his adult life. First, as a construction foreman for Spancrete where he traveled all over the state, sometimes being away from his family for long periods of time. After leaving Spancrete, he joined his brother Bob at Osseo Radiator, which their dad had owned and operated for many years.

Dick enjoyed hunting, woodworking, fishing, golf and playing cards with his buddies on Wednesday afternoons.  He loved to watch sports, especially the Twins and Vikings and was a Viking’s season ticket holder for over 25 years.

Dick’s “happy place” was the family cabin in Annandale where he loved to fish, listen to the Twins game on the deck, take pontoon rides and fix things. He would often find things to fix that weren’t even broken yet.  Four o’clock happy hour with the neighbors was always a great time. The 4th of July was his favorite holiday to spend at the cabin and the whole family always made sure they were there to celebrate with him.

He loved life and held on with both hands as long as he could.  He was loved and respected by so many (family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors).  He was a loyal friend who was always ready to reach out and help, even when not wanting to ask for it for himself.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bobbie; daughters, Angela Thomas (Phil), Sarah Paaverud (Dave) and Stephanie McCabe (Steve); sister Joyce Miller; sister-in-law Roxanne Leitzke; grandchildren, Carter, Shelby (Nate), Peyton, Grant and Isaac. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Bob and sister-in-law Bunny and granddaughter Hannah.

Visitation will be May 11th at 9 AM, Memorial Service at 10 AM at St John Lutheran Church in Zimmerman. Lunch will follow at the Zimmerman Fire Hall and Event Center from 11-1:00. Interment will be on May 13th at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrive at Assembly Area #2 at 10:15am.

A very special thank you to the nurses in Building 49 at the St Cloud VA Community Living Center that provided him such excellent care and showed him so much compassion and respect during his time there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

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