Richard Easterson

Richard A. Easterson, “Dick” passed away Saturday afternoon, October 22, 2016 at the Fall Creek Valley Care Center.
Richard Andrew Easterson was born Aug. 1, 1929 in Eau Claire. At the age of seven he moved to Alma Center where he was raised by his grandparents, Frank and Edith Adams. He graduated from Alma Center High School in 1947. On June 30, 1949, Dick was united in marriage to Jean Rush at the Rush family home in Black River Falls. The couple began their life together farming in Alma Center, Melrose and Northfield, before moving to their farm in Otter Creek Township, rural Augusta in 1964. When they retired in 1994 the couple moved to Colorado, where he worked as a classifier and consultant to the Holstein Association. In 1988 they relocated to continue work with the association in Fresno, CA. Dick was involved over 40 years with the association. When living in California they always returned to Wisconsin each summer to spend time with family and friends. Dick had made a decision to move back to Wisconsin permanently in 2013, before setting up an apartment he suffered a debilitating stroke which then required the nursing care he received the past 3 years at the Fall Creek Valley Care Center.
Dick’s love for his family and dairy farming led to his commitment to the 4-H organization. He was one of the founding fathers of the Thompson Valley Travelers 4-H Club, where he served as a dairy leader and mentor to many. He served as a Holstein judge at county fairs and dairy shows throughout Wisconsin. One of his most memorable involvements was with Stars of Tomorrow. With this program he helped match up registered Holsteins to be raised by 4-H and FFA members. For many years Dick was a part of the “Chain Gang” for the Augusta School District, walking the field and moving the chains at all the home football games. He also enjoyed serving the district as a school bus driver. Dick and Jean loved to polka and he always claimed he knew how to polka before he could walk. For several years he also sang with a polka choir known as St. Henry’s Polkateers.
Dick and Jean were members of the United Church of Christ, College Community in Fresno. Through the church they volunteered their time helping others, often at the soup kitchen. They also volunteered with the Mission Disaster Program. Through this program they helped rebuild a parsonage on an Indian Mission in Nevada, with the clean up after the fires in California, and after a tornado in Oklahoma. They both spent a great deal of time talking with and listening to the victims of the disasters, which was a comfort to so many.
Dick will be remembered as a man with a quick wit and a fast come back. Being an only child he appreciated his large loving family that meant the world to him and tried his best to share his love and time with all of them.
Dick will be dearly missed by his five children, Carol and Ron Strauch of Augusta, Linda Hipkins of McDonough, GA, John and Jeanne Easterson of Osseo, Patricia and Larry Schwoch of Augusta, Marcia and Joe Bauer of Eau Galle; son-in-law, Roger Baier of Eau Galle; 11 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jean; daughter Orpha Baier; grandson Brian Veenendal; and son-in-law Robert Hipkins.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, and from 10-11 a.m. Friday at the United Church of Christ in Osseo, with services at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Alma Center.