Richard Oliver Elstad

Richard Oliver Elstad “Dick” was born June 24, 1937, in Northfield, Minnesota to Fulton and Vera Els-tad. He was the 4th born, the 2nd son of 12 children. A fun-loving child, mischievous at times, but very loving and caring his whole life. The man who gave his time to others, his opinions, sometimes, too, but always out of love and concern. There was always an extra plate at a table full of hungry mouths. Dick had a strong sense of family and family was always his focus, his wife, children, grandchildren, and his siblings. He looked forward to his visits with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and sisters. Dick was a social person and enjoyed spending time with people and sharing stories. He loved telling his kids and grandkids stories of his youth, each time embellishing a little bit.Dick attended country schools, he joined the National Guard at the age of fifteen and later entered the U.S. Navy where he traveled to Japan and Okinawa. He was stationed in Long Beach, California where he met his beloved wife, mother of his children - Alice Tibbet. They were married in Carson City, Nevada on January 3, 1959. Working construction and pipe fitting like his father be-fore him, he and Alice raised their five children in California / Minnesota with a few moves and job changes for both; keeping their family fed and housed. He worked as an auto and tractor mechanic for years until he began working as a plumber for Hiawatha Plumbing. They eventually bought the business, and he repaired and piped to his heart content. They enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and dancing. He was crazy about Alice; however, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his cherished pride and joy. He loved every minute he spent with each of them, fishing, fixing, talking, gardening, and laughing. After selling his business Hiawatha Plumbing & Furnace Repair, he worked for a few years for Ed’s Plumbing in Lake City, MN. When he “retired” from plumbing he worked at Rochester Walmart and his free days were spent raising flowers and vegetables, he had a passion for growing and fishing.Dick Elstad. Following the death of his wife Alice, Dick found love again and married Diane Strenke on June 12, 2012, and spent his retirement years alongside his loving wife, fishing, gardening, and visit-ing with their friends. Diane loved and cared for him until the end. Dick and Diane were active members of the American Legion / VFW Post of Wabasha. Dick liked to be on the go all the time, he did not like sitting idle. They would often load up in the car and drive to Rochester or Winona to find the great deals. Dick would also venture to his hometown of Faribault, MN to see his sisters and have lunch. His morning routine while drinking coffee, he would look at pictures of his family on his IPAD. He also sent upwards of 50+ text messages each morning to family and friends. He would offer messages of “good morning, have a great day, I love you”. His family and friends are al-ready missing his daily messages.A short few days after a fall, surrounded by loving family, Dick joined Alice in heaven on Saturday, June 6. His wife and family watched him pass, his face lit with God’s love; as angels carried him home, 18 days shy of his 89th birthday.Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Al-ice, Grandson Eric Tentis, his parents and parent-in-laws; siblings: Joyce (Elstad) Waslie, Carmon Elstad, Geraldine (Elstad) Dotzler, Marilyn (Elstad) Neale, Ellen (Els-tad) Paul, Robert Elstad, Jane Elstad; Bruce Neale, Merlin Waslie, William Sartor, David Wagner and Kenneth Paul.Dick is survived by his wife of 14 years, Diane (Strenke); his and Alice’s five chil-dren, Alan Richard Elstad, LaCrosse, WI, Russell Lee (Wendy) Elstad, Nelson, WI, Robin Louise (Dennis) Ender, Wabasha, MN, Sherie Marie (Vincent) Anderson, Jacksonville, FL, and Kathleen Ann Leopold, Des Moines, IA. His nine grandchildren, Jennifer Ender, Wabasha, MN, Carolyn (Eric) Tentis St. Cloud, MN, Angela (Daniel) Kelley, Jacksonville, FL, John (Heather) Ender, Fort Worth, TX, Jeannie (Gary) Meidlinger, Wabasha, MN, Vincent (Rowena) Tentis, St Cloud, MN, Jason (Brittney) Ender, Wabasha, MN, Seth (Jacy) Leopold, Kelley, IA, Nicholas (Leah) Elstad, Minneapolis, MN, and Ayla (Ty-ler) Larson, Des Moines, IA. Nineteen great grandchildren: Vincent Thomas, Daniel and Catalina Tentis, St Cloud, MN, Bryar, Brinley, Breckyn and Bricelyn Ender, Wabasha, MN, Molly and Grayson Ender, Addison, Mason and Kingston Brown, Fort Worth, TX, Claire, Kelsey and Sadie Meidlinger, Wabasha, MN Skyelynn VanWyk, Aldo and Luna Leopold, Kelley, IA, and the latest edition Piper Elstad, Minneapolis, MN. Di-ane’s children Angela MCCarty, Charles Grilli, Ferris and Nick Strenke, and her grand-children Raelly, McKenize and Libby Strenke.He is also survived by his siblings: Virginia Sartor of Faribault, Kathryn Wagner of Tower, Jean Woznak of Medford and Laurel (Keith) Remund of Waseca; Linda Elstad, Elaine Elstad and Ja-nette Elstad, Henry Dotzler, Glenda and Paul Cadwell of Brea California, Catherine Williams of North Carolina and Bill and Helen Tibbet of Las Vegas Nevada and many, many nieces, nephews and greats and great-greats.In Lieu of flowers or plants, if anyone finds it on their heart to donate on Dick’s be-half: please send all donations to Wabasha Fire Department 113 Hiawatha Dr W, Wabasha MN 55981 or Wabasha Ambulance Service 129 Hiawatha Dr W, Wabasha, MN 55981, to support this vital service to our community. His Memorial service will be held on Saturday August 8, 2026, at the VFW in Wabasha, MN with Presiding Officiate his grandson, John Ender. Honorary bearers will be his grandsons, John and Jason Ender, and Vincent Tentis. Dick’s ashes will be interred at Fort Snelling tentatively set for Friday August 7, 2026