Richard “Polack” Nowak, 75, of Mapleton, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Mankato.

Richard was born on Dec. 23, 1939, in Elmore Township, Faribault County, to Ignatius and Anna (Kotewa) Nowak. He was united in marriage to Maureen Hughes on April 5, 1969, in Kasota, Minnesota. He graduated from East Chain High School in 1958.

Richard’s work history included: Jones Sheet Metal, trucking for George Larson Trucking and Leonard Gartner Trucking, and he retired as a maintenance engineer from Cloverleaf Cold Storage. He was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.

Richard had many hobbies including snowmobiling, motorcycling, woodworking, vintage John Deere tractors, operating a custom service company for lawn and garden services, playing cards, photography, road trips, raising rose gardens, rock collecting, and loved animals, specifically cats.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Maureen, Mapleton; children: Laurinda (Don) Sohre, Madison Lake, Andy (Jennifer) Nowak, Glencoe, Michael Nowak, Minneapolis; six grandchildren: Anna Sohre, Nicholas Sohre, Daniel Sohre, Brittney Nowak, Alec Nowak, and Jaiden Nowak; brothers: Harold (Joan) Nowak, Welcome, Earl (Judy) Nowak, Sherburn; five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many other relatives.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; and seven brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Arrangements are with Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at St. Teresa’s, and will continue one hour prior to the service. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28 at the church. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. Fr. Jason Kern will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.