Richard (Dick) Dean Brekke, 82, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by family Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin.

Richard was born March 10, 1933, in Sargeant, Minnesota, to Henry and Amanda Brekke. Richard graduated from Austin High School in 1951. On Sept. 1, 1951, he married his wife Carol (Mithuen) Brekke in Austin, Minnesota. From there, they built a loving family and he worked to provide for them. In Richard’s early years, he owned a Shell Gas Station on Oakland Avenue in Austin, and then started working with Hormel Foods in 1967. Richard was loyal to the Eagle’s Club in Austin for many years; he was an avid member since 1976. Richard was secretary of the Eagle’s Club in Austin from 1999 to 2009, and in his earlier years with them was also chapter president for a term. He was a man who was always there to help, hardworking, never asked for more than he gave, and wanted nothing more than to be with his family who he cherished most. He had a love of fishing, polka, Norwegian heritage, and storytelling.

Richard was preceded in death by his daughters: Karrie Lynn, and Pamela Jean Shirk; as well as his brother Lowell Brekke. He was also preceded in death by his parents Henry and Amanda Brekke.

Richard is survived by his wife Carol Brekke, Austin, Minnesota; daughter Jennifer Brekke, Rochester, Minnesota; son Richard Jr. (Connie) Brekke, Rochester, Minnesota. Dick is also survived by six grandchildren: Jason (Missy) Brekke, Rochester, Minnesota, Karrie (Chris) Fursa, Rochester, Minnesota, Chris (Tracey) Fogarty, Rochester, Minnesota, Mandy (Adam) Mergen, Cold Spring, Minnesota, Matthew (Bridget) Brekke, Byron Minnesota, and Katie (Josh) Wachter, Byron, Minnesota; nine great-grandchildren: Zygmund and Walker Fursa, Ayva and Maya Fogarty, Charlie and Lilly Mergen, Dylan and Cole Brekke, and Alex Kaping; sister Marlys Trimble, Austin, Minnesota; nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2015, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Todd Portinga, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. and at the church for one hour before the service on Monday. Please send memorials to the Austin Eagle’s Club for the Cancer Telethon.