Richard Dean Prizler, 69, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Rich was born Oct. 15, 1945, in Austin, Minnesota, to Elmer and Evelyn Prizler. He grew up on a farm near Myrtle, Minnesota, with his siblings, David and Gayle, where they rode a horse and buggy to school. Rich later attended Glenville High school.

Rich joined the U.S. Army and was a Heavy Equipment Operator with 554 U.S. Army Engineers. Specialist Prizler fought in the Vietnam War where he received the Purple Heart Medal for injuries during wartime.

Rich married Nancy True on May 12, 1973. The couple lived in Austin and had two sons, Lonnie and Joseph. He drove truck for many years and was often called upon by friends and family to be the technology expert and personal IT department.

Rich was active in the Disabled American Veterans, Amateur Radio Club and the Color Guard. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was instrumental in the construction of the Austin Veterans Memorial in downtown Austin, Minnesota.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy, Austin, Minnesota; two sons: Lon (Rachel) Prizler, Rochester, Minnesota, Joe (Sheena) Prizler, Eagle Bend, Minnesota; four grandchildren: Anthony “A.J.” Prizler, Abi Prizler, Morgan Madura, Harper Prizler; one great-grandchild, Oakley Prizler; sister, Gayle (Bill) Perkins, Austin, Minnesota; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Dorothy Prizler, Northwood, Iowa, Grace (Jack) Piper, Mason City, Iowa, Tom (Helen) True, Forest City, Iowa, Kevin (Dianne) True, Hutchinson, Minnesota, Kurtis True, Spring Lake Park, Minnesota; nieces and nephews; special friends Thad and Kim Houghtaling.

A celebration of life for Richard will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at Mayer Funeral Home with Chaplain Elizabeth Endicott officiating. Friends may call one hour before the celebration at Mayer Funeral Home on Saturday. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Myrtle, Minnesota, with military rites by V.F.W. Post No. 1216 and D.A.V. Chapter 27. The celebration will continue at the Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park following the interment. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.