Richard "Dick" John Breuer

Richard "Dick" Breuer, age 83, of Wadena, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife by his side.

Dick was born on October 20, 1941, in Wadena to Frank and Marie (Brasel) Breuer. He was a proud graduate of Wadena High School and was united in marriage to Verlie Goedel on November 4, 1963, in Bluffton, MN. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and five wonderful children.

Known for his deep roots in the community, Dick wore many hats over the years—husband, father, bowler, horseshoer, golfer, business owner, and sports enthusiast. He and Verlie owned and operated the Fresh Freeze restaurant in Wadena from 1984 until 2000, serving generations of locals with classic treats and warm smiles.

An avid golfer, Dick spent countless summer days at Whitetail Run Golf Club, working in the pro shop, playing & volunteering in the many tournaments hosted there. He was also a dedicated bowler who competed in leagues with Verlie and traveled to tournaments near and far. In fact, his first job—one Verlie fondly remembers—was setting pins by hand at the New York Mills Bowling Alley.

Dick's love for sports ran deep. Whether cheering on the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, or Wild, he was always game-day ready. Dick attended a Vikings game on his 83rd birthday with family members, getting photographs with cheerleaders, autographs, and other gifts. One of his proudest moments was attending Game 1 of the 1987 World Series. He also gave back to local sports as an umpire for amateur baseball around the area—if a town had a ballfield, odds are he called a game or two there.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Verlie; children Dean (Heather) Breuer of Burnsville, MN, Rick (Ruthie) Breuer of Wrenshall, MN, Scott (Sandy) Breuer of Apple Valley, MN, Tiffany (Doug) Aagard of St. Cloud, MN, and Julie (Marvin) Birely of Marion, IA; twenty grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his brother, William “Bill” Breuer, and his parents, Frank and Marie. Our family would like to thank Dr. Wade Swenson, Dr. Katie Norris, Cindy, Kali, and the entire team of caregivers and staff at Lakewood Health System for the compassion and love they showed Dick and Verlie throughout this difficult journey.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Dick" John Breuer, please visit our floral store.