Richard Donald Brooker Sr.

Richard “Dick” Brooker, Sr., age 90 of Sayner, died peacefully of natural causes in Kingman, AZ on August 19, 2015. Dick will be missed by his children, Donna (Trey) Brooks, Barbara Cashman, Sharon Brooker, Laura Olson, Robert Brooker and Amy (Craig) Engebretson. He was the proud grandfather to Katy, Brad, Kevin, and Kendria, and the great-grandfather of Lennex and Larkin. He is further survived by sisters Angeline Hoppe and Lillian Crall and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dick was preceded in death by wife Florence, son Richard Jr. (Butch), brothers George, Burton and Robert, sisters Almeda Grzanic and Rosetta Kazda, and son-in-law Ron Olson.

Active throughout the community, Dick was a charter member of the Sayner-Star Lake Lions Club (Melvin Jones Foundation Award Recipient) and a charter member of the Sayner-Star Lake Barnstormers Snowmobile Club. He was also a volunteer with the Plum Lake Fire Dept and EMS, serving as Fire Chief for many years. In addition, Dick co-founded and was a lifetime charter member of the Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Sayner and was also a co-founder of the Sayner-Star Lake Annual Treasure Hunt, which is celebrating its 50th year this Fall. A near-scratch golfer, Dick was often seen on local courses and loved sharing his hole-in-one story, which he scored at Trout Lake Golf Course.

Dick served his country as a stevedore in the Pacific Theater during WWII and received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with One Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal ‘44, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal and the Bronze Service Arrowhead Medal. He was further honored in 2011 when he participated on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington DC. Always proud of his service to his country, he was rarely seen without his WWII commemorative hat.

Many summer residents of the Plum Lake area will remember Dick as a property caretaker and from his days of owning and operating his sand and gravel business.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Sayner, the Sayner-Star Lake Lions Club, the Plum Lake Fire Dept/EMS or the Sayner-Star Lake Barnstormers Club. A memorial service will be Saturday, September 26th at 11:00 AM at Shepherd of the Lakes Church in Sayner, WI with a gathering from 10:00 AM till time of service.
Military Honors will take place following the Memorial Service at Plum Lake Cemetery in Sayner, WI.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.