Richard Erwin Gottschalk

Richard Erwin Gottschalk was born May 18, 1945, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Mercedes and Martin Gottschalk. Richard was called to his heavenly home, from his winter home in Franklin, Wis., surrounded by his family on Jan. 16, 2023. The family thanks Aurora Hospice for their assistance permitting him to remain at home as he passed. Richard was baptized and confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pomeroy, Iowa. Richard began his Christian education at Immanuel Lutheran School in Pomeroy, attended Concordia Academy (then Concordia College) in St. Paul, earning a Bache - lor of Science degree. He was married to his wife Jeanne Meyer in 1967. Richard began his career at Immanuel Lutheran School in Perryville, Mo., where he became known as Mr. G. — a title he carried the remainder of his life. Richard received a master’s degree in elementary administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Following Perryville, Richard served the following parishes: as principal/teacher, Zion Lutheran, Linn, Kan.; St. John Lutheran, Newhall, Iowa; Trinity Lutheran, Alma, Mo.; St. Paul Lutheran, Latimer, Iowa; St. Paul’s Lutheran, Truman; Trinity Lutheran, Oshkosh, Wis.; and retired from Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran, Milwaukee, Wis. He devoted his working life to teaching Jesus’ lambs, spanning nearly 50 years.

His hobbies were numerous: photography, woodworking, radio-controlled airplanes and drones, but none so dear to his heart as riding his Gold Wing with Jeanne in the lower 48 states and Canada. A close second joy was fishing with his grandchildren. Richard is survived by his cherished wife, Jeanne; children, Theodore “TJ” (Lisa) Gottschalk and Katrina (Tom) Goetz; “borrowed” children, Dean Berkbigler (Dot) and Kristi Behne and son, Ryan; grandchildren, Alida (Dramos) Karterin, Nathaniel and Dominic Gottschalk, Micah, Annabell and Caspian Goetz; sisters, Rebecca (Ken) Rassler of Rembrandt, Iowa, and Donna Lei (Les) Reinert of Urbana, Il.; two great grandchildren, Annabelle and Lucy; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Mercedes Gottschalk; in-laws, Henry and Norma Meyer, Laurie Benoit and Norman Meyer; plus several aunts and uncles. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s name can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Truman or Martin Luther High School-Northrop or a parochial school of the donor’s choice. There will be a celebration of life at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on June 3 at 2 p.m. Share memories or pictures by visiting thelifeofrichard.com