M. Richard Thune

M. Richard "Dick" Thune of Plainview, MN passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, Sunday, March 27, 2011, after a year long battle with health issues. Born Jan. 1, 1930 in Kenyon, MN to Melvin & Amalia (Huber) Thune. Dick was a graduate of Kenyon High School and married Darlene Hilke on Jan. 13, 1951. Shortly after they married, Dick served in the US Army during the Korean War where he was assigned to the 300th Armored Field Artillery of the Wyoming National Guard. After his discharge, Dick worked for Crenlo, Inc. for 19 years as Purchasing Agent & Production Manager. In 1973 he moved on to Mercury Minnesota in Faribault, MN starting in sales & quickly being promoted to Vice President & General Manager. After being named to Who's Who in American Business in 1991, Dick retired in 1992 and spent 20 years in his favorite spot: the retirement home which he designed, on the Ossiwinimakee chain of lakes near Brainerd, MN. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion, as well as a member of the Wyoming 300th AFA Veteran reunion group, serving as Battery A Representative for 4 years & Commander for 4 years. Dick was active in writing the history of his unit & was published in Military Magazine and The Graybeards, a Korean Veterans magazine. He received numerous medals in service of his country and was especially proud of having received the Ancient Order of St. Barbara, honoring artillery men. Dick made a return trip to Korea in 2001 to mark the the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the Korean War. While there, he was honored to speak to an audience of 10,000 in the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, on the reunification of North & South Korea, reminding the South Korean citizenry to be vigilant in their effort. At the conclusion of his speech, Dick received the Queen Anne salute. He loved hunting & fishing and his favorite hobby was woodworking. He liked swing music, cooking & traveling. He was a member of Immanual Lutheran Church in Plainview. Survivors included his wife of 60 years, Darlene, daughter Elizabeth Thune of Red Wing MN, son Michael Thune of Salinas CA, sister Marie Berg of Wabasha, granddaughter Erin (Brian) Karlstad of Red Wing & great grandson Ethan Ruff of Red Wing, grandsons Ryan Thune and Michael Thune Jr. of Salinas CA & granddaughter Stephanie Thune of Sacramento CA and many nieces & nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister Sharon Thune, a son Richard Thune, a daughter Patricia Freiheit and 2 grandsons. Funeral services will be at 2pm, Wednesday, March 30th at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service - St. Charles with the Reverend David Frederickson of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plainview officiating. A reception will follow services at the funeral home. Friends may call at Hoff Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6-8PM. They may also call one hour before services at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Saratoga Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War. Please share a memory of Dick on-line and view his Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/208021