Richard Dwight Stahmann, 80, of Winona, died unexpectedly Friday, December 7, 2018 at Gunderson Health System in La Crosse. Richard was born on April 30, 1938 in Winona to Dwight and Mabel (Hoppe) Stahmann. He grew up around Winona, hunting and fishing around the lakes and even built his own fishing boat. He attended Winona Senior High School and graduated in 1956. At 16, he started working in construction for his Dad, who taught him the brick mason trade. He continued as a brick mason and was part of the Brick Masons' Union for 50 years. In December of 1959, Richard met the love of his life, Patricia Langowski, and in August of 1960, the two were married at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Winona. In 1961, Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army as a medic, where he served two years. Around this time, Richard and Patricia welcomed their first child, Jackie, followed by Linda and Richard Jr. He enjoyed bowling and won the Minnesota State All Events Championship in 1970. In his work, he built many buildings around Winona and also helped build the Winona Middle School, which stands on the old Langowski family farm site. He was proud to say he was the last one to work on the family farm. He loved spending time with his family and friends through the years at weekly pool parties or at the Midway Motor Lodge in the winter.
Richard is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Patricia; children, Jacqueline (Mike) Lafky, Linda (David) Fletcher, Richard (Jacqueline) Stahmann-Boehm; grandchildren, Roni and Tori Lafky, Jack and Kelly Fletcher, Cory, Kathryn and Sophia Stahmann; great-granddaughter, Hayden Fletcher; sisters, Janet (Robert) Wieczorek and Sharon Durham. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Eugene, Shirley Rooney, and Geraldine McLaughlin.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, December 11 with visitation starting at 1 p.m. at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview. Please leave a memory of Richard at hofffuneral.com