Richard W. Briesath

DAKOTARichard W. "Dick" Briesath, 81, of Dakota, Minn. died on Monday, October 12, 2015 at Bluffview Memory Care in Holmen, Wis.Dick was born on August 23, 1934, in Pickwick, Minn. to John and Myrtle (Messner) Briesath. He moved with his family to Winona when he was three years old. Dick graduated from Winona Senior High School. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Arts and Biology education from Winona State University. He taught school for one year at Leroy, Minn. He went back to Winona State to receive his Master's Degree in education. He taught for ten years at Whitefish Bay Wis. School District. Dick married JoAnn Flatten on December 22, 1962. He taught a few more years at Milwaukee Roosevelt High School and Juneau, Wis. High School. Dick and JoAnn moved to St. Charles, Minn. in 1972, where they operated the Gambles Hardware Store. Dick then received his Master's Degree in school administration at Winona State University. He then worked as a school administrator at many Minnesota schools, including, Milroy, Ulen, Glenville - Emmons, Silver Lake and Comfrey. Dick and Joann retired to Dakota, Minn. in 1996. Dick was the Mayor of Dakota from 1999 to 2005. He enjoyed woodcarving and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, Minn.He is survived by his wife JoAnn; a son, Randy (Pam) Briesath of Aurora, Ill.; three grandchildren: Tyler, Megan, and Molly Briesath; and by two sisters: Judy (Gary) Trainor and Irene (Leo) Fox.Dick was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Renee; a grandson, T.J.; one brother, Kenneth, and three sisters: Marge, Dorothy, and Evelyn.The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview, Minn. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, Minn.Leave a memory of Dick and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com