Obituary
Richard “Dick” R. Geiwitz
RICHARD RUSSEL GEIWITZ
Holmen – Richard Russel Geiwitz, 88 of Holmen passed away peacefully on September 26, 2019 at Gundersen Health System. Richard was born in LaCrosse, WI on August 23, 1931 to Russel and Helen Geiwitz. Richard is survived by his wife, Lois who he celebrated 68 years of marriage with this past April. On their 25th anniversary he started writing poetry to her which he continued doing every year of their life together. He is also survived by his brother Bob of Florida; his 7 children, Linda Manske (Paul), Debi Geiwitz (Duke Adamski), Rick Geiwitz (Linda), Ed Geiwitz (Karen), Pauline Johnson (Dan), Joan Whitson (Bill), and Faith McFadden (Brad); his 13 grandchildren, Bryon and Travis Manske, Elise Geiwitz, Andrew, Aaron, and Ahna Geiwitz, Marissa, Teddy, and Phillip Johnson, Ben, Jordan, and AdamWhitson, and Helen McFadden; and 5 great grandchildren. Preceding Richard in death were his parents, Russel and Helen Geiwitz, his brothers, Jim, Don and their wives, and 3 grandchildren, Joel Geiwitz, Eric Manske, and Nathan Geiwitz.
Richard was a Veteran of the Korean War, where he proudly served in the Army. After the Army he worked with his father in the family masonry business, Geiwitz Construction, along with his brothers and son. He later took over the business and continued working into his 70’s. Richard was a member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Wisconsin.
Richard lived his whole life by the first commandment as recorded in Mark 12:30, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength.” Because of his faith, he and several other businessmen started a coffee house ministry in Downtown LaCrosse; he was a member of the Gideon Bible Society distributing thousands of Bibles to area schools and hotels; he spent 50 years with the Jail Ministry doing weekly Bible studies; and along with his wife, Lois, they led and organized numerous mission trips to foreign countries to spread the Lord’s word.
In his 80’s he continued to serve by listening to the Awana children at Bethany Church recite their Bible verses. Many of the children will remember the “Super Glue” handshake!
Richard suffered from renal failure. For 16 years he spent three days a week at the Onalaska Gundersen Dialysis Center. During this time he became close friends with the many wonderful nurses, doctors, and other patients who cared for him. The family wants to personally thank everyone at the dialysis center for their support and care through all the years.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 3rd from 5 to 8 PM, at the Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street, in Onalaska.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 4th at 11 AM at Bethany Church at 3936 County Rd. B, LaCrosse. Followed by military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Gideon Bible Society.
To view or download Richard’s memorial video, copy and paste the link below into your web browser.
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/LQZ8DQNBLX8XQF58?e=1
My prayers and sympathy to Lois and the family. I appreciated the kindness and concern that Dick and Lois had shown myself throughout the years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Jim and Lilli
Lois and Kids,
Our sincere condolences. I always enjoyed talked to Dick at church. He was always one who made a new person feel right at home. He will be dearly missed.
Dan and Hunter Smith
What an honor to have known this humble man of God!
Our condolences to your family.
Kurt & Meg Pfuhl
Sorry for your loss
Our condolence goes out to Lois and all the Family. Dick and I used to do Jail Ministry together for many years, singing and ministering to the inmates at the La Crosse county jail.
We love this wonderful, faithful family for the many years we have known them. We pray peace and comfort for you all.
Jack & Ethel Sobotta
Roger and Judith Erickson have fond memories of Dick and Lois. His love of the Lord was greatly noticed. Our condolences to Lois and family
Our sympathies to Lois and the family. Dick was a larger than life kind of man. Always ready to recite a poem or tell a joke. Also always ready to share his faith. . . a true fisherman and fisher of men
God bless the Geiwitz family. Mr. Geiwitz was a wonderful man who spent his life serving the Lord. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Lois. I’m sorry to hear of Dicks passing. What a wonderful life you shared. Treasure those poems he wrote you. Truly a blessed man
So very sorry for your loss! Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Oh, Dick is enjoying that heavenly ice cream! ?Wow, the memories! He and his family were a hugely significant part of my growing up years, and Super Friends of my folks. Love, love, love to you, Lois and the family. Thank you for your Godly legacy and influence on my life, and my family’s.
Oh ‘Miss America’, my heart and deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Dick was a special guy who made each one of us, here at dialysis, feel special and loved. He will certainly be missed by patients and staff. ❤
I’m so sorry for your loss. I sure remember Dick at the Upper Room Coffee House, talking to everyone about the Lord and asking new people where they were at with Jesus. I appreciate the friendship I had with Dick and Lois all those years ago. What a faithful man of God!
What a blessing to have known Dick and Lois. His life can be summed up in these words “To God Be The Glory”. Many have come to know Jesus Christ through the life of this fine man. Dick, we will see you again.
Mark and Johanna Hostetter, Tennessee
Karen, Janice has sent me the notification regarding your late father in law. I am so sorry you have lost him. I have you and Ahna in my prayers.
My heart is full of joy knowing he is in God’s presence now. I am sad to not have had the chance to say hi one more time. Praying for your family as you adjust to life without Dick.
Dick listened to my son recite weekly bible verses at Awana this was the only encounter they had. 2 years later when he listened to my daughter he said, I know your brother Jackson – I pray for him often!
Sorry for your loss Lois/family and many friends!
Lois. So sorry to hear that dick passed into glory. So many good memories of all the times of ministry with dick. Especially the upper room coffee house. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
What a legacy this man leaves behind!
Mrs. Geiwitz, thank you for following the Lord with your husband all those years. I love hearing about you two from Faith. She honors you both so much. I was so blessed to have gotten to meet you this past June. Thank you for making the trip to good ol’ Texas!
I am so very sorry for your loss but rejoicing in the blessing of a life well-lived in service to our Lord. He has made such an impact on so many lives.
La Crosse Jail Ministry is deeply grateful to you for your service to our jail and community. Your heart is deep for those truly in need of hope and opportunities for spiritual growth. 50 years! Truly remarkable and blessed. Thank you.
Maureen Freedland, Past President, La Crosse Jail Ministry
Dick was one of my first Sunday school teachers. Thankful for his zeal for Jesus and his willingness to be available to every person in front of him -even little kids.
Dick Geiwitz, What a great friend and customer. I with “Ideal Ready mix” had the pleasure to deal with such a nice guy. GOD Bless you, forever.