Richard (Dick) Allen Thayer, 71, died peacefully from heart complications on Saturday, May 25 at his rural home near Nekoosa, Wisconsin.
He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 24, 1948, to Everell and Florence (Bell) Thayer, the first of 12 children. Dick graduated from St Joseph Seminary High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1966. He married Ellen Bellgraph in New Salem, Michigan on Jan 2, 1969. He remarried to Linda Prud’homme in Rockford, Illinois, on Aug 13, 2001.
As a younger man Dick worked as a carpenter, eventually owning his own contracting business. He later worked for the University of Wisconsin system as a maintenance supervisor and then building superintendent. After retirement, he returned part-time to the contracting work that he enjoyed, and stayed as busy as his health allowed until his death. Dick enjoyed fishing, reading, and all sorts of building projects. He and Linda spent recent winters relaxing and socializing in a retirement community in Mission, Texas.
Dick is survived by his first wife, Ellen (Mittlesteadt) of Shorewood, Wis., and their five children: E. Joseph Thayer of Nashville, Tennessee, Morningstar Thayer Skoien of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Rebecca (Chuck) Thayer of King’s Beach, California, Samuel (Melissa) Price of Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin, and Gabrielle (Patrick) Grimes of Shorewood, Wisconsin; his wife Linda, and his three stepchildren. He is also survived by eight grandchildren (Anastasia, Nathaniel, Celia, Alex, Myrica, Joshua, Christopher, and Rebekah) two great-grandchildren (Nikola and Erik), and ten siblings: David (Sandy) Thayer of Grand Rapids, Mich., Jane (Gerry) Yost of Newaygo, Mich., Joan (Mike) Mysliwiec of Byron Center, Mich., Jeanne (Rodney) Stricker of Traverse City, Mich., Janet (Bill) Ogden of Grand Rapids, Mich., Mary Henning of Grand Rapids, Mich., Andrew (Lisa) Thayer of Grand Rapids, Mich., Betty (Patrick) Smith of Wyoming, Mich., Carla (Gale) Gauld of Fife Lake, Mich., and Everell (Cheryl) Thayer of Hilo, Hawaii; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Everell and Florence, and by brother Anthony.
A visitation will be held at Feldner/Ritchay Funeral Home in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, on Saturday, June 1, from 2-4 PM, followed by a meal and celebration of life in the dining hall at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Nekoosa.

In lieu of flowers, please perform some unexpected kindness for anyone at all.