Richard “Dick” Pataska

Richard “Dick” Arland Pataska, age 77, of Hammond, WI, formerly of LaCrosse, WI, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2022, at his home with his loving family at his side, following a short battle with lung cancer.

Dick was born on June 1, 1945 to Donald and Naomi (Runner) Pataska in LaCrosse, WI. He grew up in a family of seven siblings where he learned to work at a young age. He enjoyed learning to fish on the banks of the Mississippi River and being a star baseball player, as well as coaching many teams.

Dick was enlisted in the U.S. Army, to which he fought overseas in the Vietnam War for 2 years. Richard (Dick) was on the rail road for 34 years, he started on the Milwaukee Road, then the Soo Line rail road and retired from the Canadian Pacific as a conductor, he belonged to UTU union. On March 28, 1984 He was united in marriage to Katherine “Kit” Karr in sunny LasVegas, NV. The couple would be blessed with 4 children, Todd, Tonya, Missy, and Tara.

Dick dedicated his life to his family and friends. He enjoyed traveling with Kit and making memories at wonderful destinations such as Mexico and the Bahamas, where he would snorkel and play in and around the water. Kit and Dick would move around a little before settling down in Hammond, WI. One place he lived in was Colorado; his favorite pastime was riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle up in the mountains, he rode it everywhere. Besides riding motorcycle, Dick was a talented fisherman, he enjoyed his many fishing trips with Kits dad on Lake Huron and Lake Superior, he always loved being with Kit’s family. Dick also enjoyed spending time in his tree stand in the wee hours of the morning during deer hunting season. He was a great husband who loved and cherished his family, there was never a dull moment when they were together. Dick will be deeply missed all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kit; children: Todd Pataska, Tonya (Mark) Thompson, Missy Pelletier; grandchildren: Stuart, Taylor, Dylon, Corinne, Hayley, Ayden, Autumn, Alana, Willow, great-grand-child: Rosie; siblings: John (Donna) Pataska, Jim Pataska, Kay Prestwood, Dawn Christianson; sister-in-law, Sharon Pataska; brother-in-law Rick Ambuehl; along with several other family members and friends.  He is preceded in death by his daughter, Tara Pataska; parents, Donald and Naomi; brother, Rolland Pataska; sister, Penny Ambuehl; brother in-law, Jerry Prestwood.

Per Dick’s wishes there are no services being planned at this time.