Richard Volkmuth

Richard (Dick) F. Volkmuth, 77, of Brainerd, Minnesota died peacefully in his sleep on August 8, 2006 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Baxter. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 14, 10:30 am, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, with the Rev. Father Kristoffer McKusky officiating. Friends may visit Sunday, August 13, 5-7 pm, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, with parish prayers at 6:30 pm, and at church during the hour prior to services. Interment will be at St. Thomas of the Pines Cemetery in East Gull Lake.
Dick was born March 11, 1929, to Anton and Clara (Zapf) Volkmuth, in St. Cloud. He was united in marriage to Lois Maehren September 2, 1950, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in St. Cloud; he was the proud father of eight children. Dick started his printing career working with his family while in his teens, with the St. Cloud Shopping News that his father started in the 1930s. The Shopping News evolved into the Photo News, which then evolved into Volkmuth Printers in St. Cloud. Volkmuth Printers purchased Bang Printing in Brainerd in 1973, and Dick moved to Brainerd to manage it from 1973-1979. He then opened and operated Office Supply Center in downtown Brainerd. Dick & Lois purchased the old S & L building in downtown Brainerd in 1979, doing major renovation and improvement for downtown Brainerd and providing an office and retail center called the Downtown Mall.

Dick was an active member and patron of St. Francis Catholic Church, and was a past-member of the Knights of Columbus and Rotary International. He was on the Board of Directors for Camp Confidence, was president of Birthright, and was on the Board of Brainerd Improvement. Dick served as vice-president (1977-1978) and then president (1978-1979) of Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce. He was very active in improving the Brainerd Lakes area and, in particular, downtown Brainerd. In retirement Dick occupied himself with a passion for doing large, beautiful needlepoint artwork. His works were on display in Las Vegas, San Antonio, and Brainerd, and were highlighted on the Northward Bound television show in Bemidji.

Dick is deeply missed by Lois, his wife of nearly 56 years; children, Timothy (Barbara) Volkmuth, Bennet, WI, Jerome (Anita) Volkmuth, Brainerd, Robert (Sue) Volkmuth, Brainerd, Peggy (Marc) Serani, Baxter, John (Kathryn) Volkmuth, Princeton, Jean Volkmuth, Baxter, Carol (Jon) Rogeski, Nine Mile Falls, WA, and Mary Cooper, Midland, TX; siblings Anthony Volkmuth, Waite Park, Donald (Joan) Volkmuth, St. Cloud, Alice (Walter) Sand, New Munich, David (Charlotte) Volkmuth, St. Cloud, and Frances (Gordon) Jacobson, Ely; 25 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three grandchildren, Scott Hanson, Shane Volkmuth, and Shannon Volkmuth; and two great-grandchildren, Jordon and Patience. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.