Richard Mathew Loewen

On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, Richard Mathew Loewen, age 87, shook off the physical burdens of his earthly body and went to be reunited with his parents and many other beloved relatives and friends in Heaven.

A lifelong resident of Kenosha, he was the third of six children born to Mathew and Violet (Fonk) Loewen on May 11, 1930.  As a boy he attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School and from there went on to St. Francis Seminary High School.  He spent many summers working for his dad at Reindl and Loewen Excavating.

Dick met the beautiful, love of his life, Suzanne Marie Peltier and thwarted attempts by others to drive her home from the Doctor’s office where she worked.  Dick married his bride on May 3, 1958 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.  That’s when the journey of life really picked up.  By the following year they had their first of 13 children and Dick went into business with his uncle, Earl Fonk, forming Loewen and Fonk Excavating.

He loved the great outdoors being both a hunter and fisherman.  Some of his best memories were made at Lake Namakagon and in Canada fishing “the aquarium”.  He and the “catch of his life” and their clan of kids traveled 400 miles many summers to Mogasheen Resort, stuffing the wood-paneled  station wagon to capacity.  They instilled a love of nature and family – the simple things money can’t buy, and passed that tradition onto his beloved grandchildren.

Dick would quietly give you the shirt off his back and never talk about it.  His mischievous grin and raising of eyebrows drew you in.  He was a people magnet to young and old alike.  He believed in giving people second chances and had the rare ability to not expect perfection in others because he knew he was not perfect himself.

His sweet tooth was legendary and homemade goodies arrived at the house on a regular basis from family and friends alike.

For ten years, he waged a battle against Parkinson’s with courage and humility and exceeded expectations only thru the steadfast, unfailing support of his family and love of Suzanne by his side.  But at the center of everything that encircled him was his faith.  He will continue to be a phenomenal example of what it means to sacrifice for others and be content with a simple life.  “We got it made” he would often say – “look around you”.

Besides immeasurable numbers of great friends, Dick is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Suzanne Loewen; his children, Peter (Nancy) Loewen, Anne (Mike) Walkowski, Matt (Theresa) Loewen, Ellen (Dale) Young, Jeanne (Kevin) Shaw, Andy (Suzanne) Loewen, Sally (Pat) Ewald, Joe (Jill) Loewen, Paul Loewen, Susan (Kyle) Wendorf, Dianne (Chad) Vetter, John (Special Friend-Rebecca Goldberger) and Beth Loewen; his grandchildren, Mark, David, Katie and Amy Walkowski, Jake, Zach and Emily Loewen, Kyle (Allyson) and Tim Young, Jared (fiancé-Melanie Sta Maria), Nate and Luke Shaw, Karlie (fiancé-Kenny Dux) and Erik Loewen, Ben, Chloe and Sydney Ewald, Erin, Josh, Justine, Robin and Kayla Loewen, Olivia, Ethan and Isaac Wendorf, Cameron, Madeline and Lily Vetter.

He is further survived by his brothers, Robert (Kay) and Donald (Emily) Loewen; his sisters, Mary Jane (Special Friend-Jerry Poltrock) Blank, Joan Sweeney and Dolores (Gale) Flake; and his in-laws, Leo (Joan), Sally, Richard (Ruth), Carol, Eileen, Karen, Jerry and Daniel (Mary) Peltier; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mathew and Violet Loewen; Dick was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Lawrence Peltier; his mother-in-law, Olga Peltier; his brothers-in-law, William, Raymond and Thomas Peltier, Earl Blank and Robert Sweeney; and his sister-in-law, Anita Peltier.

Dick’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Gary Leo, Froedtert South – 4^th Floor staff, Froedtert South Cardiac Rehab Team, Dr. Michael Slimack and his staff, Brookside Care & Rehab Center; especially Kenny and special friend, Nancy Bickle, for the exceptional love and care they provided.