Richard Wiltgen

There will be a memorial service held Thursday, January 5 at 2:00 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church located at 679 W. Okoboji Grove Road, Arnold's Park, Iowa 51331. Richard Wiltgen, 73, of Spirit Lake, Iowa died Friday, December 30, 2016 after an 11-month battle with cancer. Richard was born on September 6, 1943 in LeMars, Iowa to Cyril and Olivia Wiltgen. Growing up, Dick worked with his Dad and brothers at Wiltgen Construction while attending grade school and high school at Gehlen Catholic. After high school, he spent one year at Westmar College in LeMars, followed by a year at trade school in Omaha, Nebraska where he fine-tuned his natural talent and become a master mechanic. Dick owned and operated the Mobil Service Station in LeMars for 20 years, a full-service station where he sold fuel, serviced vehicles of all types, and delivered fuel to farmers. There was no mechanical problem that Richard couldn't figure out, and he could be trusted to fix it right. Dick enjoyed piloting his Cessna 172 in the early years, then moved on to build and fly his Ultralight aircraft. He was married to Nancy (Ohm) and they had four children: Chuck, Danielle, John and Mark. They enjoyed these years working together at the gas station, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling, and waterskiing to name a few. Kids knew that if the extra-extra-long tow rope came out, there was going to be some serious fun. Many in LeMars will remember him during his time managing World on Wheels roller rink. He loved to entertain people and make them smile, from the music he chose to the games and dances he hosted. During this time, he and now-wife Marilyn started DM Dance and began offering country dance lessons to a loyal following of eager dancers. Richard worked as a maintenance manager for Brentwood Good Samaritan Center in LeMars where he touched many lives ensuring the residents not only had a great facility but also took the time to show them love - raising birds to entertain them and directing rollerskating demos featuring his kids and others from the roller rink and great music. In 1994, Richard and Marilyn moved to Spirit Lake and built their log home with their own hands. Dick revised the drawings and learned plumbing to bring this dream to life. They enjoyed life on East Okoboji Lake - especially the fishing and hunting. They began working for Polaris, Richard as a metal paint lead and welder, which enabled him to work on the toys he enjoyed - ATVs, watercraft and Victory motorcycles, just as he did in his personal life. Richard married Marilyn Helmers on August 4, 2000 in Sturgis, South Dakota. According to Richard, "by getting married in 2000, it's easier to remember how many years we've been married". Richard retired from Polaris after 13 years, but couldn't sit around long. He became a bus driver for Spirit Lake Community Schools. According to the kids that rode his bus, "he was the best bus driver!" and the kids adored him. Richard and Marilyn spent their spare time restoring their 1976 Dodge Warlock truck, winning over 30 awards for this restoration, most notably Best Dodge and Best Mopar in Irene, SD and Storm Lake, IA respectively. He and Marilyn continued to teach country dance lessons in Spirit Lake, developing lifelong friendships along the way. Throughout Richard's life, he was able to pick up something new and master it. Hard work was no stranger to Richard from the time he was a boy. He intuitively figured things out. He went the extra mile to make people laugh and enjoy themselves, and he himself always had a good laugh to give. Richard is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his four children: Charles Wiltgen and his wife Carrie Gotthelf, Danielle Mattiussi, John Wiltgen and his wife Laura, and Mark Wiltgen as well as 10 grandchildren: Sean, Blaine, Ethan, Olivia, Blake, Jayden, Noah, Kennedy, Maya and Dexter. He also leaves his three step-children, Donna Rojas, Tandy and her husband Don Snodgrass, and Carrie and Amanda Kelley and grandchildren April, Matthew, David, Jason, Nicole, Ashley, Brittani, Jesse, Marco, Jordan and 14 great-grandchildren. He is survived by sisters Betty Murphy of Omaha, Nebraska and Judy Robinette of Tacoma, Washington, and two brothers and sisters-in-law Tom and Jolene Wiltgen, and Ron and Cheryl Wiltgen all of LeMars, Iowa along with sisters-in-law Corinne Shirk of Lake Mills, Iowa, Sandra Armstrong of Buffalo Center, Iowa and Linda Minton and Linda's partner Dennis Brosh of Estherville, Iowa. He leaves several nieces and nephews. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Olivia Wiltgen, two brothers-in-law, Dr. William Murphy and Dr. Joe Robinette and a step-son Jeffrey Helmers. He leaves behind many friends to continue to country line dance using the moves he taught them, in hopes that they have a great time.