Obituary of Richard Frederick Danowsky

Richard Frederick “Dick” Danowsky, beloved husband, dad and grandpa went home to be with the Lord December, 19, 2016 following an illness with congestive heart disease. Dick was born April 4, 1942 in Minneapolis, MN to the late Richard A. and Hilda C.S. (Mahler) Danowsky. He grew up on a farm in Rochester, MN. At age 13, Dick entered Concordia Academy in St. Paul, MN, and graduated in 1960. He excelled in academics and participated in football, baseball and basketball. In 2006, he was inducted in the Concordia Alumni Hall of Fame. He graduated from Coe College and earned a degree in Business. Following in his father’s footsteps, he pursued a life-long career in insurance and financial services in Appleton, WI and Des Moines, IA. In 2002, he retired and moved to Sunrise Beach, MO. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and served as a volunteer fireman with the Sunrise Beach Fire Department. Dick loved history, reading westerns, following politics, travel, woodworking, creating folk art, sharing stories and playing cards. He coached and took great pride in following his children and grandchildren in their athletic and musical pursuits. He was an outdoorsman and particularly loved life at the Lake, and fishing with Karla or anyone else who wanted to ‘wet a line’. He came to know the Lord early in life and loved sharing his faith with friends and family. He is survived by wife Karla R. Danowsky, sons Gus (Dawn) Kiss of Sammamish, WA, Rick (Beth) Danowsky of Sigourney IA, and daughter Cynthia Fischer, Iowa City, IA; and grandchildren Alex and Jerred Kiss, Nacole (Zach) Wilson, Kyle and Dalani Fischer, Andi, Tori and Dani Gates, Emily, Abbey and Ricky Danowsky. Brothers Mark (Nancy) Danowsky, Phil (Kyanne) Danowsky, sisters Kay Mitchell and Suzie Shaw, and sister-in-law Ilene Pemper. He was preceded in death by a daughter Shari Gates, parents Richard A. and Hilda C. Danowsky, brother Steven, father and mother-in-law Ray & Erna Heuser, brother-in-law Alvin (Ruth) Gehrke, sister-in-law Helen Hildebrandt, sister-in-law Glenda (Bruce) Schiller, and brother-in-law John Pemper. The family wishes to thank Lake Regional Rehabilitation Staff in Laurie and Dr. Spaedy and the staff at the Heart Center in Columbia, MO, and Pastor Lehenbauer, and the local Hospice team for their care and support during this difficult time. We are humbled by your support and acts of kindness.