Fred P. Wichlacz

Fred Peter Wichlacz, 82, of Pepin, Wisconsin, died Sunday at his home. He was born December 12, 1924 in Pulaski, Wisconsin to Frank and Sophia (Kuchek) Wichlacz and graduated from high school there in 1943. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater during WW II as a Radar Technician, being honorably discharged in 1946. In 1952 he moved to Red Wing and was employed as a Financial Officer at Riedell Shoes. He married Carmen Rapp on October 6, 1973 at the Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing. He retired from Riedell Shoe Company in 1986, as CEO. After retirement he received his Stockbroker's License and did consulting work for small businesses in the area and had also served on the Board of Director's of Hiawatha National Bank until 2007. He was a member of the RW Development Corp. during the acquisition and development of RW Industrial Park as well as a member of the Red Wing Chamber of Commerce; a trustee for RW Library Board and RW YMCA; a member and President of the RW Manufacturers Assoc.; the Pepin Economic Development Comm.; Church of St. Joseph; Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54; Burnson-Lillyblad VFW Post #1218; BPOE Lodge #845 and Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing and reading.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen of Pepin; two sons, Douglas (Virginia) of Ft. Collins, CO. and Charles (Linda) of Brimson, MN; two daughter-in-laws, Debbie Shekoski of St. Paul and Terri Wichlacz of Duluth; 7 grandchildren, Kristen (Kirby Buss) Wichlacz, Kent Wichlacz, Katherine (Josh) Lanham, Jason (Kelly) Wichlacz, John (Sara) Wichlacz, Becky Wichlacz, Alicia Wichlacz; 3 great-grandchildren, Devin, Ender and Kyle; and two brothers, Robert (Dorothy) Wichlacz of Chippewa Falls, Wisc. and Frank Jr., (Diane) Wichlacz of Pulaski, Wisc.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Norbert and Leonard Wichlacz, an infant sibling and one son, Bruce Wichlacz.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at the church. Memorials to Kidney Foundation. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.