Richard Olthafer
December 28, 1930 - April 09, 2018
Obituary
Richard “Dick” J. Olthafer, 87, of Platteville, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at Manor Care Health Services, Platteville. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville. Rev. Jeff Pedersen will officiate. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday April 12, 2018 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Richard “Dick” Olthafer Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.
Dick was born on December 28, 1930 in Platteville, the son of George and Dorothy (Goke) Olthafer. He was united in marriage to Donna Weigel on January 21, 1956 at the Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville. Dick farmed his whole life, in the Belmont and Platteville area. He showed Charolais beef cattle and also cared for horses, mules, alpacas, and almost any other type of animal you can think of on the farm. He had a great passion for farming and all the hard work and care that went with it. In the later years, Dick sold real estate and trucked livestock. He also would attend the farmer's market where he would sell his alpaca fiber products. Dick was also a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church of Peace.
Dick is survived by his wife, Donna, of 62 years; four children, Melissa Burbach, John Olthafer, Roberta (Keith) Glasson, and Justin (Sue Speth) Olthafer; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; brothers, George and Clifford; and sister, Katherine Gruenwald.