Richard T. Wegner

Richard Timothy Wegner, 76, was called to his eternal home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 1, 2024, at 7:05 a.m. at Birch Hill Nursing home in Shawano.

He was born on Sept. 9, 1947, in Sheboygan, to his parents, the Rev. Mark and Gladys (Koeppe) Wegner. He was the third oldest of four children, Jaqueline, Lois and John. He confirmed his Christian faith at Christ Memorial Lutheran in Milwaukee and had Romans 1:16 as his confirmation verse. He graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School and from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois.

His first call was to be principal and teacher of grades 4-6 at Emanuel Lutheran Church and School in Tipton, Indiana. It was here where he met his wife, Carol (Leininger) and was married by his father at Emanuel on Feb. 14, 1970.

Richard went on to faithfully serve in Lutheran schools throughout his 43 years in ministry. From Emanuel, he went on to teach and be athletic director at St. Martini Lutheran School in Milwaukee; taught grades three and four and was principal at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Austin, Minnesota; and taught middle school level grades and was principal at St. John Lutheran School (Sherman Center) in Random Lake. He also served on the superintendent’s cabinet of the South Wisconsin District for several years.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Carol, and three grateful children, James (Jennifer) Wegner, of Stevens Point, Jeffrey “Jeff” (Ann) Wegner, of Cedar Grove, and Janette (Troy) Thompson, of Bonduel. All three of his children pursued careers in Lutheran education. Richard is also survived by seven adoring grandchildren, Tyler, Evan, Cylee, McKenna, Hailee, Emery and Braedy.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Richard loved a wide array of music, and you would often hear him whistling some tune. He enjoyed dogs, fishing, playing horseshoes, feeding and watching his birds, overseeing the activities and sunsets on Shawano Lake from his front porch, mowing lawn on his riding tractor, cheering on his Wisconsin sports teams and spending time with family.

A visitation time with family for expressing Christian love and support will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bonduel on Saturday, April 6, at noon. The Rev. Timothy Shoup will conduct a memorial service of praise and thanksgiving for God’s bountiful grace and blessings at the church at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

In honor of Richard’s ministry in Lutheran education, memorials may be directed to the North Wisconsin District’s Labor of Love Million Dollar campaign. This is a fund to help relieve church worker debt. The website to give is at nwdlcms.org (click the campaign button).

The family would like to thank all the nursing home and health care workers at Birch Hill for their care for Richard these last few months.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com