Visitation will be on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel and will continue on Friday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Madelia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Madelia, on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 10:30 am.

The clergy will be Fr. Timothy Hall. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Madelia, Minnesota.

Military rites will be provided by the Madelia Area Veterans Honor Guard.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Richard “Dick” Gillespie was born on December 12, 1934 in Madelia, MN, to Elmer and Clara (Steinbach) Gillespie. He attended Catholic School through 10th grade, graduating from Madelia High School in 1952. After high school, he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. Dick married Kathryn Kay Gronewold on September 19, 1959 and began farming, moving to Lewisville in 1962. In later years, he worked for Feder Mechanical, Dick’s family was completed by a son and 2 daughters.

Dick was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was a member of the V.F.W, American Legion Post 19 and also a member of the Veteran’s Honor Guard. Dick was a giving man, helping others when he could, and also visiting the ill and anyone who needed a friend. He loved to play cards and shaking dice for quarters with his buddies at the bowling alley. A fisherman and hunter, he especially loved his fly-in fishing trips to Canada and halibut fishing in Alaska. He especially was happy to go on a safari trip to Zimbabwe, Africa.

Dick is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kay Gillespie; son, Tim (Terri) of Tempe, AZ; daughter Amy (Dan) Dougherty of Center Cross, VA; along with family members, and many wonderful long-time friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kara; 2 brothers, Patrick Gillespie (in infancy) and Tom Gillespie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Mayo Clinic, Rochester Hospice or the Madelia Veterans Memorial.

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