Richard Leon Widerholdt

Richard Leon “Dick” Widerholdt went to be with his Lord and Saviour on May 28, 2026 passing peacefully at home with his family at his side. Richard was born on December 9, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Leon “Leo” Widerholdt and Rose Priscilia (Ravasz) Widerholdt.

Richard grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Shorewood High School in 1949. He enrolled in the school of Business Education at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and left after two years for the United States Army.

Richard served at Fort Breckinridge, Kentucky and then assigned to Officer’s Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in October, 1952 and assigned to duties at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Richard was honorably discharged in September, 1953.

Upon completion of his armed service commitment, he returned to Whitewater, Wisconsin to complete his education in preparation for teaching. He graduated in January, 1956 and accepted a position as teacher of business in the Los Angeles City Schools system, teaching at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.

Richard left teaching to go into business and joined the Mercury Division of the Ford Motor Company working as a business management analysist in the Maywood plant. From there he became an adjuster with State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, eventually becoming an Agent, maintaining an office for eight years in the greater Long Beach area.

He met and married the love of his life Patricia “Patsy” Jane (Buffalo) of Long Beach, California in May of 1963. Patsy came in to open an insurance policy and for 63 years, he never left her side.

Richard left the insurance business in 1967 to follow his Lord’s calling attending the Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and completed his studies in February, 1970 just after the birth of his son Curtis. While attending the Seminary, he was employed as a Lay Assistant at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Richard received and accepted a call to minister to the Flaxville Lutheran Parish in Flaxville, Montana, and moved to that area in December 31, 1969. He was installed as the Pastor on March 15, 1970. With Patsy as a constant by his side, they served the Lord together for over 40 years in parishes in Montana at Flaxville, Pleasant Prairie, Bonner, Scobey, and Peerless and parishes in North Dakota at Columbus, Lignite, and Stanley.

They finally made the decision to “retire” to their Montana lake home on Flathead Lake in 1996 but within a week, Richard received and accepted a call to minister in Polson, Montana. Along with a group of 20 some parishioners, they decided to build Polson Community Church where he went on to serve as Pastor with Patsy by his side for 14 more years.

Richard was loved and was able to touch so many people everywhere they served and always had a smile and joke to share. He lived a full life filled with many hobbies and enjoyed daily crossword puzzles, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Richard was a lifelong fan and cherished his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers.

Richard leaves his wife and soulmate, Patsy of 63 years, his son Curtis (Ewa), and grandson Alex. Although his will be greatly missed, Richard’s memory will be cherished forever. We look forward to a celebration of his life, to be scheduled at a later date.