LODI - Richard L. "Dick" Hillestad, age 81, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at UW Hospital and Clinics.

He was born on September 22, 1942, in Madison, the son of Chet and June (Rutlin) Hillestad. At a young age, Dick spent his time fishing in Lodi’s Spring Creek and serving as an apprentice for Chet’s Electric, serving the greater Lodi, Dane, Poynette, Portage and surrounding areas.

Dick was a 1960 graduate of Lodi High School. He was drafted into military duty and proudly served in the U.S Navy from 1964 through 1967. Following his military duty, Dick traveled to California and worked in the Bay Area for Hillestad Pharmaceuticals and explored Hawaii and Alaska while living on the west coast. He moved back to Lodi in 1969 and began working as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service in Lodi. He was a frequent participant in evening softball and bowling leagues, where he met a newly hired 2nd grade teacher at Lodi Schools.

On January 20, 1973, he married Elizabeth Tank in Sauk City, WI. They settled in Lodi and were regular league participants at the Lodi Bowl. They welcomed a son (Derek) in 1977 and traveled throughout the United States regularly on summer trips to see family and national landmarks. He delivered mail on a walking route in Lodi and then a rural route in Arlington until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of the Lodi Presbyterian Church and the VFW Post 216.

In his retirement years, Dick enjoyed traveling with Elizabeth throughout the US and Canada and was an avid fan of Wisconsin sports, including the Badgers, Packers, Brewers, and Bucks but loved most watching their grandson's games and participation in sports. Dick was able to be a part of the Badger Honor Flight in 2022, an experience he truly treasured.

In addition to Elizabeth, his wife of 51 years, he is survived by his son, Derek (Kelli) and their sons, Spencer and Carter; his sister, Jean Mulcahy; his sisters-in-law, Ellen (Edwin) White and Pat Tank; and other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Mark Mulcahy, and brothers-in-law, James Mulcahy and Bill Tank, Jr.

Memorial Service will be held at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 258 Lodi St, at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Rev. Jessica Scholten presiding. Burial will be held at Garden Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St. from 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, and also on Thursday at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Badger Honor Flight.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 South Main Street
(608) 592-3201

Richard Hillestad

September 22, 1942 - July 03, 2024

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