LODI / HARMONY GROVE - Rick Paske, age 73, of Lodi, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, alongside, and with hands held with his wife, Denise, daughter, Heather, and niece, Adrienne. He was born on August 11, 1951, in Portage, Wis., the son of Russell and Elizabeth “Christy” (Christianson) Paske. Rick graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1969 and married Denise Field on August 17, 1974, at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Horeb.

Rick started working at the age of 12 delivering newspapers, up early and responsible, a hard worker from the beginning. Rick found his skill in construction and his niche as a concrete contractor. He worked with various companies until a partnership began with Phil, Al and Rick, known as PAR Concrete. He worked as much as he could, and in the free time, there was hunting and fishing which he loved. Rick then retired in the summer of 2012 when he was first diagnosed with tongue cancer. Undergoing reconstruction surgery and radiation treatment, he came through and gave us all those extra years until August 2023, when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Rick went through almost a year of chemo treatments and then he chose to live his life, and that he did. As the Frank Sinatra song goes, “I DID IT MY WAY.”

If you knew Rick from high school, you likely knew him as “Pack Rat.” If you knew him from his move to Lake Wisconsin, he was “Duckman,” and through the years he was best known as “Ducky.” Moving to the Lake Wisconsin area was always his and Denise’s dream as they neared towards retirement. Rick and Denise spent time together enjoying their lake home and watching sunsets. They became fast friends with the neighborhood where their families' enjoyed years of memories and outside of the neighbors, their friendship circle grew. They went on gambling trips and some great weekend getaways, as well as trips to Florida, many years of Cool Deadwood Nights and the greatest of all - their Alaskan Cruise. Together they were always on the move, visiting place to place, jumping in on euchre tournaments every now and again and being social, very social.

Ducky was kind with a rough edge but deep down he had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. If you truly knew him, you knew that for sure. He was a loving husband of 50 years just this last August, and an incredible father who was there for all of Heather’s sporting events and taught a great work ethic. Rick was also “Papa” to Jackson, his only grandchild, his “Little Man.” He loved his Little Man and was looking forward to teaching him to drive, which he will do so now, but in spirit. Ducky was a good brother, a favorite uncle, and a best friend who will be missed.

Rick is survived by his wife, Denise; one daughter, Heather (Lon Slonaker), and one grandchild, Jackson, of Poynette; brothers, Jeff (Robin) Paske of Mount Horeb and Randy (Cindy) Paske of Prairie du Sac; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and friends, friends, and more friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Elizabeth (Christy) Paske; and brother, Greg Paske.

A funeral service will be held at DEKORRA LUTHERAN CHURCH, N3099 Smith Road, Poynette, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Family and friends are welcome to attend and also join the family for a celebration of life at THE WADDLE INN, N1430 Highway 113, Lodi, Wis., from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Burial will take place at Dekorra Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Agrace HospiceCare. We are also incredibly grateful to our niece, Adrienne Paske Halma, who was there with us and beside our husband and father as he passed. Together we shared a beautiful memory that will never be forgotten. A special thanks as well, to the staff at Gunderson Funeral Home for allowing us the time we needed when Rick passed, and to Lon Slonaker for his love to our family and work in making sure Rick’s arrangements are handled and that he is forever remembered as “Ducky.”

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

Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main St.
(608) 592-3201

Ricky Neale "Rick" Paske

August 11, 1951 - March 01, 2025

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