Richard Mindykowski

Richard Mindykowski, 92, Holcombe, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Marshfield.

Born Jan. 20, 1930, to Max and Martina (Kolar) Mindykowski, Richard was raised on a farm in Conrath.

He married his love and wife of 55 years, Eleanor Hopkins Linskey, Nov. 6, 1955, and together, they raised four children. A consummate family man, his loved ones were always a part of his conversations, followed by his next love, engines.

Richard’s love of tinkering and engines began at a young age, on the farm. As a young man, he drove milk truck for the Sheldon Creamery and later, worked for Star Oil and Dairyland Implement, until starting his own business, M & L Mechanical, where he worked until his retirement, at age 80.

Even in his retirement, Richard was never far from the shop and could often be found next door, at his grandson’s shop, talking engines. Until recent years, Richard would make an annual trek to Osage, Iowa, for their local steam engine days.

Throughout the years, Richard and his wife enjoyed traveling to see family around the country, and his passion for photography captured memories for all to enjoy. Anyone who met him would soon find that he loved to visit. Richard’s longtime hobby as a ham radio operator allowed him to communicate with people around the world. N9LIU, over and out.

He is survived by, and will be missed by, his loving sister – Kathleen Terasek; sons – Harold (Peggy) Linskey, Holcombe, and Dick (Jodi Gould) Mindykowski, Altoona; daughter – Betty (Greg) Mayer, Cumberland; daughter-inlaw – Irma Linskey, Boise, Idaho; 16 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; extended family of nieces and nephews; and many friends he made through the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents – Max and Martina Mindykowski; wife – Eleanor Mindykowski; son – Howard Linskey; brothers – Thomas and Sherril Mindykowski; sister – Carol Nash; brothers-in-law – Harold Hopkins, Melvin Nash and Richard Terasek; great-grandchildren – Wyatt Viegut and Philomena Linskey; and all the loved babies lost before they were born.

Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Church of Christ in Sheldon, with Jeremy Allard officiating. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the funeral at 1 p.m. Burial will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery and a luncheon will follow at the Community Center in Sheldon.

Nash-Jackan Funeral Home is assisting with the services.