Richard Voelz

Richard Fredric Voelz, age 70, of Eagle Lake, MN, and formerly of Eau Claire, WI, died Thursday, July 6, 2006 at his home. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 10, 2006 at Belgrade Avenue United Methodist Church in North Mankato, MN, with Rev. Bart Fletcher and Rev. James Roe officiating. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. on Sunday at Mankato Mortuary, Mankato, MN. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or Immanuel St. Josephs Hospice Program.

Richard was born on January 28, 1936 in Bismarck, ND. He lived his early years in western North Dakota and moved with his parents, Kermit and Loretta (Phillipe) Voelz to Drake, ND. He graduated from Drake High School in 1954 and served a brief stint in the US Navy. After receiving a medical discharge, he attended Dakota Business College in Fargo and Moorhead State College. He worked for Commercial Credit in the Duluth, Fargo-Moorhead and Mankato areas for several years. In 1957, he married Carole Fischer. They were later divorced.

In 1968, Dick joined the American National Bank and Trust Company of Eau Claire, WI and in 1970 became vice-president and senior loan officer. Dick graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1974. In 1979, he became president of Valley National Bank in North Mankato. He served as president of Valley Bank until 1991, when with the formation of Taylor Banc Shares, he became president of the holding company. He served in that capacity until 1997, when due to his health, he had to take early retirement.

Dick married his high school sweetheart, Aileen Filler on July 27, 1985. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. together and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Dick took an active interest in his community and church. He served on the Board of Directors for the MN Bank Holding Association, Mankato Rehabilitation Center, Koppen Gardens and United Way, serving as chairman and as co-chair. He also served on the Port Authority, North Mankato Civic and Commerce Association and was a member of North Mankato Rotary Club. He served as Treasurer and Financial Secretary of Belgrade Avenue UMC for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Aileen of Eagle Lake, MN; his mother, Loretta of North Mankato, MN; four daughters, Carmen Voelz (David Rose) of Brentwood, TN, Carletta (John) Mueller of Belle Plaine, MN, Candy (Mark) Gooderum of Minnetonka, MN, and Crystal (William) Kiesau of Walker, IA; son, Kevin (Rebecca) Voelz of Plymouth, MN; stepchildren, Timothy (Debbie) Filler of Hastings, MN, Thomas (Shannon) Filler of North Mankato, MN, and Tracy (Steve) Heidrich of Minot, ND; grandchildren, Jaron and Garrett Snoeyenbos, Katelyn and Casey Mueller, Colton Kiesau, Brian and Katherine Voelz, Dustin (Nicole) Filler and Hollie Filler, Melissa Schettler and her fiance, David OHara and Kristin Schettler, Jadin Heidrich, Tyler, Emilie and Cole Filler; sister, LaRita (Robert) Krueger of Dewey, AZ; two nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Kermit Voelz and a stepson-in-law, Thomas Schettler.