Richard "Stretch" Wehage
May 1, 1934 ~ January 8, 2019
Richard “Stretch” Wehage, 84, Fargo passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Essentia Health, Fargo surrounded by his family.
Richard was born May 1, 1934 in Fargo, North Dakota to Herman and Pauline (Gessner) Wehage. He attended Sacred Heart School and later received his G.E.D when he was in the Navy. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1952-1956 on the U.S.S. Ashland. He moved back to Fargo where he worked as an orderly at the Veterans Administration Hospital where he met the love of his life Janice Fox. They were married on September 15, 1962 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Walhalla, ND. To this union, four beautiful children were born. Richard was a devoted caregiver and husband before her passing on October 11, 2018.
He worked for the City of Fargo as an Equipment Operator for nearly 30 years.
He was an avid supporter of Fargo Shanley High School and NDSU athletics. Many trips were taken to watch his beloved grandchildren at their various sporting events.
He was a long-time member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church where he was very active, serving as an Usher for many years. He was also a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Colombus. He enjoyed playing cards, grilling burgers and making meatballs at the KC’s.
Family was a top priority in his life and he was so proud of each and every one of his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his children; Dan (Kay) Wehage, Peggy Wehage, Kathy (Don) Dabbert; grandsons, Isaac and Carter Brooks; grand-daughters, Isabell and Elizabeth Dabbert; sisters, Dorothy Burmeister, Helen Pfeifer; brother, Robert (Laurie) Wehage and best friend of 74 years, Wayne Blanchard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Janice, and daughter, Patricia Rae.
Stretch’s family would like to thank the staff of New Perspective Senior Living and Essentia Health for their kindness and support.
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Stretch was a friend at Sacred Heart, and then with our wives, playing cards. We put the children to bed at one of our apartments and then played. Really was a special time, as there was no money for baby sitters. He was also the main reason our St. Mary’s eighth grade basketball team lost to St. Anthonys! Prayers at daily Mass, Annie/Tom
Janice and Dick are now reunited. As we travel up north this year, we will pass through Fargo and as we do, we will think about the two of them , but unlike so many other years we will not stop to have lunch with them. God has a plan for all of us. C&H
Lost another one of the old school. Another OK guy. Been many years since we renewed old friendship. Rest in peace buddy, Rest in Peace.
Stretch was such a great guy, so easy to talk to and I will always remember his infectious smile he always had one. R.I.P Strech
MY condolences to the family of Stretch. A kind man with a gentle smile.
I had the privilege of caring for him (through education) at Essentia.
My condolences to the family also as I had not known that Janice passed away so recently too.
May the memories of Stretch and Janice keep the family and friends smile and comforted just by knowing they were in it.
Rest in Paradise, Stretch and Janice.
Rest in Peace, Uncle Dick and Aunt Janice. I love you both very much, and you will truly be missed by so many, but you are back together again. Oh, we have so many wonderful memories….
* Hearing the latest news of the kids and grandkids; there was nothing more important to Uncle Dick and Aunt Janice than their precious family.
* Playing ‘Oh Hell’ and ‘Skit’ after every holiday meal; there was always a lot of card playing!!!
* Eating spaghetti and meatballs at the annual dinner at the Seminary; Uncle Dick usually made the meatballs and served the dinner to guests
* Watching Dave and Dick playing cribbage at the lake. Dave says Uncle Dick usually beat him 2 out of 3 games
* Sharing the cole slaw with Uncle Dick at our holiday dinners; I don’t remember why we always fought over the cole slaw!!!
* Seeing Dick and my Daddy drinking their ‘Old Fashioneds’; Dad did make the best (so they say, I cannot validate this fact)!!!
* Grinding the Thanksgiving dinner into a puree when he got his teeth pulled for dentures
* Celebrating every holiday in Moorhead or at the lake with the Wehages; Aunt Janice usually brought the green pistachio salad
* Sharing the turkey gizzards with Mike and sending the turkey neck home with Uncle Dick
* Seeing that infectious smile which was always on his handsome face
* Watching him water ski; he always remembered to take out his teeth before going
* Hearing about their traditions of attending 5:00 mass and then having dinner with the Blanchards – every Saturday
* Sneaking the bacon off the turkey on the grill (we always had turkey on the grill when celebrating Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day)
* Participating as a Fourth Degree Knight at Midnight Mass
I knew Dick because I worked for the Federal Employee Program at BCBS ND. Dick was one of my favorite members. It was more like chatting with a neighbor than helping someone with their insurance questions. He was one of the few members I missed after retiring. RIP Dick and Janice.
Janice and my wife, Judy, were good friends from their school days in Walhalla. Janice and Dick were married a week before us in the Catholic Church in Walhalla. Over the years, we and our families visited back and forth many times. Dick and I became good friends too. I always looked forward to our visits in Fargo. Dick would tour me around and bring me up to date on everything that was happening. He really knew Fargo, not only because of his job with the City, but also because of his interest and love for the City. He would have made a great ambassador for Fargo.. I have many great memories of our visits. I will miss those times.
Thank you, Stretch, for your support of Shanley High School. The whole Catholic Schools Network is a beneficiary of your devotion and compassion. May the Lord grant unto you eternal life.
My thoughts and prayers for Janice and Dick’s wonderful family as they mourn the deep loss of their parents and grandparents. Sadly and unbelievably, visits with them in ND have ended, but prayers and love continue.
Dick was such a kind, pleasant and humble man, with a ready smile. He dearly loved and was so proud of his family and grandchildren. He selflessly gave of his time and most of all, the love he had for Janice, as her caretaker. May he Rest in peace with Janice and Patty eternally.
Rest in peace Strech.
I remember you when I was a young boy in Fargo in the ’50’s.
I am the oldest child of Dorothy and Fred Hughes