Richard G. Solterman

BARABOO/PORTAGE – Richard G. Solterman, age 91, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Oak Park Place in Baraboo on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at Oak Park Place in Baraboo.

He was born on October 7, 1929, in Marquette County, the son of Richard D. and Marjorie (Cease) Solterman. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He married Marlene (Ravey) on December 29, 1950, and she preceded him in death on March 23, 2003. He was united in marriage to Diane (Weichmann) Hons at Parfrey’s Glen in rural Baraboo on October 1, 2006. Dick worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles for many years in Fond du Lac. One of his accomplishments was writing the first manual for motorcycle safety. He enjoyed the game of golf immensely and was proud of scoring a hole in one. He loved traveling with Diane during the winter months and meeting friends and family in Texas, Arizona and Florida.

Dick was a gentleman who was content to spend his twilight years with Diane, keeping family and friends close to his heart in the home that he built.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Hons-Solterman of Baraboo; children, Dawn (Emmett) Campos, Susan (Jim) Audette, and Mark Solterman; granddaughter, Regina Campos; stepchildren, Mark (Dawn) Twing, Shelley (Tim Walsvick) Twing, Beth (Randy) Krey, Greg Hons and Chris Hons. He is further survived by his step-grandchildren, who will remember him as Grandpa Dick: Matthew (fiancé Kayla Thur) Twing, Tyler (Amelia) Twing, Bristol (Matt Hunter) Walsvick, Ryland (Missie Larrabee) Walsvick, Cole (fiancée Kristina Stemper) Twing, Holly (Greg) DuBois, Tonya Messer and Kaitlyn Twing. He will also be remembered by many loving nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marlene Solterman; brother, Charles (Lois) Solterman; sister, Betty (Silas) Hirte; and stepchildren, Tom Twing and Steve Twing.  

A private memorial gathering will be at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on Friday, February 19, 2021, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Military honors will be provided by the Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard.  Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at UP Cemetery in Buffalo Township. 

The family would like to thank Agrace North Team for their continued care and support for Richard.

All of Dick’s family and friends loved him and cared for him. He will be deeply missed by all.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

 

You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes
and pray that he’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes
and see all he’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow
and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he’s gone,
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back,
or you can do what he’d want--
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.