Richard “Dick” Edward Edman, age 90, passed away in his home on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Dick was born on January 17th,1935, in Hibbing, Minnesota, the 9th child of the late John R. and Cora Belle (Lemieux) Edman. He attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1955. On August 4th,1956. He married his high school sweetheart, Donna Del Grande at the Immaculate Conception Church, in Hibbing. Together they raised six children Richard, Julie, Leslie, Tony, Patrick, and Ellen, while residing in Sheboygan, WI, most of their family life.
Dick played many sports including football, hockey, swimming, cross country, and track during his years at Hibbing High School. There he earned three 1st place medals and one 2nd place medal as part of the relay team at the Minnesota State swimming competition, as well as qualifying for state in track.
Dick attended one semester at Hibbing Junior College before enlisting for active duty in the U.S. Navy in 1956. After 2 years, he continued in the U.S. Naval Reserve until January, 1962. His service highlights began with training at Great Lakes Naval Base in Waukegan, Illinois. His first duty station was at Anacostia Receiving Station in Washington, D.C. where he took part in the prestigious Ceremonial Guard. He was selected as part of a group of four Navy personnel to participate in the second inauguration ball of Dwight D. Eisenhower. His second duty station was in Jacksonville, Florida where he served as Yeoman in the personnel department. During this period, his jet fighter unit was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to take part in carrier landings. At the end of his second year in the Navy, he returned to civilian life as a Naval Reservist.
Dick obtained early release to continue his college education where he received an Associates in Science degree from Hibbing Junior College in June, 1959, and a Bachelor of Science from Saint Cloud Teachers College in Minnesota in August 1961. He later earned a Master of Science in Teaching (History) from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in January, 1969.
Dick and his wife Donna moved to Sheboygan in 1961 where he taught History and Social Studies for 32 ½ years for Sheboygan North High School until his retirement in 1993. Dick developed many unique teaching methods and curriculum that earned him the respect of colleagues and the engagement of his students. His popular Social Problems class included an innovative unit on “Death and Dying” that culminated in field trips to Calvary Cemetery. He also earned a reputation for being able to work with challenging students. On many occasions students sought him out to thank him for his formative influence in their vocation and lives. During his years of teaching, he acted as Senior Class Advisor, Assistant Football Coach, and Varsity Football Coach for one year. He was voted Best Teacher several times by Senior Classes. Dick often recalled the fun teachers enjoyed at that time. He loved teaching and rarely missed work.
In addition to teaching, Dick always had part time and summer jobs. Initially at Verifine Dairy and later for the Sheboygan Recreation Department, American Red Cross and H.C. Prange’s as Sunday and Holiday Manager. He earned an award for 32 years of service from the SASD Recreation Department, some of which included co-working with his wife Donna in youth recreation programs. He was a Water Safety Instructor for the Red Cross for 9 years and greatly enjoyed teaching youth swimming along with several of his children at various Sheboygan County lakes.
Dick was a member of St. Dominic’s Parish where he was an Usher from 1965 to 2019. His civic organizations include membership in NEA, SEA, WEA, and YMCA, and he was a proud member of the Teamsters’ Union. Dick and Donna participated and supported numerous Catholic, social, political, environmental, and wildlife groups and anywhere else they felt they could make a positive impact. They contributed to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Safe Harbor, American Heart Assoc. and the American Cancer Society. A cornerstone of their lives has been their moral commitment to the well-being of others without expectation of anything in return.
Dick was a member of the Sheboygan Elks Lodge No. 299 and the Elk’s District and National Foundation since 1980 and Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Rosary #722 for 50 plus years. Dick served a term as Elks Treasurer receiving “Officer of the Year” two consecutive years. Dick was an active member of the Elks National Foundation. He was selected “Elk of the Year” from 1992-1993 for his hard work and dedication. Another proud moment in his life occurred when his oldest grandson, George Scheibel, earned the National Legacy Award, a scholarship program available for children and grandchildren of Elks’ members. Dick and Donna have taken active roles in many of the Elks fundraising and community outreach programs and also enjoyed Wednesdays at the Elks with their close friends for many years.
Dick was proud of his children’s parenting. He had a special relationship with each of his 15 grandchildren, and great granddaughter Inara Lee, participating and traveling to as many of their events as possible. A visit or outing with gramps and grams was a highlight and produced many wonderful, lasting memories. His family adored his humor and playfulness, his selfless and kind nature, as well as his intelligent input on many subjects.
Dick enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, canning, tinkering around the yard and anything to do with birds, nature, and being outdoors. He and Donna made time for friends and have enjoyed the company of their core group regularly and on various holidays throughout the year. He remained a loyal Raider, Packers and Bucks fan and loved to watch and often travel to see student athletics, especially basketball.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Donna; his 5 children, Richard, Albuquerque, NM, Julie (Pete) Scheibel, Sheboygan, Leslie (Todd) Shatkin, Buffalo, NY, Pat, Buffalo, NY, and Ellen (Pete) Janquart-Fullerton, Elkhart Lake; his former daughter-in-law, Chris Schmitt, Sheboygan; fifteen grandchildren, George Scheibel, Lillian (Rob) Schroeder,Truman (fiancé Alesha Buelter) Scheibel, twins Juliet and Jared (fiancé Alyssa Russell) Shatkin, Jade Shatkin, Sydney Edman, Hannah, Nathan, and Alivia Edman, Riley (Stuart) Halstead, Haley (fiancé Bryan Weiler) Fullerton, Cooper and Tanner Janquart, Avery Fullerton; his great granddaughter, Inara Lee Halstead; one brother, John Edman; sisters-in-law Patricia Gargano, Victoria Del Grande, Phyllis Brady, and Jane Olson. Dick is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and extended family including Sandy Janquart, Brian Moser, and Meagan Cassel and family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Tony; four brothers, Bob, Vern, Jerry, and Jim; three sisters, Margaret Quiggin, Lorraine DeMillo, and Joan Mehle; grandson Anderson Scheibel, son-in-law Daniel Janquart, daughter-in-law Debra Frank Edman; sisters-in-law, Anita and Jane Edman, Dorinne Turnsk and Dorothy Kinsbeck; brothers-in-law, Peter Gargano, Lud Mehle, Herman DeMillo, Thomas Brady, Darol Del Grande, Duane Simons, and Thomas Olson; nephews Anthony “Gus” Del Grande, Russell Quiggin , Paul Mehle, Jim Mehle, Raymond Simons, Steven “T-Bone” Edman, Chris Edman; nieces, Shelly Stark and Lola Olson.
To follow Dick’s wishes, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 2133 N. 22nd Street, Sheboygan. Father Nick Baumgardner will celebrate the Mass. Family and friends are welcome on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private family inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Salvation Army, the Sheboygan Elks 299 Endowment Fund, any charity that feeds the hungry, or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Dr. Johnson and Dr. Bettag, especially nurse practitioner Theresa Brosnan-Schuler, and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all of their loving care and support.
Dick cites an influential poet, Kahlil Gibran “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention”.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Dick’s arrangements.
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