Louis S Richie age 85 years of North Hudson died Friday March 16, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Louie was a life-long resident of North Hudson where he was born on June 28, 1926 the son of Eugene and Caroline (Ranallo) Richie. He attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Hudson High. Louie, like many of his early relatives, was employed by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a locomotive mechanic who kept those big steam engines operating. On November 23, 1948, he was united in marriage to Gwelda Mitchell at St. Patricks.
Louie was very proud of his Italian heritage. He kept many of his family recipes and loved to prepare special dishes for his family. He was always good natured and had a quest for taking care of his family and grandkids who knew him as “Papa Louie”. In his early years he was a high scoring bowler, excelled in beer and wine making and family and friends knew when he had a productive vegetable garden because he shared the produce with everyone. Louie was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the WI National Guard and was honored to be chosen as the popular Pepper King for the North Hudson Pepper Festival. Surviving Louie are daughters, Diana (Bob) Wagner, Pam (friend Richard) Drost both of Hudson, and Brenda (Randy) St Ores, son Kevin (Terri) Richie of North Hudson, sisters, Mary Marino of Minneapolis and Margaret Buttke of North Hudson, ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, five brothers, and wife Gwelda.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson, WI. Burial will follow at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Hudson. Pallbearers will be Grant Richie, Patrick St Ores, Daniel Wiseman, Eric Wanek, Steve and Chris Drost, with Fred Buttke and Chip Altman being the Honorary Bearers, memorials are preferred. A time of Visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to services at the church, as well as from 4-7pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson. Services are in care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson chapel. 715.386.3725