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Richard Anthony Pechacek, age 79, of River Falls, Wisconsin, passed away on November 4, 2026 peacefully at his home.
Rick was born on May 3, 1947, in River Falls to Roman and Dolores (Bachel) Pechacek. His education consisted of Angel Hill School, St. Bridget’s Catholic School and graduated from River Falls High School in 1965. While in school Rick served as the FFA President and later as the Wisconsin State FFA Vice President.
Raised on the Double R Ranch, Rick didn’t really enjoy farming, but he learned a tireless work ethic and did what had to be done, a mindset that followed him throughout his life.
At his birth, Rick met his future wife, Barbara Edgar, at the hospital, as they were born just a day apart. And as fate would have it, they grew up just one-tenth of a mile from each other. Although, they never really ‘noticed’ each other until their junior year of high school. Rick and Barb were married on June 10, 1967, at St. Bridget Church.
While Rick worked many different jobs throughout his life (farm, gas station attendant, city street department, South St. Paul meatpacking plant), most of this career was at 3M in Cottage Grove, MN. Over his 38-year career at 3M, Rick served in a wide range of roles including building supervisor and as a first responder on the company fire department. Rick also served countless hours over a 10-year span working at the River Falls Food Shelf.
He enjoyed time with family with trips to South Dakota, California, Florida, amusement parks and countless gatherings at the Pechacek and Edgar farms.
Rick is survived by his wife Barbara Pechacek (Edgar); children Annette Johnson (Dan) and Scott Pechacek (Lora); grandchildren Cody Johnson (Shanya), James Pechacek (Stephanie), Rachel Pechacek, Kelsey Johnson (Joe Sanford), Evan Pechacek (Kathryn); great-grandchildren Emily Pechacek, Connor Sanford, Savannah Sanford; siblings Patty Most (Phil), Karen Marsh, Tom Pechacek, Janice Pechacek (Tim); and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Rick was preceded in death by his daughter Paula Pechacek, parents Roman and Dolores Pechacek, and brother-in-law Toby Garey.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 9, 2026, at 12:00pm at St. Bridget Church, 211 E Division Street, River Falls, WI. Visitation will also be on Monday from 10:00am-12:00pm at the church. Interment will be in St. Bridget Cemetery.
We would like to thank Adoray and Hospice Care for their compassionate care, Dr. Hugec, MD and Father Harris for love he gave over the years. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
Rick came into this world as a child of God, then became a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and a great-grandfather. I am dying a man and now become a child of God. GO PACK GO!
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