Richard Earl Vogt

Richard Earl Vogt, 79, of Webster, S.D., and formerly of Walker, died March 31, 2011, at his home in Webster.

Dick was born June 10, 1931, in Walker, Minn., to Sterling and Elizabeth (LaBarge) Vogt. He grew up in Walker, graduating from Walker High School in 1950. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country for four years of active duty and four years in the Navy Reserves.

He married Eleanor Zitzer Sept. 30, 1951 in Walker. Following his military duty he and Eleanor lived in Walker and Moundsview, Minnesota prior to moving to Alaska in 1974. He worked for Matanuska Telephone Association as a telephone installer repairman until his retirement in 1986. In 1994, they moved to Webster and have lived there until the present.

Dick, or “Windy” as he was affectionately known, will be remembered for his love for people and his ability to talk and make friends wherever he was. Under the “tough” exterior he was a generous, softhearted man who had no enemies and never gave up easily. He lived to hunt and fish and enjoyed many years of both in Alaska and South Dakota. He had a special passion for tying his own fishing tackle and was always proud of his latest creation. Dick also liked to bowl, and was an avid gardener, winning many first-place ribbons for his dinner-plate dahlias at the fair in Alaska. He leaves a lifetime of memories and stories that will be shared by all who knew him.

Dick is survived by his wife, Eleanor of Webster, son, Robert E. Vogt of Groton, S.D.; daughters, Cynthia (Donald) Slaughter of Kenai and Sandra (Markus) Vogt-Hellman of Lebanon, Ind.; sisters, Marie (Richie) Donnell of Walker and Carroll Bjorkland of Pine City, Minn., brother, James (Marilyn) Vogt on Hackensack, Minn.; grandchildren, Angel (Jason) Slaughter-Noyes of St. Johnsbury, Vt., David (April) Vogt of Crookston, Minn., Chad Slaughter of Anchorage, Trenton (Jamie) Vogt of Wasilla, Heidi (Chad) Hartshorn-Logan of Midway, Utah, Molly (Josh) Hartshorn-Pugh of Evansville, Ind., Christopher Vogt-Vigdahl of Palmer and Katie Vogt of Crosby, Texas; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edward and Earl (Dutch) Vogt; sister, Ruth Johns; son, Russell E. Vogt, and brothers-in-law, Dale Fitzgerald, Henry Johns and Ron Bjorklund.

Funeral services will be held April 7 at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Walker with Pastor Michael Bitz officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., April 6 at Dennis Funeral Home in Walker and one hour prior at the church. Dennis Funeral Home of Walker assisted the family in making funeral arrangements. Share on-line condolences at dennisfuneralhome.com.