Dick Liljegren

Dick Liljegren, 89, of Stratford, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Westhaven Community of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. At Dick's request, services will be private.

The son of Wilmer (Bill) & Margaret (Quinn) Liljegren, he was born at the family home in Dayton, Iowa on Dec. 26, 1927.
Dick attended Dayton schools and following graduation in 1945, enlisted in the U.S. Army. Discharged in 1947, he attended Fort Dodge Community College and the University of Iowa, graduating with the class of 1951.

On June 23rd, 1952, Dick & Phyllis Lind of Dayton were married at Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Lehigh, Iowa. Their son, Mark, was born in June of 1953 and daughter, Susan in August, 1954. Ten years later, they welcomed daughter Ann, in June of 1964, who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Following graduation, Dick worked for Iowa Electric Supply in Fort Dodge, owned and operated Dick's Café in Dayton for 4 years, and was with Farm Bureau Insurance services in Iowa & Minnesota. In May of 1959, while in Minneapolis, he joined the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company of Boston. Dick worked for Liberty for the next 31 years, serving in a variety of sales and management positions in New England and the Mid-West. He retired in Chicago in 1990 as Northern Region Sales Manager.

In retirement, Dick and Phyllis returned to Dayton to enjoy being around family and old friends. Dick and Phyllis loved to travel and did so extensively. They traveled independently and with groups, and Dick has had the opportunity to visit all fifty states and more than thirty foreign countries.

Dick enjoyed every day of retirement. His 6 acres of woods & weeds provided the opportunity to stay busy at all times. Twice a day seminars at the local coffee shop solved the world's problems and daily golf in summer was a must. He was active in Christ the King Catholic Church and a Dayton Lions member for over 25 years. He was an avid Hawkeye sports fan and waited 80 years for the Cubs to become world champions.

After 54 years of a wonderful marriage, Phyllis passed away in 2006 after a long battle with leukemia. Dick's devotion and love for Phyllis as she bravely fought her illness was inspirational to his family and a confirmation that true love does exist in this world.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David.
Survivors include Mark (Eileen) of Streamwood, Il, Susan (Bill) Grandt of Arlington Heights, Il. and Ann (Roy) Snyder of Clive, Iowa, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Also surviving Dick is his very dear friend and travel companion, Pat Tuel, of Stratford. They have had the opportunity to travel together and have spent the last six winters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Frequent visits by family & friends from home, making many new friends in the area, and exploring the region made this a special time.

Dick was an avid reader, fervent follower of all things political, enjoyed a battle of wits and a fast game of 500. He loved a good glass of red, a nice smooth Scotch on the rocks, and a really good Italian meal. Dick led his life with a positive spirit, a sense of humor and a special kindness that will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Memorials may be directed to Mary Greeley Medical Hospice.