Richard “Rick” Allen Koeller, 64, died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Two celebrations of life gatherings will be held. One Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Platteville Golf and Country Club, 6729 N Water St. Platteville, WI 53818, and one on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 12 p.m. at the Burlington Golf Club. Memorials may be made to the Richard Koeller Memorial Fund.
Rick was born on Jan. 8, 1960 in Platteville Wis.. He was the son of Patrenella (Penny) and Christian Koeller. He lost his mother Penny to a car accident when he was a young boy and was adopted by Elizabeth (Betty) Koeller when she and his father got married. He was united in marriage to his beloved wife, Vicki (Zaiser) Koeller in Pine Grove, Colo. on Sept. 4, 2016. Rick grew up chasing adventures on the backroads of Southern Wisconsin and loved to tell stories about all of the trouble he talked himself out of. He graduated from Cuba City High School, WI in 1979 and went on to work at several jobs including Woodward Printing Services in Platteville Wis. for 20 years. He owned and operated The Hideout Bar in Benton, WI for 6 years where he became everyone’s best friend and made so many of his favorite memories. He then moved on to work at Rite Hite in Dubuque for 5 years and finally ABB in Burlington for 5 years before he retired due to health reasons.
He was a quirky guy full of good times and laughter. He made friends with everyone he met. There is nothing he loved more than golfing, the Green Bay Packers, traveling and raw meat. But the true love of his life was his wife, Vicki. They spent 9 years traveling, camping, golfing and living life together. His love for her radiated off him.
Rick was also a pyro and loved to make things go BOOM! He was the guy to get cherry bombs from and he enjoyed helping his brother, Russ, in his fireworks business. Rick’s claim to fame was his homemade meatloaf and Bloody Marys, but he was also a pool shark and loved bowling and hunting. He lived for his hunting trips with his best friend Barth and other friends in Northern Wisconsin. He could tell stories for days of all the mischief they got into.
He was a loveable instigator and if you got too close, you might end up with a finger in your ear and a playful grin. He loved ice cream, beer, going out to eat and spending time with his family. He was a man of few words, but was a great listener and loyal friend. He left behind so many people who loved him and he will be greatly missed.
Rick is survived by his wife Vicki of Burlington; his mother Betty Koeller of Platteville; his children Reanna (Bob) Parker of Darlington, WI, Sarah (Ed Nolan) Koeller of Jackson, TN, Shannan (Mitch Paulsen) Koeller of Dubuque, IA, Dan (Amy Cary) Koeller of Prairie Du Chein, WI, Josh (Lacy) Cummings of Watertown, WI, his step-daughter Rachel Cassabon of Fort Collins, CO; siblings Russ (Jody) Koeller of Dickeyville, WI, Robert (Dana) Koeller of East Dubuque, IA, Renee (Aaron) Niekula of Yorkville, IL, Ryan (Tricia) Koeller of McGregor, IA; grandchildren Ross Stauffacher, Bobby Jr, Steele & Braxton Parker, Allison and Evan DeBuhr and Peyton Koeller; many nieces and nephews and life long friends Barth and Deb.
He is preceded in death by his mother Penny Koeller, his father Chris Koeller, his sisters Roxanne and Rochelle Koeller, a brother-in-law Pat Moody, and a niece Monica Moody. His maternal grandparents Robert and Maxine Pratt, and his paternal grandparents Frederick and Catherine Koeller.
Per his wishes, cremation was accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Funeral Chapel. Rick was able to help countless families with his gift of organ donation.