Richard Lee Doede, age 89, went to his eternal home with the Lord on June 1, 2026. He was born on July 17, 1936, in Wausau, Wisconsin to the late Arnold and Dorothy (Schmidt) Doede. Richard graduated from Wausau High School in 1955. His life was centered around Jesus Christ, the church and his family.
On October 20, 1956, Richard married Janice Marie McCullough in Wausau. They owned and operated the Doede Dairy Queen in Wausau before moving to various places around Wisconsin. Richard had a long and successful career with SC Johnson first as a salesman and working his way up to a National Sales Manager. He took early retirement from SC Johnson’s in 1987 to sell Real Estate, something he always wanted to try. Shortly thereafter a dream opportunity presented itself and he became the National Sales Manager for Moody Press in Chicago, Illinois. He always wanted to combine his sales and people skills with a meaningful job that helped advance the Word of God and the message of salvation.
While living in Madison, Wisconsin for over 20 years a neighbor led both Janice and Richard to the Lord, and he later became a deacon at Middleton Baptist Church where they developed many friendships and community.
Richard enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, ice cream, and spending time with family and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife Janice of almost 65 years before her passing in 2021. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Julie (David) Ellis of New Berlin, WI, Laurie (Tom) Walters of Denham Springs, LA, John (Mary) Doede of Hoffman Estates, IL and Lisa (Steve) Mellone of Summit, WI. He is further survived by seven grandchildren, Josh (Kim) Walters, Sarah Walters, Beth (Ben) Rodriguez, Mary (Jobe) Youssi, Mitchell (Kel) Mellone, Trevor (Amanda) Mellone, and Matthew (Tori) Doede; and fourteen great grandchildren, Nathan and Landon Woodruff, Preston and Christian Walters, Lincoln, Owen, Walden and Agustin Rodriguez, Conor, Nina and Bridget Youssi, Miles and Everett Mellone and Valor Doede.
He is also survived by his siblings, Marcia Kampf of Birchwood, WI, and Dianne (Ed) Mallison of Wayzata, MN, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will commemorate Richard’s life in a private gathering before he is to be buried at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery in Wausau, Wisconsin next to his beloved wife Janice.
