Richard "Dick" Schack

Richard John “Dick” Schack was born in Spaulding Nebraska on February 26, 1923. He was the 3rd of 6 children born to John Ernest and Ora Elsie Sronce Schack.Dick grew up in eastern Nebraska until 1933 when he moved with his family to a small farm outside of Grainton. It was here that he was met the love of his life-Artis Swanson. Dick and Artis were married on June 18, 1944. Four children were born to this union.
Dick and Artis began their life together on a farm near Grainton. A few years later they move to a farm northwest of Madrid where they lived until 1962.Dick was a wheat farmer but he also raised some livestock and they decided to move to a ranch outside of Stratton to work for Artis’ uncle . After a couple of years on the ranch they decided to sell their share of the cattle and move into Stratton. Dick was then employed by Miller Manufacturing.
In 1965 they moved to Arvada Colorado. Dick was briefly employed by Red Owl which was a trucking company. He then worked for the Keebler Cookie Company where he was employed until his retirement in 1989. Dick didn’t quit farming as he still would come down to the Elsie area during the summer months on weekends and vacation time and farmed his mother-in-law, Lizzie Swanson’s ground for 34 years. Dick continued farming well into his 80’s. Artis died in 1999 and Dick continued to maintain his home. He had developed a malignancy and died peacefully at his home, early Monday morning, June 22nd, 2015. He had reached the age of 92.
Dick enjoyed hunting (especially coyotes), dancing, playing pool and cards, and a good baseball game. Dick always loved Nebraska and was a Nebraska Cornhusker football fan. Since moving to Denver , he became an avid fan of the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Broncos. He always liked telling or hearing a good joke. He had a quick wit that always got a laugh. Dick was able to enjoy world travel. He went on safari in Africa, saw the Pyramids of Egypt, traveled from Sicily up to Germany, took Mediterranean and Alaskan cruises, and was able to enjoy an Alaskan hunting trip with his son. Most of all, Dick enjoyed being around his family and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, Dick was preceded in death by his 3 sisters- Lucille, Irene, and Francis; 1 brother- Harry.
He is survived by his 3 daughters- Sharee Paris of Aurora Colo., Judy (Munzil) Marino of Arvada Colo., and Tonya (Dave) Miller of Northglenn Colo.; his son-Dick (Cheryl) Schack of Arvada; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; his brother-Gene (Shirley) of Littleton, other relatives and friends.
Dick loved his family. He was always their biggest fan, no matter what they were doing. He loved Thanksgiving and Christmas at his house where he always cooked the turkey. He liked bragging on how many family members would show up. This last Christmas, he hosted 51 family members and friends. He was a wonderful man- a father figure to many and a cherished friend to all that knew him.

Funeral services were held in Denver on June 25th. Graveside services will be held on June 29th at the Elsie Cemetery with John Long officiating. Condolences may be sent to Richard D. Schack at 6428 Xavier St.-Arvada Colorado 80003.