Richard "Dick" Eino Kuula

Richard 'Dick' Eino Kuula

MIKANA, Wis. - Richard "Dick" Eino Kuula, 79, of Mikana and Henderson, Nev., died after a long battle with cancer on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on May 10, 1938, in Ironwood, Mich., to Eino and Rauha (Salli) Kuula. Richard graduated from Hurley High School in 1957. He worked for B&O Railroad in Chicago for 10 years. He made a career change into real estate and managed land developments in multiple locations, including Chicago, Milwaukee and ultimately Loch Lomond in Birchwood, Wis., in the late '60s.

He started his own real estate business in Rice Lake in 1973 and was instrumental in starting the local MLS. He was past president of the Realtors Association and was selected Realtor of the Year. He was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood and served as a past president.

Richard's focus is life was his family and he enjoyed organizing many family gatherings. He loved reading and adding to his extensive book collection, was an outstanding photographer and enjoyed staying current on technology. His devotion to his extended family included exploring and learning about genealogy and his Finnish heritage, including trips to visit family in Finland. Richard's friends appreciated his boundless optimism, and his uncanny ability to find others who enjoyed conversation everywhere he went.

Richard Kuula is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Eleanor "Ele," and children, Rick (Karen) Kuula, of Stillwater, Minn., Janet (Michael) Bittner, of Cape Coral, Fla., Mark (Kristina) Kuula, of Fall Creek, and Neil Kuula, of Roseville, Minn. Richard was cherished and loved by his five grandchildren, Ryan, Sarah, Bryan, Jessica and Bryce. He is also survived by his brother, Roy (Joan) Kuula, of Birchwood; and sister, Susan Ylitalo, of Whiting, Ind., as well as his many loving nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rauha (Kuula) Ylitalo, and father, Eino Kuula; infant son, Kevin; sister, Pat (Val) Pesavento, and brother, Roger Kuula.

Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Mayo Hospitals in Eau Claire and Rochester and Lakeview Medical Hospice for their home care.

Memorial Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, with a luncheon to follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood of condolences to Ele Kuula, P.O. Box 2100, Mikana, WI 54857. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Appleyard's Home for Funerals, 19 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, WI.

A Celebration of Life and the burial will be planned for May in Hurley.