Richard Michael Lanctoe

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Richard Michael Lanctoe, 73, of Ironwood, died peacefully at his home, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born on March 9, 1951, to Fritz and Kay (Johnson) Lanctoe in Ironwood.

In elementary years, he attended the Central School, followed by the Ironwood Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1969. He was united in marriage to Lori Ann McDonald on March 31, 1997, in Las Vegas.

From an early age, Rick was interested in business adventures. He began his first business experience working with his father at the family gas station, Fritz Standard, in Ironwood. After graduation, he opened his own gas station, which he ran for several years.

In his mid-20s, Rick began working for Interstate Piping, traveling throughout the Midwest building Motel 6's. His work led him to Dexter, Missouri, where he continued to improve his construction skills.

Tired of being far from home and family, he returned to Ironwood and opened his first tavern called the Dry Haus. During his lifetime, he would own three taverns, but the original Beer Barrel always held a special place in his heart. The friendships that he made there would last a lifetime.

Rick eventually sold the original Beer Barrel and used the capital to purchase the old Angelo's pizza building. He renovated that building into a salon for his wife, Lori. Just seven short years later, Rick would put his extended carpentry skills to use again and build The Last Tangle plaza, which has been host to several prominent community businesses for 22 years.

In 2014, after selling Beer Barrel (2) to his daughter, Carly, Rick dedicated most of his time to his construction company. In the summer, he could always be found on a ladder hanging siding or putting a roof on somewhere. If you couldn't find him on a job site, he was sure to be found enjoying a cold pop at Nora's Lounge.

Rick's loves were taking trips with his wife, Lori, and playing cards. During their marriage, they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. His fondest memory was the trip they took to Hawaii, where they renewed their wedding vows in a stunning beach ceremony.

Rick was such an accomplished cribbage player that he placed 14th in the U.S. at a national competition. Even later in life, he still enjoyed a good game of cribbage with his good friend, Bill Knaack.

Rick is survived by his wife, Lori; his daughters, Angelia (Casey) Clegg, of Ohio, Danita (Scott) Bucy, of Oregon, and Carly and Nina Lanctoe, of Hurley, Wisconsin; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Grace McDonald, of Bessemer; his stepdaughters, Tara (Shawn) Leuzzo, of Minnesota, and Tamara (Andrew) Knaack, of Ramsay; two sisters, Diane Hill, of Helena, Montana, and Debra Keski, of Ironwood; a brother, Robert (Mary) Lanctoe, of Hurley; 10 grandchildren, Nathan, Elianna, Abigail, Jocelyn, Landon, Tanner, Ella, Aubrey, Evan and Jade; his sisters-in-law, Lisa (Pete) Anderson, of Hurley, Janet Reyes, Lorain, Ohio, Nancy Lanctoe, of Hurley, Billie (Michael) Manicki, of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bobby (Ed) Fergurson, of Bergland, and Peggy Charles, of Marenisco; his brothers-in-law, James (Nancy) McDonald, of Ironwood, David and Dennis McDonald, of Bessemer; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dear, lifelong friends, Michael Abraham and John Grotberg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John Lanctoe; and his brother-in-law, Ron Hill.

Rick was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was a dedicated servant of the Lord.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, Jan. 17, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette St., in Ironwood.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Brian Gerber, celebrant.

A luncheon will follow at the church parish hall.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place in the spring at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.