Richard G. Niemi, age 67, of Greenwood, passed away at House of the Dove, in Marshfield on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. A memorial service will be held for Richard at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Cuddie Funeral Home, in Greenwood. Visitation will be held at the funeral home, on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Longwood, rural Owen.
Richard Guy Niemi was born on July 28, 1957 in Sandpoint, Idaho and was adopted by Richard and Janet (Needham) Niemi. He was raised on a farm in the Owen-Withee area and graduated from Owen-Withee High School in 1975. After graduating from high school, Richard enlisted into the U.S. Army on April 19, 1977 and served until his honorable discharge on April 15, 1980. He returned to Wisconsin and started driving semi-truck over the road. Richard was united in marriage to Carol Elaine Lightfoot on October 24, 1981. They resided in Stone Mountain, Georgia before eventually moving to Greenwood, WI, where they raised their two sons, Jeremy and Cody. In 1994, Richard began working at Wick Building Systems in Marshfield, until 2010, when he went back to driving semi-truck until retiring in 2023.
He had many interests, but especially loved being with his family, deer hunting, camping, guns, re-loading ammo and riding motorcycles.
Richard was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, the N.R.A. and Ducks Unlimited.
He is survived by his sons: Jeremy of Elk River, MN and Cody of Greenwood, WI; his father and step-mother: Richard (Lois) Niemi of Milan; four sisters: Janet Faye (Larry) Troiber of Owen; Beth (Dave) Brewster of Burnsville, MN, Cindy (Corey) Hanson of Abbotsford, WI, Terri (Dan) Kryzer of Minnetonka, MN; one brother: Nelson Niemi of Owen, WI; two step-brothers: Jay (Jean) Marcott of Owen, Jeff (Kathy) Marcott of Oakdale, MN; two step-sisters: Jody (Mark) Pabich of Menomonie, WI, Melody Marier (Lonnie Erickson) of Abbotsford; one granddaughter: Ashlynn Niemi of Zimmerman, MN; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Niemi; his wife, Carol; and one brother, Brian Lee Niemi.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Richard’s name for a memorial to be established at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.
Cuddie Funeral Home, of Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.
