October 8, 1953 - December 31, 2015

 

Richard Maciej
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Richard James Maciej, age 62, of Princeton passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 31, 2015, surrounded by his family following a brave battle with cancer. He was born October 8, 1953 in Little Falls, MN to Daniel and Agnes (Christle) Maciej.

Rich grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1971. Right after high school, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his 7 years of service, Rich was a part of the AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit). He traveled to 37 countries participating on the U.S. shooting team where he competed in multiple competitions as an expert M16 shooter. On May 5, 1979, he married Carol Becker in Elmdale, MN. For a short period of time they lived in Fridley, MN and Blaine, MN, before settling on a hobby farm in Princeton, MN. Rich enjoyed his 160 acre “hobby” farm where he raised beef cattle, pigs, and a variety of crops along with his three children. In 1996, Rich and Carol purchased IPS, an industrial painting and blasting company that now resides in Hugo, MN. Rich was a hard worker that was proud of his business. They painted many well-known projects such as the Olympic Torch in Atlanta of 96’, the Cherry from the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture at the Walker Art Center and even the new Vikings Stadium. He was passionate about hunting: deer, bear, turkey and duck and loved his northern pike fishing. Rich lived life to the fullest, always giving as much as he could whenever he could without looking for anything in return. He was a man with a big heart. Family was an important part of his life and he loved his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his family and the many friends that loved him.

Richard is survived by his wife Carol; children Crystal (Scott) Schmit, April (JB) Stortz and Tony Maciej; Grandchildren, Riley Schmit, Avery Schmit and Frank Stortz; siblings, Adeline (Rodney) Madson and Shirley (Jim) Yourczek; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Agnes Maciej, brother Leonard (Rose) Maciej, and nephew Neil Yourczek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM Friday, January 8, 2016. Visitation will be from 4-8PM on Thursday, January 7, 2016 with prayer service at 5:30PM, and 10-11AM January 8, 2016. All will be at Christ Our Light Catholic Parish, North Campus in Princeton. Per Rich’s wish, casual dress acceptable. Interment will be in Oak Knoll Cemetery with lunch immediately following at the Finish Line Café in Princeton, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Princeton.

 

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