Richard J. Breuning

Richard J. Breuning, of Mt. Carroll, IL, passed away Friday, February 9, at his home in Mt. Carroll. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 15, at Manny’s Pizza in Savanna, IL. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

Richard was born December 7, 1955, son of John and Lorrene (Johns) Breuning. He attended Savanna Schools and graduated from Savanna High School with the class of 1974. Richard met the love of his life, Dorcas Milder, at Handles Steakhouse located on Scenic Ridge Rd in Savanna and the couple hit it off right away. Richard and Dorcas (Dee) eloped with their special friends, Dave Komiskey and Marj Jackson, as their witnesses on December 20, 1981, in Reno, Nevada. Together Richard and Dee celebrated 42 years of marriage and raised four children.

They rented their first home together from Richard’s father, John Breuning, known as the Roberts Farm. In 1982, Richard moved the family to Glengarry Farm Stables outside of Mt. Carroll, where they would permanently call home. Richard was a lifelong farmer and absolutely loved his work. Even if he had a 14-hour day of sorting cattle or bailing hay, he was always excited to start working. Richard had a “no problem too big I can’t fix” attitude, and brought to life many tractors and machines thought to be beyond repair. Since he was young, Richard liked to take things apart to see how they worked and put them back together. This culminated in the time he took two totaled tractors and combined the good parts to make one fully functioning machine. Richard thought, “someone put this thing together and if they can do it, I can do it, and maybe just a little better.” He taught his kids how to problem solve the way he always did; and to adapt, overcome, and conquer each day.

When he wasn’t working Richard enjoyed skiing, muscle cars, attending National Truck and Tractor Pulls, fishing for Blue Marlin with Donny and Patsy, a little casino time, sharing some of his timber land for hunting sports with our nephew Anthoney L., Richards long life buddy Alfred H., and Sipes, and spending time with friends, Chucky B., Denny N., Larry W., John N. and his hired hands Dusty and Roy and farming business buds and many friends from our country side we haven't mentioned sip-ping on their favorite beer. He could spend hours in his shop chatting the day away with these long-life close buddies and his dog to pamper. Richard enjoyed our family reunion picnics at Eagle Point Park and Old Mill Park. We must mention how much he loved his after-meal naps. He had a dry sense of humor and was known to tell some pretty good jokes. He was thankful to have such good neighbors surrounding his family across our countryside. Richard had a passion for the United States Military and Wounded Veterans. He loved history and to stay up on the latest current events. Richard passed down his passions and interests to his kids.

The true heart of Richard’s life was his family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. There was nothing in this world that made him prouder than his grandchildren. He was happiest when he was with his loved ones; baking cookies, making breakfast, watching their sports games, dance recitals or going out to eat. Richard stayed involved in his children’s lives, volunteering his time and resources, providing them with everything he could. He might not have shown it on the outside, but on the inside Richard was a sentimentalist. His deep love for his family lives on in their hearts.

He was very much a godly person with prayer in every step of his daily life. He enjoyed going to the Lutheran church as a child, and the Presbyterian church, along with the Church of God with his family and grandchildren.

Richard will be dearly missed by his wife, Dee Breuning of Mt. Carroll; four children, Raechle Breuning (David Bjerkelund) of Big Lake, MN, Curtis Breuning of Savanna, Adam Breuning of Mt. Carroll, and Elizabeth (Eric) Smith of Fryeburg, ME;
seven grandchildren, Ramsi O, Grace, Maxwell, Louisa, Cayson, Ryder, and John, plus ones gained through blended families; and four sisters, Gloria Scott of Lander, WY, Jeannette Sturtevant of Savanna, IL, Peggy Cini of Starkville, MS, and Lisa (Rick) Chobar of Aurora, IL. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, John Breuning and Lorrene (Maxwell) West.