Richard “Dick” Prestemon

Richard “Dick” Gordon Prestemon, 86, of Waukon died Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Keystone Care Center in Keystone. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 9 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Shari Prestemon officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, December 8 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Richard “Dick” Gordon Prestemon was born July 13, 1933 in Waukon, the son of Arthur and Grace (Sherman) Prestemon. In 1950, Dick graduated from Waukon High School and later went on to receive degrees from Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin.

December 20, 1953, he married Diane Benedict at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. In 1954, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged in 1956, Dick and Diane lived in Ames, Des Moines and Dallas Center for a few years before returning to Waukon in 1966. Dick was a banker at Waukon State Bank and then went to McGregor State Bank in McGregor.

Beginning in 1990, he and Diane owned and operated The Landmark Supper Club, between Waukon and Lansing, for 10 years; Dick remodeled a lot of it and tended bar most of the time. They also collected antiques and he helped Diane with her antique business, The Cellar, by moving, displaying and refinishing the furniture items they sold. After closing The Landmark, he and Diane bought a home in Florida and spent many winters there.

Not one to rest, Dick also owned multiple rental properties and did a lot of flipping and remodeling. He bought land on the south side of Waukon and developed it into the Countryside Estates. He did a lot of volunteering throughout the community as well.

Dick was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and was a former council member and also belonged to the American Legion, where he helped on the funeral detail at cemeteries. He was a member at the Waukon Golf and Country Club and served as a past president. Dick loved golfing and played in numerous tournaments and leagues; he took several golf trips with friends, including an almost yearly trip to San Antonio.

When not golfing at the country club, Dick could often been seen there playing euchre with the “Sewing Club”. He played in bowling leagues, loved watching all sports on TV, and was a loyal Iowa State Cyclones fan; when his kids were in school, Dick closely followed their activities as well. He also enjoyed gardening and growing plants and flowers.

With his dog, Gilbert, he took daily walks around town and after Diane died, Gilbert became an even more beloved companion. Dick was a larger than life person who accomplished quite a bit as there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do with his creativity, wit and ingenuity.

Survivors include his two children: Kristin (Michael) Baxter of Colorado Springs, CO and Eric (Jodi) Prestemon of Dysart; six grandchildren: Justus and Preston (Andrea) Baxter, Chelsie (Darin) Schmidt, and Matthew, Garrett and Conner Prestemon; six great-grandchildren: Aedric, Gryffin, Brixon, Bauer, Liberty and Lyanna; and two brothers: John (Sheryl) Prestemon of Waukon and Dean (Jean) Prestemon of Ames. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Diane, in 2012; and a brother, James (Alta) Prestemon.

Honorary casketbearers are all members of the “Sewing Club” and Dick’s golf buddies. Casketbearers are Matt, Garrett and Conner Prestemon, Chelsie and Darin Schmidt, and Justus and Preston Baxter.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.