Kurt A Richardson
Kurt Alan Richardson, age 70 of Arkansaw, died unexpectedly Monday, December 29, 2025 at home.
Kurt was born August 23, 1955 at the hospital in Plum City. He was the son of Leslie “Joe” and Lois (Martin) Richardson. Kurt grew up in Arkansaw and attended Arkansaw High School. After school, Kurt started working at Schruth’s in Pepin. Kurt married Sue Kern on October 7, 1978 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Eau Galle. In 1983, Kurt began working at Dick’s RV & Sport Shop as an RV technician and remained there for 36 years until his retirement in 2019.
Kurt was a busy body to say the least. A natural tinkerer and a jack of all trades, Kurt was the go-to guy for everything from oil changes to yard game manufacturing. He never hesitated to work on something to help somebody out, make the day more interesting or just come up with “new rules” at a card game. His RV knowledge was second to none and he used that nearly everyday in many ways. He definitely was the go-to guy for repairs and those mystery electrical nuisances. If you needed it fixed and needed it now, he was your guy.
His home shop, which he built with his family was his castle. Whether it was wrenching on one of his cars or hot rod projects, or simply sitting with friends having a Mountain Dew, that was where he was most happy. Once he got a TV in there, his NASCAR addiction was complete. Some would say you could hear him yelling at those Fords from miles away. Hard to explain, just had to live it with him.
Spending time with his family was a huge priority for Kurt as well. Camping trips and his Park Days shin digs were usually monumental, and he never missed a birthday, graduation, celebration, ball game, concert or family gathering. His head jerking truck rides past the gargoyles were always a treat and he never hesitated to get on the floor with his grandkids, acting like one himself, most of the time.
Kurt will always be remembered by both family and friends for his good nature and eagerness to help when needed. His “jump” dancing, knowledge of the community, yard game playing, Mountain Dew can collecting, vehicle wrenching, woodcutting, storytelling, using a car as a footing, switching marriage permission to NASCAR, fishing with grandkids and of course that laugh, will never be forgotten. Rest easy, Kurt.
Kurt is survived by his wife of 47 years; Sue, three daughters; Renee (Richard) Heintz of New Richmond, Kayla (Jason) Paul of Elk Mound, Lynsay (Dustin) Holt of Somerset, five grandchildren; Hannah and Nathan Heintz, Ezra Holt, Gunner and Brantley Paul, siblings Tony, Pete (Becky) and Steph (Paul) Yingst, sisters and brothers in law Mary (John) Gilles, Jill (Tim) Herbst, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his infant daughter Julie; father and mother Leslie “Joe” and Lois; sister Jaci Fritz; three brothers Lonnie, Kevin and Arlyn; father and mother-in-law Howard “Smokey” and Carol Kern.
A Celebration of Life will be 4:00PM – 8:00PM Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Durand Rod & Gun Club.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.