Richard Alfred Wellenstein quietly passed away surrounded by family on October 16th, 2025. He was 93 years old.

Richard was born on June 11th, 1932, to Florence and Walter Wellenstein in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He grew up in Lake Church, Wisconsin, but moved to Milwaukee at 16, where he would live the rest of his life. He graduated from Pius High School in 1950 and first began working as a mason before switching to carpentry, working with his brother at Wellenstein and Sons until he was 63. He met his wife, Marina (nee Santoro), in 1960 and they were married the same year. They had a long and happy marriage with four kids, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. “We just got along,” Richard would say about their marriage.

Richard had immense love for his family and was an exemplary husband, father, and grandfather. His love for his wife was great, not hesitating to help care for her as she suffered from dementia in her final years.

Richard enjoyed the simple things in life; playing cards with his family, spending time in northern Wisconsin, and making bacon and eggs for breakfast. He did the crossword everyday, always had a good book, and enjoyed woodworking, making many pieces of furniture for his family, and the St. Sebastian Parish. Richard will be remembered for his kindness, blunt honesty, crooked fingers, and ability to always crack a joke.

Richard is deeply missed by his children: Bob (Betsy), Kurt (Elizabeth), Steve (Julie), and Maria; his grandchildren: Sara (Eric) Hugoson, Lauren (Harrison) Aghjian, Nicole, Kate (Juliana), Jackson, Lukas, Sydney (Erik), Alec, and Britta; his great-grandchildren: Ella and Jordan Hugoson and Quinn Aghijan; alongside his many in-laws, nieces and nephews, and other family.

He is preceded in death by his siblings, Walter (Nina) and Janet (late Sam, late Ed) Maffuid Leavy; his great-granddaughter, Olivia Hugoson; and his wife, Marina, whose hand he can hold again.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Sebastian Parish, 5400 W. Washington Blvd., on November 14th at 10:30am, Visitation from 10:00 to 10:30, followed by a gathering at Leff's Lucky Town after Mass.

To honor Richard's dedication to church, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Sebastian Parish Foundation.

https://www.stsebastian.org/foundation/donate