Richard J. Maschka, 85, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at Lakeside Medical Center, Pine City, from complications of Alzheimer&8217;s, flu and deteriorating health.

Richard Joseph Maschka was born March 11, 1922, in Omaha, Neb. He was the adopted son of Frank A. and Helen (Jamrog) Maschka of Ashton, Neb.

He and his wife Patricia were the parents of two daughters, Anne and Lynne. Their marriage ended in 1974.

He married Ruth Ann (Overgaard) Ballandby in 1975 in Albert Lea.

Richard J. (Dick) was a counselor at Albert Lea Senior High at the time of his retirement in 1982. He and his wife, Ruth, then moved to their cottage on the East Snake River in Pine City. He was employed part time as a substitute teacher for Pine City and Rush City high schools. He was also employed at Sandstone Federal Prison through the University of Minnesota-Pine Tech and at Pine Technical College for several years.

Music was a great part of his life as a music instructor at Gothenburg, Neb. and also at several other high schools in Nebraska and Minnesota.

He was an accomplished pianist and saxophone player and singer, with many of his own bands and also with some of the &8220;Big Bands.&8221; He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Special Forces. He was stationed in Hawaii, South Korea and other islands.

He was a well-respected member of his hometown of Ashton, Neb., where many of his relatives still reside; and of each town where he resided. His wit and storytelling will long be remembered. One of his favorite sayings was &8220;Start out easy, and then taper off.&8221;

He was raised in the Catholic faith. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota with an MA plus 30.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Frank A. and Helen Maschka; his wife Ruth&8217;s son and his wife, Randee and Kim Ballandby in 1995 and his father- and mother-in-law, Peter and Alice Overgaard of Albert Lea.

He is survived by his beloved daughters Anne Maschka and her son Ian L. Fulbright of Round Rock, Texas, and Lynn Adele and her husband Tom Maddox of Bastrop, Texas and also by their mother Patricia of Austin, Texas; his wife, Ruth Ann of Pine City and her children: Julie (Dave) Mumaugh and Heidi (Myron) Lewis of Lakewood, Colo., Lisa (Dan) Medd of Albert Lea, Sandra (Tim) Hassing, Owatonna, Sheila (Alan) Helgerson, Albert Lea, Chad (Jodi) Ballandby, Willmar; and Ruth&8217;s many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Paul and Jan Overgaard, Albert Lea and their families and Peter and Marianna Overgaard, Lindstrom and their families.

A celebration of Richard&8217;s life will be celebrated with music and oratory and film in the springtime in Albert Lea. His cremation urn will be placed in a country cemetery nearby. Blessed be his memory. His wish for no formal church service has been honored. His wife&8217;s address is 14374 Birchwood Trail, Pine City, MN 55063.