Richard Prizler, 1945-2015

Published 9:41 am Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Richard Dean Prizler, 69, of Austin died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Rich was born Oct. 15, 1945, in Austin to Elmer and Evelyn Prizler. He grew up on a farm near Myrtle with his siblings David and Gayle, where they rode a horse and buggy to school. Rich later attended Glenville High School.

Richard Prizler

Rich joined the United States Army and was a heavy equipment operator with 554 U.S. Army engineers. Specialist Prizler fought in the Vietnam War where he received the Purple Heart medal for injuries during wartime.

Rich married Nancy True on May 12, 1973. The couple lived in Austin and had two sons, Lonnie and Joseph. He was a truck driver for many years and was often called upon by friends and family to be the technology expert and personal IT department.

Rich was active in the Disabled American Veterans, Amateur Radio Club and the color guard. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was instrumental in the construction of the Austin Veterans Memorial in downtown Austin.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of Austin; sons Lon (Rachel) Prizler of Rochester and Joe (Sheena) Prizler of Eagle Bend; four grandchildren, Anthony “A.J.” Prizler, Abi Prizler, Morgan Madura and Harper Prizler; one great-grandchild, Oakley Prizler; sister, Gayle (Bill) Perkins, of Austin; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Dorothy Prizler of Northwood, Grace (Jack) Piper of Mason City, Iowa, Tom (Helen) True of Forest City, Kevin (Dianne) True of Hutchinson and Kurtis True of Spring Lake Park; and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Richard will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mayer Funeral Home. The Rev. Elizabeth Endicott will officiate. Friends may call one hour before the celebration at Mayer Funeral Home on Saturday. Interment will be in Bohemian National Cemetery in Myrtle with military rites by V.F.W. Post  No. 1216 and D.A.V. Chapter 27. The celebration will continue at Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park following the interment.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.