Richard Nicholas Stein
June 28, 1926 — October 2, 2015
Richard Nicholas Stein was born on June 28, 1926 to John and Helen (Daeges) Stein in Portsmouth, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through the eighth grade.
He farmed with his parents until October 17, 1945, when he was inducted into the United States Army. He served overseas during World War II, earning his honorable discharge on April 10, 1947. He returned to Portsmouth and drove a truck for Ray Thielen for ten years before moving to Omaha, Nebraska.
He was united in marriage to Leona “Pat” Zangerle on June 21, 1949 at St. Mary’s. After his move to Omaha, he continued driving truck for various companies, including Schaffer Oil, Lyman Richey, Mel Drackulich Trucking, and Flinn Paving. He also worked at the A-1 Discount Center before retiring in 2011.
He enjoyed visiting tractor museums, attending thrashing bees, and attended the Greenridge Steam and Gas Antique Show every year in Irwin, Iowa.
He continued to live in Omaha after his wife’s death and was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Omaha.
Richard died during a stay at the Bickford Senior Living Center in Omaha on Friday, October 2, 2015 at the age of eighty-nine years, three months, and four days. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen; his wife Leona “Pat” Stein; and brother Russel Stein.
He is survived by his sister Cindy and her husband Fred Jones of Omaha, Nebraska; honorary grandchildren: Tony Hynek and his wife Jen, Jennifer Howell, and Morgan Danielsen, all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other family members and friends.
He farmed with his parents until October 17, 1945, when he was inducted into the United States Army. He served overseas during World War II, earning his honorable discharge on April 10, 1947. He returned to Portsmouth and drove a truck for Ray Thielen for ten years before moving to Omaha, Nebraska.
He was united in marriage to Leona “Pat” Zangerle on June 21, 1949 at St. Mary’s. After his move to Omaha, he continued driving truck for various companies, including Schaffer Oil, Lyman Richey, Mel Drackulich Trucking, and Flinn Paving. He also worked at the A-1 Discount Center before retiring in 2011.
He enjoyed visiting tractor museums, attending thrashing bees, and attended the Greenridge Steam and Gas Antique Show every year in Irwin, Iowa.
He continued to live in Omaha after his wife’s death and was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Omaha.
Richard died during a stay at the Bickford Senior Living Center in Omaha on Friday, October 2, 2015 at the age of eighty-nine years, three months, and four days. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen; his wife Leona “Pat” Stein; and brother Russel Stein.
He is survived by his sister Cindy and her husband Fred Jones of Omaha, Nebraska; honorary grandchildren: Tony Hynek and his wife Jen, Jennifer Howell, and Morgan Danielsen, all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other family members and friends.
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