Dick was born January 7, 1941 on the Menominee Reservation, a son of the late Aloysious M. and Delores “Babe” (Pleshek) Frechette. He grew up in Neopit and attended St. Anthony’s School and Shawano High School, graduating in 1959. While in high school he excelled in baseball and basketball. Following high school, Dick entered the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1961 until he was honorably discharged in 1965. Upon returning from service, he was employed in Milwaukee for several years. On November 25, 1967, Dick was united in marriage to the Martina Wilber at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. The couple lived in Combined Locks where they raised their family. Dick was employed at Appleton Papers for over 40 years. Following his retirement, they returned to Keshena.
Dick was a loving husband and father who enjoyed his family time. He was unselfish, kind hearted, and willing to help out loved ones. Dick was always staying active. His hobbies included baseball, golfing, basketball, running, working out, and anything with sports. He is a member of the Menominee Nation Athletic Hall of Fame. Dick was very proud of the fact that he was a member of the 1966 Menominee Baseball BABA Grand Championship Team. Dick is a member of St. Anthony’ Catholic Church in Neopit. He is also a member of the Veterans of the Menominee Nation. Dick was a good storyteller with a great sense of humor, always making people laugh.
Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Martina, of Keshena; his children, Roger Frechette of Keshena, David Frechette of Shawano, Jeffrey Frechette of Keshena, Gary (Michelle) Frechette of Shawano, and Richard (Juanita) Wilber of Keshena; his grandchildren, Marina, Nathan, Tye, Garrison, Mason, Bode, Dominic, Aloysius, Logan, Richard Wilber, Jr., Tamara Nunway, Taylor Wilber, and Joseph Fritsch; his sisters, MaryLynn (Gordy) Kuemmel of Green Bay, Donna (James) Stevens and Kathy Bourin both of St. Paul, MN; his in-laws, Percy Lawrence, Joylen Whitney, Allen (Pam) Wilber, Warren Wilber, Elmer (Dawn) Wilber, Ann Wilber, Renita (Roger) Corn, Daryl (Marcine) Wilber, and Lynette Wychesit; his special friends, Lenoard and Janice Latender, Al and Jean Boyd, and Irene Dickenson; and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Pershing and Dorothy Frechette; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Martin and Marie Wilber; sisters-in-law, Loretta Lawrence and Lois Wilber; his brother-in-law, Martin Wilber, Jr.; and his sister-in-law, Antoinette “Tudy” Wilber.
A Funeral Mass for Richard K. Frechette will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Neopit. Fr. Joel Jores will be the Celebrant. Visitation will begin at the Frechette Residence, N342 Highway 47/55 in Keshena after 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 4, 2018, and will continue until the precession leaves for church on Tuesday morning at 10:30 AM. The Veterans of the Menominee Nation will accord Full Military Honors at the church. A Parish Wake Service will be conducted on Monday evening at 7:00 PM at the Frechette Residence.