Richard "Dick" L. Smolnik

Richard Dick Smolnik, age 76, of Royalton, MN, formerly of Sauk Rapids, MN, passed away Monday, February 15, 2016, at his home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Richard Lee Smolnik was born on August 17, 1939, in Sauk Rapids, MN, the son of Selda and George Maiers. He graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1957. He then attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis earning his electrical license. Richard was co-owner and master electrician of Smolnik Electric, Inc. of Sauk Rapids. He was united in marriage to Shirley Cookie Warrick on May 3, 1969. They lived in Sauk Rapids before moving their family to a hobby farm near Royalton in 1979. Richard retired in 2001. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling to Alaska, watching football, and was a history buff. He especially loved gardening, each summer planting a garden big enough to feed Camp Ripley.

Richard is survived by his children, Todd (Kathy) Smolnik of Fairbanks, AK, Tami Hobson of Wasilla, AK, Brenda (Loren) Holthaus of Clear Lake and Carrie (Jose) Betancourt of Royalton; siblings, Elaine (Joe) Poepping of Sauk Rapids and Wayne (Marge) Smolnik of Sauk Rapids; grandchildren, Amber, Tyler and Brett Smolnik, Kelsey and Brandon Holthaus, Jaden and Colton Betancourt and his faithful black lab, Maggie.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cookie, in 1998; parents; and a brother Jim Smolnik.