Richard R. Bieniek

Richard R. Bieniek, 77 year old resident of Flensburg, MN died Monday, April 28 at the St. Cloud Hospital after a courageous battle with pulmonary hypertension. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 1 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN with Father Leo Moenkedick. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. Friends may call from 4-8 PM on Wednesday at the church and from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the church on Thursday. Richard Roman Bieniek was born February 24, 1931 in Swanville, MN to the late Ignatius and Rose (Stegura) Bieniek. Richard attended District #52 grade school. He graduated from Swanville High School in 1949. He entered the United States Army on November 11, 1953 and was honorably discharged in November of 1955. After being discharged from the Army. he farmed until 1972. Richard was then involved in construction until his retirement in 1989. He was united in marriage to Cleo (Kollodge) Welinski on September 23, 1978 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Elmdale, MN. Richard enjoyed woodworking, fishing, deer hunting with his boys, playing the concertina and working in his shop. Richard's greatest enjoyment were his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN, where he served as Trustee. Richard was also a Past-Commander of the American Legion Post #136 and member of the Little Falls DAV. He is survived by his wife Cleo of Flensburg, MN; step-sons, John Welinski and wife, Donna, of Holdingford, MN and Daryll Welinski of Little Falls, MN; brother, Edward Bieniek and wife, Berne, of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Steven Welinski, Patty Welinski, Andy Welinski and wife, Bonita, Mathew Welinski, Michael Welinski, Derek Welinski, Candace Welinski and great-granddaughter Shailyn. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ignatius and Rose Bieniek; brothers, Andy Symanietz, John Symanietz, Damus Bieniek, Tony Bieniek, Eugene Bieniek and Harry Bieniek; sisters, Monica Hennek, Veronica Campagna, Mary Beardsley and Florence Sobiech. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Steven Welinski, Patty Welinski, Andy Welinski, Mathew Welinski, Michael Welinski, Derek Welinski, Candace Welinski.