Richard “Dick” Lyle Kendle
December 19, 1936 – May 26, 2020
Richard ‘Dick’ Lyle Kendle, born 12/19/1936, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2020. Survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen Kendle of 60 years, sons and daughters Mark (Dennis) Kendle, Mike (Kelly) Kendle, Pat (Kelly) Kendle, Paul (Kelly) Kendle, Melissa (Erick) Norman, and Mary (Tom) Sarri and brothers Don Kendle, Billy (Arlys) Kendle and sister Jan Kassube, along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Annette Kendle and brother Ken Kendle and sisters Dorothy Johnson and Margie Schultz.
Dick was born and raised in St. Paul, MN, graduated from Mechanic Arts High School and joined the United States Army in 1955. After serving 4 years, he was excited to ask the love of his life, Mary Ellen, for her hand in marriage. Dick went to Dunwoody Trade School to complete the 4-year Pipefitter degree and then proudly joined Minneapolis Local Union 539. Together they raised six children and there are so many family treasures to share. In his free time, and who would have this with six children… Dick had a passion and mastered frosted glass artwork and gardening. Many of us have his works of art in our homes and we all try hard to come close to copying his gardening expertise.
Some fun memories for us include: ‘Dad, the ice cream man is coming’, and Dick’s reply ‘If he’s playing music it means he sold out of ice cream’. Taking trips with the boys smelt fishing was an annual tradition and much fun was had during these trips, The famous daily notes he would leave for the kids, “hey kids, could you find it in your heart today to help your mother and mow the grass”. While we all hated waking up to these notes back then, it is amazing how treasured they are today. Many saved over the years knowing we would appreciate the message and would use them someday with our own children.
With six children you can imagine what an adventure it was for us to travel to Fargo to visit relatives or go on a camping trip. The summer of 1973 was an award winner. We spent our summer in Hawaii while dad was working on a power plant. It was big during this time to do videos. Not on an iPhone of course, but the old, silent movie camera with film. To this day, it is a lot of fun to play the film reels on the old projector when we get together for various celebrations. Our dad was a positive role model, he spent the last 10 years of his working career, working 7 days a week. If a friend needed a helping hand, dad put his stuff to the side and helped others, no questions asked. Dad always taught us to persevere and this goes beyond us children as he did this when others needed guidance and inspiration. Mom and dad loved trying new restaurants and often resorted back to their old stomping grounds, St. Paul. The best thing mom and dad loved, was the pop in visits from the grandkids.
How do we share all the remarkable things our father did for us! He loved trap shooting, gardening, fishing, camping, time with friends and family and liked playing the guitar but never mastered it like he did with everything else he set out to do. We are in deep mourning losing a man, our father, that truly loved us and was there for anything we ever needed. Most knew him to be the tough go getter, as we did too, but when we were hurting or just needing that shoulder to lay on, that was our dad. We miss him greatly! A beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. A private service to be held at a later date due to Covid.