Richard “Dick” Sullivan, Sr

LONG PRAIRIE — Richard “Dick” Sullivan, Sr. (a.k.a. “Sully,” “Big Dick”) of Long Prairie passed away on Saturday Sept. 13, at his home on Lake Beauty after a long battle with the squirrels who relentlessly raided his bird feeders. He was surrounded by members of his loving family.

Dick was born on Jan.18, 1944, to William and Regina Sullivan of Marshall. He had five obnoxious siblings, and one nice one – whose identity remains a mystery to this day.

After graduating from Holy Redeemer High School, where he excelled in basketball and giving the nuns grief, he spent a couple of semesters at Mankato State before he was politely asked to leave. Landing on his feet in Minneapolis, he met the talented and much better-looking, Arlene Melrose of Canby. Sharing laugh-filled rides back home the two fell in love. Despite being out of his league, Arlene agreed to marry him. They would not leave each other’s side for the next 58 years.

After their wedding in 1966, they moved to Waseca, where they raised three flawless and exceedingly humble children, Richard Jr. (Dickie/Little Dick), Daniel (Danny Joe/Eagle) and Gina (Pooh).

For more than 20 years Dick worked nights as a “Stripper” at Brown’s – a printing company in Waseca. During the day, he ran a small shop doing custom printing that kept him busy and engaged in the community. Automation led to Dick being downsized, so he and his wife, with bindle sacks over their shoulders, set out for the shores of Lake Beauty – where they realized their dream of owning a lake home.

Dick took a job at Banta Printing in Long Prairie where he discovered the value of belonging to a union – for a time serving as shop steward. When automation forced his retirement from the printing business for good, he spent his remaining working years as a real estate appraiser where he interacted with different people every day.

In retirement Dick and Arlene increased their time spent entertaining, traveling and visiting far-flung friends and family. They traveled the world together, visiting Germany, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, and taking many trips to Ireland. They also traveled “out west” in the U.S. and were especially fond of the winter weather and their many snowbird friends in Chandler, Arizona.

At home, Dick enjoyed tending to his trees, protecting and restoring habitat around the lake, and watching the birds and wildlife (except for the squirrels). He loved spending time with neighbors in their lake-side screen house, soaking up the sun on the golf course or on the water, and planning their next adventure.

Dick was at his best – and his trademark dimples, and sparkling blue eyes shined brightest – when entertaining friends and family, sharing laughs and telling stories (which sometimes were true). Having kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, he was blessed with the gift of gab. And he was well-known for his performances as Groucho Marx and for his annual tongue-in-cheek Christmas cards, featuring scenes like ice fishing from a canoe on a frozen lake or boarding a rusted old plane for a trip to Europe. Dick was a prankster at heart and above all a relentless teaser – if he gave you a hard time, you knew he liked you. Teasing was his love language.

One of the brightest lights in his life was his granddaughter “Belarus.” He was a doting grandpa who was unable to maintain his Midwestern stoicism when he was with her. He visited any chance he got, read her bedtime stories, and gave her rides in her wagon when she was little. As she grew, he taught her how to drive the boat, bait a fishing hook and gave her driving lessons on their secret trips for burgers and cheese curds at the “Twelve-Mile.”

Dick is survived by his children Richard Sullivan Jr., Daniel Sullivan, Gina Sullivan, granddaughter Bella Sullivan, his sisters Colleen, Sharryl (Jim), and Michelle and brother Pat (Mary).

He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, parents William and Regina Sullivan, brother Bill (Sue), sister Jeanille (Gary), and brothers in-law Al Feldhake and Alan Forbes.

He spent the last weeks of his life on home hospice care attended by the wonderful staff of Centra Care Hospice. The family wishes to acknowledge Hannah, Danielle, Kathy, Kim, and Julie for their attentive and expert care of our father and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to send memorials to support the important work of Minnesota Public Radio, an enterprise that Dick, a longtime member, supported.

A Celebration of his life took place on Monday, Septe. 22, 2025, at the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville. Arrangements are with the Iten Funeral Home of Browerville.