Dick Puffer

Richard Allen "Dick" Puffer, age 85, of Woodbury, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on August 9, 1941, in St. Paul to Alice (Aletta) and Robert Puffer, Dick grew up on the East Side bluffs, where countless hours at Bluff Playground playing baseball helped shape his lifelong love of sports, competition, and friendship. He graduated from Harding High School in 1959.

Dick proudly served his country as a United States Marine during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for valor and heroic leadership. Though he rarely spoke about his accomplishments, the courage and selflessness that earned him that distinction defined the rest of his life-as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man of unwavering faith. He remained active with his fellow Marines throughout his life and was a proud member of the American Legion. After returning home, Dick met the love of his life, Jean, at a party in St. Paul. They married in 1968 and shared more than 40 wonderful years together until Jean's passing in 2009. Together they raised four daughters, and after losing Jean, Dick became the steady rock of the family, offering unconditional love, wisdom, humor, and strength.

Dick enjoyed a long career as a United States Postal Service letter carrier before retiring at age 62. He remained a loyal member of the Postal Workers Union and believed deeply in hard work, service, and doing things the right way.

He embraced life wholeheartedly. Whether bowling, playing baseball and later softball, fishing in Montana with friends and his son-in-law Mike, meeting breakfast buddies, gathering every week for "McCrank Day" card games, working out daily, or taking pride in a perfectly maintained lawn, Dick found joy in the simple moments. Nothing made him happier than sitting in the stands cheering on his grandchildren. He made it to as many of their games as he could, and those memories became some of his greatest treasures.

A devoted Minnesota sports fan, Dick rarely missed cheering for the Twins, Vikings, Wild, and especially the Minnesota Lynx. He was known for his quick wit, unforgettable storytelling, and perfectly timed jokes. He could make anyone laugh and was often the life of the party.

His Lutheran faith guided his life. Dick was a devoted member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church while always holding a special place in his heart for First Lutheran Church on St. Paul's East Side. His faith was reflected not only in worship but in the kindness, humility, and generosity with which he lived every day.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Kelly Hazzard (Steve), Karen Beck (Mike), Kristina Cassidy (Kevin), and Kyleen Donahue (Andy); his cherished grandchildren, Ally, Samantha, Brianna, Sarah, Ella, Finn, McKinzie, Merrick, Elin, and Morgan; his godchildren, Nicole Yurek, Kim Wysocki, Joshua Holm and Gibson Holm; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, fellow Marines, postal coworkers, neighbors, and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean; his parents, Alice (Aletta) and Robert Puffer; his sister, Patricia Yurek; his brother-in-law, Lefty Yurek; and his brothers, Jim and Donny Puffer.

Dick will be remembered for his unwavering faith, extraordinary courage, fierce loyalty, unmatched work ethic, contagious sense of humor, and, above all, the love he gave so freely to his family and friends. His legacy lives on in all who were fortunate enough to know him.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." - Matthew 25:23

A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Friday, August 21, 2026 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN 55115, with visitation beginning an hour prior at 9 AM. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Elmhurst Cemetery.