“The youngest of four, [Dick’s] family farmed and operated a trucking business in Graettinger, IA. In 1954, he graduated from Graettinger High School. After one year at Morningside College, Dick entered the United States Air Force and trained as a jet fighter pilot. Following his service commitment, he returned to Morningside where he earned a B.A. in business in 1961.
Dick married Martha Macfarlane on November 7, 1959 in Sioux City, IA. He began his career at Wilson Trailer Company where he worked for 12 years. During that time the family lived in Sioux City, Hampton, IA and Tucson, AZ. Dick became part owner of Taylor & Martin, Inc. in 1974, bringing the family to Fremont, NE. He became sole proprietor, president and chairman in 1978, a position he held until he sold the company in 1985. Dick helped grow Taylor & Martin, Inc. from a small regional auction company into the nation’s largest transportation equipment auction company.
Dick bought and sold many businesses over the years. He was involved with the Sioux City Musketeers, Nebraska College of Business and Lincoln School of Commerce, Bojens & Wikert John Deere dealership, Liberty Banks of Iowa, American National Bank of Fremont, Uraseal of Dover New Hampshire and farming operations in Brazil, Iowa and Nebraska.
Never one to let grass grow under his feet, Dick enjoyed antique cars, hunting, fishing and flying his plane to adventures all around the country. He valued his many friends in Okoboji, IA, Naples, FL and Dryberry Lake, Canada.” (1)
Source: (1) https://www.duganchapel.com/obituary/richard-wikert
Richard O. “Dick” Wikert, Fighter Pilot, USAF “Headed West” on
Richard “Dick” Wikert, was born in Estherville, Iowa on April 20, 1936 to Clarence O. Wikert and Emma Luhman Wikert. The youngest of four, his family farmed and operated a trucking business in Graettinger, IA. In 1954, he graduated from Graettinger High School. After one year at Morningside College, Dick entered the United States Air Force and trained as a jet fighter pilot. Following his service commitment, he returned to Morningside where he earned a B.A. in business in 1961.
Dick married Martha Macfarlane on November 7, 1959 in Sioux City, IA. He began his career at Wilson Trailer Company where he worked for 12 years. During that time the family lived in Sioux City, Hampton, IA and Tucson, AZ. Dick became part owner of Taylor & Martin, Inc. in 1974, bringing the family to Fremont, NE. He became sole proprietor, president and chairman in 1978, a position he held until he sold the company in 1985. Dick helped grow Taylor & Martin, Inc. from a small regional auction company into the nation’s largest transportation equipment auction company.
Dick bought and sold many businesses over the years. He was involved with the Sioux City Musketeers, Nebraska College of Business and Lincoln School of Commerce, Bojens & Wikert John Deere dealership, Liberty Banks of Iowa, American National Bank of Fremont, Uraseal of Dover New Hampshire and farming operations in Brazil, Iowa and Nebraska.
Never one to let grass grow under his feet, Dick enjoyed antique cars, hunting, fishing and flying his plane to adventures all around the country. He valued his many friends in Okoboji, IA, Naples, FL and Dryberry Lake, Canada.
Dick was heavily involved in the communities where he lived. He served in leadership roles on many boards: Krause Gentle Oil Corporation, Fremont National Bank, Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts, Morningside College, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Midland College, Greater Fremont Development Council, Fremont Area Medical Center Foundation, Love Larsen Opera House, Iowa Lakes Art Center and Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association.
Dick is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marty. Daughter Susan (Michael) McGillick and Allie, Erica, Katie and Molly of Omaha, NE. Australian daughter Mandy (Jay) Deeb, Ellie and Jack of Brisbane, Queensland. Elizabeth “Betsy” Ryan, AJ and Connor. of Littleton, CO. Mary Jane (Brian) Furgason, Jake and Nick of Littleton, CO. His faithful friends Duffer and Chelsea. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and many, many friends.
In Dick’s last two weeks of life, he was diagnosed with a rare, neuro-degenerative disease called Multiple System Atrophy. Memorials may go to the Fremont Area Medical Center Foundation for Hospice and Love Larsen Opera House.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 27, at 11:00 A.M. at the Fremont Presbyterian Church. Rev. Earl Underwood and Rev. Robert Macfarlane officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 26, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Dugan Funeral Chapel with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00. Condolences may be left at www.duganchapel.com.
