Richard "Dick" Marlyn Jepsen

Richard "Dick" Marlyn Jepsen, 74, of Washington Island, passed away at home on July 13, 2024.

He was born November 7, 1949 on Washington Island, the son of Marlyn "Mickey" Maurice Jepsen and Violet Mae (Wylie) Jepsen. Dick and his parents lived in Sturgeon Bay for a few years and eventually moved to Sheboygan. He went on to attend and graduate from Sheboygan North High School.

Dick served his country with the United States Coast Guard, entering into active service on October 28, 1968. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard on July 11, 1969 and was awarded the National Service Defense Medal.

Dick initially worked part-time for the Sheboygan Post Office before becoming part of the full-time staff. He eventually enrolled in the Supervisory Program and after additional training became a Supervisor, overseeing 70 mail carriers.

On February 25, 1978, Dick married Patricia Mary Jarr in Sheboygan. They lived in Sheboygan for 15 years, raising their two daughters, Kelly and Shannon.

He returned home to Washington Island in 1993 to become the Postmaster at the Post Office there on October 16 and served the community for 21 years. Dick retired on September 30, 2014.

He was a loving husband, father (the best ever), and PaPa. Dick loved everything BBQ and loved to travel! Growing up, every summer he would take his family on a road trip. They saw so many beautiful, amazing places - almost every National Park. Among Dick's greatest joys were his two grandsons, Ethan and Landen. They were eventually able to go on the road trips and make their own special and funny memories. "Papa" loved going to watch the boys play basketball and remained an active part of their lives.

5:00 p.m. was usually cocktail time with snacks and cribbage, of course! Dick almost always won at cribbage, and if he ever did get beat, he'd join in celebration (of your "accomplishment") and encourage you to "mark that on the calendar!" He loved to grill and smoke BBQ for his family, always trying out new recipes. Dick was a BBQ master!

He participated in BBQ competitions on and off the Island and would usually meet up with his daughters when traveling to or from competitions off the Island. For years, Dick helped coordinate the annual Death's Door BBQ on the Island, a Kansas City Barbeque Society-certified competition that brought in "grillmasters" from all over. Those who knew Dick, knew what a people person he was. He could start up a conversation with anyone!

Dick also loved his dogs, Chatham, Casey, Cody and Bella.

He will be sorely missed by his family who loved him so much: his wife, Pat, with whom he shared over 46 years of marriage; two daughters, Kelly Weigand of Green Bay and Shannon (Jason) Sperber of Algoma; dog, Bella; two grandsons, Ethan and Landen Eggert; siblings-in-law, Ronald (Mary) Jarr of Grafton, Robert (Kay) Jarr of Crystal Lake, William (Sheila) Jarr of Georgia, Linda Jarr of Arizona; and other relatives.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Delores Jepsen; brother, Orville Jepsen; brother-in-law, James Jarr; and other relatives.

His life will be honored privately by family.

If friends or family would like to send cards/condolences, please send them to: Pat Jepsen, 585 Michigan Road, Washington Island, WI 54246.

The Jepsen Family would like to send their heartfelt gratitude to Erik Huehns and Casperson Funeral Home for all their love, help, and support during this difficult time. They greatly appreciate everything you did for them.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Jepsen family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Richard may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Dick" Marlyn Jepsen, please visit our floral store.