August 13, 1944 – February 22, 2021
Richard passed peacefully with his wife Diana, daughter Wendy and son Richie by his side.
Richard is survived by his wife, Diana; daughter, Wendy (Kevin); son, Richie (Kate); grandchildren; Matthew (Alyssa), Amanda, Sarah, Ike, Glory, Jack and Gina; and two sisters, Helen and Cathy (Tom).
He was predeceased by his parents, Isaac and Katrina and two brothers Ronald and Raymond.
Richard learned the value of hard work growing up on his family farm in southern Manitoba. Their home was filled with love and delicious homemade food. A new chapter of his life began when he met the love of his life, Diana. They married in the summer of 1969 and moved to Winnipeg where they raised Wendy and Richie in their loving Christian home.
Many things brought joy to Richard. In the home he loved cooking and baking – were it making homemade soup, baking cinnamon buns or smoking a 300lb hog. He read the paper every day and turned on the radio every time he entered a room.
Vacations were more than the destination; it was the whole journey. Through the windshield of the van he admired the agriculture and with his eagle eyes spotted ALL wildlife within miles. He made sure to share his knowledge and love of the landscape.
Richard was a huge fan of sports. He had season tickets to the Winnipeg Jets and watched the Blue Bombers, however he especially loved watching his children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, … He took great pride in his family’s accomplishments always supporting and cheering them on. Never give up, be strong, always fight to the finish.
Early retirement allowed Richard to play a very important part in his grandchildren’s lives. He babysat, chauffeured, shared stories and loved them all, giving them lifelong memories.
If you were lucky enough to know Richard you know he cared about everyone he knew, taking time to get to know each person he spoke with. Old friends and new friends alike felt his inquisitive and caring nature.
Richard loved fishing and hunting. His love of hunting led to him to purchase a quarter section of land in 2003. The land was originally bought for deer hunting but soon his passion turned to cutting grass. He wore out two ride-on lawn mower tractors exploring and making trails, pushing the lawn mowers way beyond what they were designed for. He took pride in keeping the land in meticulous shape. The land became a place for family to gather, sharing meals, campfires, long conversations and laughter. Life will be much different without his story telling but we will never forget him.
For the past 16 years the Renal Transplant Clinic was a very important part of our life. Richard was very grateful for the gift of a kidney from his son Richie.
On December 23, 2020 Richard went to the hospital for open heart surgery. The year leading up to this was full of many medical challenges that he quietly endured. Richard’s final days were spent in the hospital. We prayed, reminisced, cried and laughed together. COVID restrictions proved to be more than he could overcome. The last days, he was so tired his only request was, “Please, just let me go home.”
It breaks our hearts to lose you, but you never went alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You are forever in our hearts, someday, we know not when, we will clasp our hands in heaven, never to part again.
A celebration of life with family and friends will be held when we can safely gather to share stories in his honour.
Many thanks to the loving staff at the St. Boniface Cardiac unit.
26 thoughts on “Richard Plett”
I feel fortunate to have met Richard and know the love he shared and gave here will live on forever. God Bless him on his final journey home.
Sending our love to all his family at this very difficult time.
Lorraine Tyson Anthony and Alexa
Thank you so much Lorraine and family.
We very appreciate the love and support.
Our sincere condolences Diana, Wendy, Kevin, Richie, Kate and grandchildren on your loss. Richard always had kind words and pleasant demeanour whenever we had the opportunity to meet. May you all find comfort in memories and strength in each others love throughout this very difficult time. Len, Vicki, Michael and Scott Lazaruk and Shannon, Mark, Kenzie and Cole Plowman.
Thank you for your condolences from the Plett family. Yes, most certainly it is all our many loving memories giving us strength.
Wow, Richard all too soon. Remember fondly our days we spent together doing good things, better things, and other things. I will never forget our friendship and working, playing together. And to Diane, I pray God’s blessings on you, knowing a little of what you are going through because I lost my wife to Heaven’s Open Gates on May 18, 2018.
Thank you for your condolences.
So many good memories we made with so many sports families!
Sincere condolences to Diana and family, also to Cathy & Helen and to Ron”s & Ray’s families. My heart aches for you in your loss and for the circumstances that prevent you from gathering with all your loved ones at this time. May the Lord bring comfort and healing to you all!
Thank you for your condolences to all of the Doell cousins. Your kind words mean so much to our family.
Condolences to Diana & family & to the Plett family. May your memories of Richard be of comfort to you. Praying the Lord will comfort you.
Richard knew how to do things right! He had the best family, mowed his country property with a mighty tractor, threw big country parties and fed everyone with one of his specialties —roasting a whole hog, grew family heirloom hot peppers (wolf peppers) and made his own sauce, called “Wolf Sauce” of course! Yes, Richard enjoyed doing so many things and he did them with zest and put his heart into everything. Richard, you will be missed, but absolutely never will you be forgotten. Thanks for making this world a better place. Thanks for making my world a better place.
Thank you so much Sandra. Your kind word are appreciated and you are so right, although he is gone, he will not be forgotten.
Diane, Wendy, Richie & Families – please accept our condolences, we will forever miss that permanent smile and that boisterous contagious laugh! We had a lot of fun together in our younger days and are grateful that we had the opportunity to reconnect in the last few years.
Take Care,
Marvin & Sara Ginter
Thank you Marvin & Sara
It is so very true how nice it is reconnect our friendship. We both felt very blessed to have such wonderful friends!
Condolences to family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our younger years with Richard bring back fond memories . Don & Liz Kuhl
Hi Diana, Wendy & Richie:
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Richard. Over the years, through hockey, we spent a great deal of time chatting with each other and cheering on our boys. Always enjoyed meeting up with the entire Plett family.
Please know that we are thinking of you and holding you in our daily thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Ken & Faye Mitchell and our entire family
How good it was to watch our sons in hockey. Those years were always special memories and all the life long friends made during that time. Thank you from our family to yours.
Dear Diana, Wendy, Richie and families,
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Richard. Years ago we got to know you both during our son’s hockey but most recently we usually connected through our grandchildren’s activities. We always enjoyed a little chat or even a friendly wave. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bob & Helen Fraser & family
Thank you. What love and pride these treasured memories are. All of these functions meant the world to Richard.
Dear Diana and your family,
We are praying for you. We pray that you will feel God enveloping you with strength to cope during this valley of grief. Big hugs from Darrell, Katrina, Madeline, Hannah and David Wiens
Thank you so much from our family to yours. Richard always talked about someday coming to visit your family farm. He was so happy and proud of this life style choice you made. Many hugs to you as well.
Today is a sad day knowing Richard has passed on. Our girls grew up together playing baseball and ringette. We spent many days together watching and cheering them on. He was the proudest parent in the stands, never missed a game. He will be sadly missed by all but never forgotten. Richard take care for know till we meet again.
Thank you Paul and Joan.
Such wonderful memories bring tears of joy. Yes, till we meet again.
When we look out of our kitchen window , we can see the yard where Richard grew up. It brings back many memories of the years we spent together in elementary school. Our condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Richard kept all his memories of growing up in his community close to his heart. He loved reminiscing and his childhood memories were a source for many an interesting story. Thanks for your condolences.
Dear Diana and family. I’m so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Thank you Sandy. It means so much to hear from you.