Richard “Tip” Weis

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 1:53 pm

Richard “Tip” Weis, 78, died Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, 2015, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Visitation began at 10 a.m. Friday, one hour before the service, at the church. Readers were Michael Weis and Allen Weis. Intercessions were by John Weis. Eucharistic ministers were Sister Jeanenne “Tubby” Weis and James Weis. Gift bearers were Emily Weis, Helen Weis, Rachel Weis and Henry Weis. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Hymns were “Be Not Afraid,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Seed, Scattered and Sown,” “The Prayer of St. Francis” with guitar music by Richard Weis. Private family inurnment in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah will be held later.

Richard “Tip” Weis was born in Decorah, the son of Alvin H. and Pauline L. (Koester) Weis. He was baptized at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Tip graduated from St. Benedict School and then Decorah High School with the class of 1956. He was united in marriage with Vernelle M. Carolan May 14, 1960, at St. Agnes Catholic Church at Plymouth Rock, Winneshiek County. This union was blessed with five children: Jane, John, Mike, Al and Robert. Tip started working at Weis Buick as a young boy, helping his father and mother, along with all his brothers. Later he became a partner with Jim, Tom and Joe. He was the parts and service manager and helped people with their vehicles for a lifetime. He was a religious person of strong faith and served St. Benedict Catholic Church as eucharistic minister and volunteered for many activities with the church and school. He was so quick to laughter, joyful in nature and loved to tell a good story. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, bowling and many outdoor activities with family and friends. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Silvercrest Golf and Country Club and the Elks Club.    

Tip is survived by his wife, Vernelle; one daughter, Jane (Derek) Loeb of Bend, Ore.; three sons: John (Beth) Weis of North Liberty, Mike Weis and Al (Anita) Weis of Decorah; seven grandchildren: Benjamin (fiancée Kristin Eckman), Emily, Adam, Richard, Helen, Henry and Rachel; three brothers: Jim (Caroline) Weis, Tom (Lorraine) Weis, and Joe (Pat) Weis, all of Decorah; four sisters:  Shirley “Peach” (Cyril) Murphy of Onalaska, Wis., Sister Jeanenne “Tubby” Weis, SMJM of San Francisco, Calif., Betty “Liz” (Gabe) Alvarado of Penn Valley, Calif. and Jo Ann (Tom) Martindale of Santa Cruz, Calif.; his father-in-law, Sylvester Carolan of Decorah; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert, Aug. 12, 2014; his parents, Alvin, Nov. 29, 1953 and Pauline, Feb. 1, 1995; his sister, Sandra Weis, Feb. 5, 2002; and his brother, David Weis, Dec. 20, 2008.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.