In Memory of Richard "Dick" Cornelius

Richard Allen “Dick” Cornelius, age 62, of Sac City, Iowa, died suddenly Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
                A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes.  The Reverend John J. McGuirk will officiate, with burial to follow in Cory Grove Cemetery, Sac City.  Visitation with the family present will be held at Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Sac City on Friday from 4-8 p.m., with a Scripture Service at 7 p.m.  
                Born March 16, 1951, in Carroll, Iowa, Richard Allen “Dick” Cornelius was the son of Glen and Teresa (Miller) Cornelius.  On April 24, 1971, he was married to Nancy Gehling in Rosselle, Iowa.  That September, Dick and Nancy made their home in Sac City and were later blessed with three children, Penny, Glen “Sonny”, and Corey. 
                In his lifetime, Dick was employed by Higgins Plumbing and Heating, Noble Manufacturing, Hygrade and IBP in Storm Lake, and most recently at Pella Windows in Carroll.
                Dick enjoyed deer hunting, having horses, racing with his boys, mushroom and asparagus hunting, going to morning coffee, playing quarters with the guys, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  Dick was a member of the Lake Riders Saddle Club, where he was affectionately nicknamed “Papa Dick.”
                Gifted with an innate mechanical ability, Dick always had a project in the works.  He could fix most anything and loved to tinker, work on cars, and do metalwork.
                He is survived by his wife, Nancy; three children, Penny (Brian) Wright of Lake View, Glen “Sonny” Cornelius and special friend Mandy of Sac City, and Corey (Holly) Cornelius of Lake View; five grandchildren, Bailey and Brandy Wright, Sonnie Michelle Cornelius, and Chloe and Raymond Cornelius; his mother, Teresa Cornelius of Carroll; five sisters, Dianna (Dennis) Reetz of Carroll, Joyce (Roger) Behrens of Carroll, Margie (Craig) Cory of Ackley, Annette Douglas of Glidden, and Joan (Floyd) Laxson of Carroll; two brothers, Jim (Pat) Cornelius of Perry, and Russ (Barb) Cornelius of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
                Dick was preceded in death by his father, Glen; a brother, Kenny Cornelius; an infant sister, Gloria; a nephew, Paul Cory; and a brother-in-law, Kent Douglas.