Richard E. Dehn

Richard Edward Dehn, age 88, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025. He was the eldest of five children, born in 1936 to Edward Henry and Josephine Martha Dehn. 

Richard’s early years were spent in Berlin, Wisconsin, where he attended Berlin Public School through fourth grade, followed by St. John’s Parochial School for grades five through eight. He graduated from Berlin High School in 1954. 

In February 1957, Richard proudly enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and military police training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Upon completing his MP training, he was assigned to a security detail within the Signal Corps. In November 1957, he was transferred to the 529th Military Police Company in Heidelberg, Germany—an honor guard unit serving the commanding general of U.S. Troops in Europe. Richard was honorably discharged from active duty on January 16, 1960. 

In June 1960, Richard was appointed Chief of Police for the city of Omro, Wisconsin, where he served for more than two years. On January 3, 1963, he joined the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff. Over the course of his 29-year career, he served in numerous roles and ultimately retired as Assistant Chief Deputy. Richard took great pride in his work and in serving his community with dedication and honor. 

On August 27, 1976, Richard married the love of his life, Romaine Stieg. Together they built a strong and loving family. He is survived by his four children: Doris Dehn of Oshkosh; Peggy Johnson and her husband Kurt of Oshkosh; Miles Fredrickson and his wife Denise of St. Francis; and Mark Fredrickson and his wife Sonya of Tigerton. 

Richard is also survived by his brother Howard Dehn and his wife Cathy; his sister Darlene Nitz and her husband Daryl of Oregon; and his sister-in-law Sharon Dehn. He leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—all of whom he loved dearly and who admired him as a steady, caring role model. 

Beyond his professional life, Richard was a man of quiet passions. He was an avid outdoorsman who found great joy in hunting whitetail deer, especially during the crisp fall seasons. He also loved golf—both the game itself and the time it gave him with family and friends. Time spent in the woods or on the course brought him peace and happiness, and he made many cherished memories there. 

Richard was a devoted husband, a strong and loyal father, and a man who lived with integrity, humility, and quiet strength. He was especially good to his wife, Romaine, and his love and devotion to her were evident to everyone who knew them. His legacy of service, family, and unwavering commitment will live on in all who were blessed to know him. 

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Josephine and Edward Dehn, a sister Harriet (Lloyd) Fredrick, brother Herbert Dehn.

A funeral service for Richard will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 720 Jackson Ave, Omro, WI 54963 on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 11 am officiated by Rev. Mark Wenzel. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 am until the time of the service. Entombment with Military Honors will take place at Lake View Memorial Park. 

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Omro Care Center for the dedicated and compassionate care they provided to Richard through these difficult final days. 

A special thank you to BJ, whose kindness, attentiveness, and above-and-beyond support meant the world to Richard and his family. He will be missed deeply and remembered with heartfelt love.