Frederick “Rick” Brietzke, 68, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on January 11, 2024 from glioblastoma, with his family at his side. Rick was the beloved son of Albert and Rose Brietzke. He spent most of his childhood in La Crosse, WI. Rick had a lifelong passion for the outdoors which was formed by time spent with his family and friends along the Mississippi and on various lakes & bluffs across Wisconsin.
Rick graduated from La Crosse Central High school and UW-La Crosse, with an undergraduate degree in Education. He began teaching in Sparta, WI and continued his studies, eventually obtaining his master’s and PhD in Educational Administration from UW-Madison. Rick met his future wife Sarah while teaching at the same school in Sparta. They were united in marriage for over 40 years. His career took them across the state to Plymouth, WI where they settled and welcomed their children, Laura and Philip. He was the Elementary School Administrator, overseeing four grade schools in the Plymouth area. In 1988 Rick and his family moved to Fort Atkinson, where he became the principal of Purdy Elementary, a job he loved. He shared his “Purdy Pride” with the school’s staff and thousands of students for 26 years. His loyalty to his school was genuine. During his tenure at Purdy, some of his highlights were the school’s artist-in-residence programs, reading incentive programs, establishment of the Green Team toward schoolwide conservation and the annual Veterans Day programs. After retiring from the school district, he worked part time at UW-Whitewater where he found absolute joy re-entering classrooms as a university supervisor of the next generation of educators.
Rick was a loving husband to Sarah, a devoted father to his children, Laura and Philip, as well as a doting Nunu to his granddaughter, Nina. He was always available to give advice, complete handyman projects, assist with car maintenance, and try his hand at any other miscellaneous tasks. He had a mind full of knowledge that made him an excellent teacher and valued trivia player. Rick enjoyed planning many vacations, evolving from camping as a young family to ringing in 2023 in Hawaii.
Rick lived a full, enthusiastic life. He had many interests and was always making plans for future projects and dreaming about his next adventure. Rick was an outdoorsman to his core and loved hunting, working on his land in Buffalo County, fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking, skiing, snorkeling – frequently followed by a sunset happy hour and star gazing! He was an avid Wisconsin sports fan and enjoyed attending many UW Badger football and Brewers games.
Rick will be deeply missed by his wife, Sarah; children, Laura (Adrian Largaespada) and Philip (Stasia Kruesel); granddaughter, Nina Largaespada; siblings Kate (Michael) Munson, Paul (Jeanne Minnerath), and Barb (Rich) Kruske; in-laws John (Gwen) Strassburger and Mark (Debbie) Strassburger; his loving nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as a great group of high school friends.
A celebration of Rick’s life will be held at First Congregational Church (31 Milwaukee, Ave W, Fort Atkinson, WI) on Saturday, February 17, 2024. A visitation will begin at 9AM with a memorial service to follow at 11AM. Following the service, there will be a light lunch at the church. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Rick Brietzke Memorial Fund at Johnson Bank in Fort Atkinson to be used towards outdoor education enhancements at Purdy Elementary and the Brietzke Educational Wetland, named in Rick’s honor.
We want to thank our family, friends and various professionals who assisted in Rick’s courageous and valiant battle.
Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.
Frederick “Rick” Brietzke
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Mr. Brietzke made a difference in the lives of many Fort Atkinson families. He was a wonderful man who truly loved children and their families and had only their best interests in mind. One of a kind!