Dick Zweber

Richard J. “Dick” Zweber, age 85, of New Prague, died while praying a rosary with his daughter at his home on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Dick was born on November 13, 1938, in St. Paul, to Vincent and Helen (McFadden) Zweber. He grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Matthew’s, St. Joseph’s, and Cretin Schools, before moving as a sophomore, graduating from New Prague High School. It was there that he met Mary Ruth Cervenka. the woman who would become his bride, on December 31, 1958, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Following high school and one year of college, Dick served in the US Marine Corps for four years and then completed his Pharmaceutical Degree at the University of Minnesota. He started out his career at Golden Hill Drug in Golden Valley. At the time Tom Topka was building Mala Strana Nursing Home, he approached Dick to see if he would serve as the pharmacy consultant. That brought Dick back to New Prague and he joined Harold Mc Mahon forming a partnership, which became McMahon Snyder Drug. Dick and Mac were visionary businessmen expanding the gift shop and purchasing the building across the parking lot to house Ted’s Liquors. After the business sold, Dick continued to work part-time, fully retiring at age 72.

Dick was a natural athlete, playing in two state basketball tournaments in high school, quarterback on the football team, and receiving the honor of All-Conference both junior and senior years. He coached Little League for his children in their formative years, played on several town softball teams himself well into his mid-forties, and then attended all his children and grandchildren’s games! His non-competitive nature came out in all of these endeavors, always playing the game with skill and competence but remaining forever the peacemaker when disputes arose. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors. In any spare time after such endeavors, Dick was an enthusiastic card player, especially Euchre! He won many division championships while playing in Norm Sladek’s Annual World Bohemian Euchre Tournaments.

Dick was always humble and the epitome of kindness. He had a million-dollar smile and when engaged in a personal conversation, made one feel like you were the only person in the room! He was a consummate gentleman and the face of warmth and engagement. Dick was always positive, never complained, and always had a kind word to leave with. His was a legacy that left a void with his passing.

Dick is survived by his wife, Mary Zweber of New Prague; children, Doug Zweber of New Prague, David (Ming) Zweber of Edina, Suzanne (Chuck) Woo of San Diego, Michael “Mike” Zweber of Burnsville, Mary Kristin (Marv) Peters of New Prague, John Wayne Zweber of St. Patrick; 15 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Sharon) Zweber of Newport Beach, CA, Wayne (Terry) Zweber of Crestview, FL, Tom (Kathy) Zweber of White Bear Lake, Greg (Sue) Zweber of Sturgeon Lake, Connie Knowles of South St. Paul, Kevin (Kim) Zweber of Farmington; sister-in-law, Edrie Zweber of West St. Paul. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Patrick and Paul “Vince”; sister, Mary Ellen Lemieux.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Kevin Clinton officiating. Mass will be live-streamed on npcatholic.org Visitation will take place Sunday from 4-7 PM and Monday morning from 7:30-9:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home. Lunch will follow Mass at the KC Hall. Burial will occur Monday afternoon at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Spring Lake Township, where military honors will be provided by the New Prague Area Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorials preferred to St. Wenceslaus School.