Richard “Checkers” Ebnet

Richard V. “Checkers” Ebnet, age 76, of Sandstone, died peacefully with his loving family at his side on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, after a short time in hospice at his sister- and brother-in-law’s home in New Prague.

Richard was born on January 30, 1947, in Albany, MN, to Vernon S. and Phyllis (Stevens) Ebnet. His family moved to New Prague when he was a child, and he attended St. Wenceslaus School. He graduated from New Prague High School, attended St. John’s University in Collegeville for a year, and went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Mankato State College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972, stationed at S.H.A.P.E. (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, the communication base for NATO) in Belgium. It was there and during that time that he married his high school sweetheart Kathleen M. Pomije on June 19, 1971. They resided in Belgium for the following year. After service the couple first lived in Pine City and then made their home in Sandstone, where Richard worked as a social worker and then as the supervisor of Human Services for Pine County.

The couple ecstatically welcomed their son Michael into the world in 1978. Not wanting their son to be an only child, they were excited to host five exchange students over the years—Ana (Honduras), Yuji (Japan), Morten (Greenland), Michi (Ecuador), and Alex (Ecuador).

Besides being a loving host father for the A.F.S. organization, Richard was a proud fireman of the Sandstone Fire Department from 1977-2007. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited for many years contributing beautifully hand-carved duck decoys to be auctioned at fundraising banquets. He was a contributor to Dollars for Scholars and served as their “master griller” for many years at fundraising events. Richard whole-heartedly supported East Central Schools’ theater department, creating and building spectacular scenery for nearly 170 theatrical productions. In 2017 he and his wife were honored by the Minnesota Educational Theater Association as recipients of the Dedicated Lifetime Award.

During his life Richard loved participating in sports. In high school he played football and baseball, in college he wrestled, in Belgium he was on a soccer team, and later also participated as a member of a broomball team. In retirement he enjoyed watching sports on television, especially with his father. However, Richard’s greatest passions, besides spending time with family and friends, were hunting and fishing.

Throughout his life Richard was hardworking, caring, loving and always lived a life of service to others. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and students will fondly recall that Richard would sing while he built scenery, often fracturing the lyrics for their amusement and delight.

Richard is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Sandstone; son, Michael of Duluth; father, Vernon “Chub” Ebnet of New Prague; sisters, Mary Carol (Roman) Dorzinski of New Prague and Barbara (Mike) Rothwell of St. Louis, MO. Richard is preceded in death by his infant son, Danny Paul, and mother, Phyllis Ebnet.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Saturday, March 4th, at the Sandstone Fire Station (113 Main St., Sandstone, MN) at 3:00 pm with a meal to follow. Private burial will occur at a later date in New Prague.