Richard L. “Dick” Eliason

Richard L. “Dick” Eliason passed away peacefully on the morning of September 28, 2026, at Legacy of the Northwoods in Eagle River at the age of 85. A businessman with an eye for possibility and a generous heart, Dick spent his life building, helping, laughing, and moving on to the next project. Sitting still was never really his specialty.

Dick was born on July 29, 1941, in Rhinelander to Oscar and Lucille Eliason. He grew up at the family homestead at Murmuring Waters Resort on Lost Lake in St. Germain, where he learned early about hard work and hospitality. Between maintaining the resort, bartending, and entertaining guests along with his brothers, Donnie and Jerry, he developed skills that would serve him well throughout his life. During his school years, he also worked for his Uncle Carl at Eliason Lumber Co. in Sayner.

In 1959, Dick graduated from Eagle River Union High School and shortly thereafter, alongside his mother, Lucille, passed the Wisconsin real estate broker’s exam. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he found plenty to enjoy, perhaps a little too much, before returning to St. Germain to begin his real estate adventure.

In 1961, Dick and his twin brother, Don, founded Eliason Realty of the North. Over the following decades, they had numerous real estate developments and converted countless resorts to condominiums, beginning with Ed Gabe’s Lost Lake Resort in the mid-1970s, and continuing on with his daughters and sons-in-law with projects including Black Bear Lodge and Wild Eagle Lodge. He had a gift for seeing value and potential, and the energy to turn those possibilities into something real. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to successful ventures including Flash 401 Snowmobile Oil distributorship and Stihl/Cutquik chainsaw wholesaling.

Dick loved St. Germain and took great pride in helping shape its growth. It meant a great deal to him that his work helped others find their own place to call home in the Northwoods.

One of the most important chapters of his life began just a short boat ride from home. In the summer of 1960, Dick fell in love with Bonita M. “Bonnie” Bertaux of Oak Park, Ill., who spent that summer waitressing at Ed Gabe’s Lost Lake Resort. Their first date was at Weber’s Wildlife. They married in May 1965, welcomed daughters Diane and Richelle, and shared 61 wonderful years of marriage.

Dick’s love of the water stayed with him throughout his life. He and Bonnie spent many winters boating in Florida, traveling and making wonderful memories with family and friends. He also enjoyed downhill skiing, hunting, snowmobiling, and golfing. In later years, his favorite toy was his Kubota tractor, often called into service for jobs a wheelbarrow could have handled. But where was the fun in that?

From childhood on, Dick was always on the go. Even as dementia changed his life, that desire to keep moving remained. His family is grateful to the many caring neighbors who helped look out for him.

For all his business accomplishments, few things made Dick prouder than his grandchildren. He loved teaching them to hunt and gut deer, pulling them on water skis, attending their sporting events, and making them laugh with his stories. Time with Jack, Joe, Hadley, and Colby was something he treasured.

Dick was incredibly generous with what he had and always happy to help someone who needed it. His family and friends will remember not only his accomplishments, but also his kindness, his wonderful sense of humor, his positive attitude, and the joy he took in doing things for others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lucille; his sister, Joyce Lee; his twin brother, Don; his sisters-in-law, Colette Bertaux and Patricia Eliason; and his brother-in-law, Louis Bertaux.

He is survived by and will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Bonnie; his daughters, Diane (John Misina) and Richelle (Tim Kruse); his grandchildren, Jack and Joe Misina, and Hadley and Colby Kruse; brother, Jerry Eliason, sister-in-law Kathy Eliason and brother-in-law Michael Bertaux; and his niece and many nephews.

Dick leaves a lasting mark on the Northwoods and an even deeper one on the people who loved him. His projects may be finished, but the stories, and the laughter, will carry on.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sayner, WI. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 12:30 p.m., with a luncheon at the church thereafter.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Sayner, toward their parish hall renovation, or to Seasons of Life Hospice in Woodruff, via the Howard Young Foundation, where Bonnie volunteered. 

Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com.