Richard D. Bien

Richard Dale 'Rick' Bien was born on Wednesday, December 17, 1947, in Ottawa, Kansas. He was the son of LeRoy D. and Jeanette Helena (Slaby) Bien. A lifelong resident, Rick made his home in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, until his death on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at the age of fifty-nine years. Rick graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1966. He was a three-year Letterman in football, basketball, and track, and Homecoming King in the Fall of 1966. He enjoyed coaching Little League, Midget League, and Babe Ruth Baseball. He was a master gardener, loved playing cards with family and friends, and talking to his granddaughter, Emma Rose, on the phone. For the past ten years, 1997 to present, he has been employed as a meat cutter for Hen House Grocery in Lenexa. From 1964 to 1971, he was employed as a meat manager for Pence's IGA in Ottawa, and 1971 to 1994, meat manager for Waymire Grocery, in Olathe and Ottawa. While working as a supervisor meat manager at Waymire's, the store won an award based on production and profit. From 1994 to 1997, he worked for Dahl's Foods in Overland Park. Rick served in the United States Army from November of 1967 to July of 1969, attaining the rank of Sgt. (E-5), receiving the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. He served in Headquarters & Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Brigade, Wolf Hounds, 25th Infantry Division. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; thirty-five year member of Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901; and Warren Black Post #60, American Legion, all of Ottawa. On September 9, 1967, Rick was united in marriage with Peggy Jo Milburn in Ottawa. They were later divorced. He is survived by his father of Ottawa; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Tony Stottlemire of Rantoul, KS; granddaughter, Emma Rose Stottlemire of Rantoul; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Tim and Rosemary Bien of Pomona, KS, James and Nancy Bien of Ottawa, Aaron and Cindy Bien of Olathe, KS, Charles and Frida Bien of Sacramento, CA; sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Carl Coffman of Wellsville, KS; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother. SERVICES: A Funeral Mass will be held from Sacred Heart Church in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2007. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Bien at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 10:00 a.m. Thursday, where a Rosary will be said at 6:30 Friday evening followed by a family visition at 7:00. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas, with Military Honors. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic School, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.