Richard "Dick" Balut, Sr., 67, Willow River, died suddenly on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.  He was born on March 17, 1956 to Joe and Irene Balut.  Dick grew up west of Willow River on his parents' dairy farm and attended Willow River High School graduating in 1974.   On August 16, 1975, Dick married Cindy Shelton in Sturgeon Lake.  Through the years, Dick worked construction and was very proud of his backhoe operating skills!  He had worked for Mlaskoch Construction, Cornerstone Construction, and for the last four years he worked for his son at Buckshot Construction. Dick loved gardening, hunting, fishing, woodworking, and working on different projects that could range from remodeling an old fish house, to building items with barnwood, or restoring an old tractor.  He will always be remembered for being a jokester.  Whether it was creating their yearly red neck Christmas card, sharing a good joke, or constantly pushing Cindy's buttons; Dick's sense of humor was always in full force!  In recent years, Dick became obsessed with his phone and really excelled at snap chatting, asking Siri for anything he needed, and spying on where his kids and grandkids were at any moment of their life.  He loved being a grandpa and taking in their sporting events.  Dick even got the grandkids a four-wheeler and built them a teepee to keep them occupied while at Grandpa and Grandma's house.  Dick liked staying busy at life while keeping the atmosphere light with his unique sense of humor.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents: Joe and Irene Balut; brothers: Dean Balut; Eugene Balut, Sr.; and David "Hooker" Balut, Sr.; and his daughter: April Balut.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cindy; four children: Theresa Strand; Richard "Buckshot" (Molly) Balut, Jr.; Tarra (Chris) Ludford; and Tracy (RJ) Wiley; grandchildren: Abby and Tessa Strand; Richard III, Maddie, Reed, and Mariah Balut; Leland and Liam Ludford; and Reese and Teagen Wiley; four siblings: Janell Ketchmark; Bernard Balut; Bernadette (Nels Jessen) Balut; and Joe (Becky) Balut, Jr.; his in-laws: Kristy Balut; Tom (Tammy) Shelton; Tim (Lucky) Shelton; Chris LaPenotiere; and Mike Horton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be from 11 am until the 1 pm service on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Evangelical Covenant Church, Moose Lake.  Cremation will take place after the funeral service.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.