Richard Pressnall

Richard Anibal Pressnall

January 19, 1944 - March 21, 2025

Richard Anibal Pressnall was born on January 19, 1944-and the mold was broken. Always a learner, teacher, helper, and creator, he left this world a better place when he passed from it on March 21, 2025.

"Everyone has the same number of hours in their day - it is about how you use them." - Dick Pressnall

And use them he did.

Dick grew up in Randolph, MN, and graduated from Randolph High School, where he was active in sports, 4H, and NHS. While attending UW-River Falls, he worked as an orderly at St. John's Hospital, an experience that led him to pursue a nursing degree from St. Mary's and become a CRNA through the Mayo School of Nurse Anesthesia.

Dick's anesthesia career spanned too many hospitals to mention, but among the most notable were St. Paul Ramsey, where he helped instruct and inspire future CRNAs, and Gillette, Masonic, and Minneapolis Children's hospitals, where he charmed children to sleep.

Dick also charmed his way into Janie's life, sharing 27 years of love and lasting memories built upon family gatherings, beach vacations, shared projects, road trips, and time in the Ozarks. He loved waltzing his "Honey," and he was an unwavering source of support, encouragement, and life lessons to his stepsons. Later in life, Dick's unique ability to connect with children became an indelible presence as the beloved "Bupa" in the lives of his grandchildren.

Dick's talents and passions were many-and always on a grand scale. Raised in a farming community and working for Green Giant during high school, he carried his love of the land and ability to coax crops from clay throughout his life. He loved to create, building houses, sheds, and wonderfully quirky masterpieces, each crafted with his own unique vision and touch. And perhaps his most unexpected talent: knitting.

He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and dedication and will be deeply missed by the many lives he touched.

Dick was predeceased by his grandparents (Pressnall & Cords-he was always quick to share all they taught him), his parents, Ray and Charlotte (Cords) Pressnall, and his brother, Don. Also preceding him in death were his beloved schnauzers: Fritz, Schnopps, Yodel, Emmy, and Tessie.

He is survived by his wife, Janie (Swanson-Binkowski); stepsons John (Birgit), Matthew (Karen), and Michael (Sabrina) Binkowski; and the grandchildren who adored their "Bupa"-Lukas, Niklas, Ruby, and Lea Binkowski. He is also survived by his brother, Dennis (Cheryl) Pressnall; sisters Pat (Merlin) Johnson and Susan (Gary) Lynch; sister-in-law Vanda Pressnall; nieces and nephews Lori Stokes, Cory (Kari) Johnson, Jill Johnson (Kim Minkel), Becky (Paul) Harvey, Bryce (Kristi) Pressnall, Brian (Ellen) Lynch, and Michael (Sarah) Lynch. Dick was also previously married to MaryAnn Bruce.

Dick had a rare gift for forming deep and lasting connections. In addition to his family, he leaves behind many special friends, neighbors, and colleagues who will miss him dearly.

A heartfelt thank you from Janie and Dick's family to everyone working in memory care, especially the compassionate staff at The Haven at Cottagewood. These individuals are true heroes.

In honor of Dick, memorials may be directed to Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research, Rochester Paws & Claws, or Gillette Children's Hospital.

There will be a memorial service at 1pm on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held from 2-5pm at the Ranfranz and Vine Remembrance and Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Pressnall family.