Richard "Dick" Roman Kaley
May 29, 1937 - March 18, 2025
Richard Roman Kaley (aka Poncho, Mex, Dick) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, surrounded by his family, at St. Croix Hospice in Roseville, Minnesota.
Dick was born on May 29, 1937 to George and Lorraine (Eder) Kaley and was a life-long resident of Shakopee, Minnesota.
Dick was a very patriotic man and proud of his military service. He served two years of active duty in the Army and 32 years in the Army Reserves. He was in the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Maintenance Battalion and the 775th Aerial Delivery Company, and was a Parachute Rigger and Senior Jumpmaster. He left the 775th to get his E9 and then went to the 103rd Corps Support Command. His rank at retirement was Command Sergeant Major (E9).
Dick was a well-respected member of the Shakopee Police Department. He retired after 38 years of service at a rank of Sergeant. He was known to be a fair and good police officer by those he served and worked with.
Dick enjoyed puttering around his farm near Shakopee which he shared with his wife Nellie and her kids. He vowed he would never leave the farm! They enjoyed caring for a variety of animals including horses, goats, chickens and naturally, dogs. Each spring, at the direction of Nellie, he would plow the garden patch so she could plant the large vegetable garden. Dick also enjoyed occasional travel and hunting and fishing trips with friends and family. He took great pleasure in meeting up with long-time friends for morning coffee and a gab session at a local restaurant.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lorraine Kaley; and siblings, Jean Dressen, Donald Kaley and LaVonne Rademacher. Dick is survived by Nellie (his wife of 38 years); his step-children, Kimaree (Terry Abear) Arndt, Alicia (Eric) Bright, Casey (Tiffany) Bender, and Sarah (Aaron) Thoreson; children, Beth (Mark) Juergen, Nancy Kaley and Jeff (Cheryl) Kaley; plus many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
All services will be held at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave. East, Shakopee: Visitation Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 4-8 PM; Visitation also on Wednesday, April 2, from 10-11 AM, followed by a Prayer Service at 11 AM.
Immediately after the service, all are invited to a luncheon at Jackson Town Hall,1091 - 130th St. West, Shakopee, Minnesota.
Burial with full military honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, on Thursday, April 3, at 10 AM. (Meet at Assembly Area 4 by 9:45 AM)
Visit the McNearney-Schmidt obituary page.
Obituary and photo submitted by McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation.