ISLE, Minn. — For more than 40 years, Richard "Dickie" Gadbois was the face of Dickie's on Mille Lacs, a fishing business open year-round.
Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton said the 80-year-old was driving a small SUV onto the lake Friday to check conditions, but soon the vehicle broke through the ice, which was only about 6 inches thick. The incident occurred a couple hundred yards away from his rental office on shore, the sheriff said.
Burton said a close friend found Gadbois' body floating in the water, and that he dragged him to shore and called 911. He died at the hospital.
"Well-known guy up there," Burton said. "I mean, he'd been running ice fishing outfits out there for decades."
The sheriff said Gadbois was wearing a flotation suit when he went through the ice, and said he hopes this tragedy serves as an important safety reminder.
"A lot of sheriffs around the state have shared this with the public, and with the media this year, just to be careful because it has been a weird winter and I know everybody's anxious to get out there and fish and have fun, and we want you to do those things, but we certainly don't want to go out and rescue people or recover bodies from water at all," Burton said.
Gadbois' vehicle remained in the lake Wednesday with plans to remove it this week or next week.
Wheel House Warriors is a nonprofit giving back to veterans, active military, law enforcement and small business owners. Founder Karina Johnson said Gadbois was the reason she started the organization.
Wheel House Warriors plans to dedicate its 5th Annual Winter Event in memory of Gadbois, on Feb. 9-11 with a raffle Feb. 10 near Dickie's on Mille Lacs and MSA Flagship. Donated prizes include everything from toothpaste and 5-gallon buckets to fishing rods and trips to destinations, such as lodges. Raffle participants must be present to win.
MSA Flagship also plans to host a benefit event with a silent auction on March 9 to help support Gadbois' wife Marge, who was identifed as was his "high school sweetheart" in his obituary posted to Mueller Memorial Funerals and Cremation's website.
Gadbois' obituary also said he "dedicated a large part of his life to taking people fishing," and "he died trying to keep those people safe on the lake."
"He was truly a jack of all trades and one of the hardest workers," the obit said. "Most think of Dickie as having spent a lifetime on Mille Lacs and he did - He also lived another lifetime before that - Dickie 'LIVED' more than most."
Gadbois' visitation is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2024 between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Hinckley Community Center in Hinckley.
You can read his full obituary and get more information about his upcoming service here.
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