Peter Dean Wickert

Peter Wickert Age 66, of Saint Paul, MN formerly of Appleton, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Peter got his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked at Chemplex in Clinton, IA for 2 years before going to graduate school at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Then he worked at 3M for 33 years until he retired in 2019. During his time at 3M, he received multiple patents for his innovations in chemical engineering.

His passion for music continued throughout his life. He played soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone. He played in the Minnesota State Band, the Saint Paul Saxophone Quartet and substituted in several jazz groups. He sang in church choir and with the Minnesänger Choir at the Germanic-American Institute in Saint Paul.

He was an avid woodworker and made the family household furniture, housewares, toys and funny creations such as oven squirrels.

He was involved with Wednesday and Saturday German conversation groups, taught beginning German, and studied French with a 3M group for many years.

He bicycled with the Lafayette Riders for 13 years in Europe and in North America. He rode every Tuesday on a Pensioner's Ride at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The Cranking Turtles was his after-work biking group from 3M.

He camped around Lake Superior during the two weeks before his passing with his wife in their teardrop trailer which he loved.

He was part of the Trap and Skeet Shooting Club at 3M for many years and served on the board.

He was involved in Cub Scouts as a Cubmaster for Pack 558, and Boy Scouts as Scoutmaster for Troop 216 for many years. He loved teaching the youth outdoor skills and watching them grow as young men.

Peter was heavily involved with his church community. He taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, played his saxophone, was Council President for four years, and was involved in Men's Bible Study.

He started the Society for the Advancement of Silliness, which was a group of retired men from 3M that met at The North Pole Restaurant for breakfast and laughter.

Peter was enthusiastic and never afraid to try something new even if it might make him look silly or embarrass his family and friends. He loved his puns, ...He also enjoyed traveling the world, fishing, hunting, bread baking, dogs, and going to Dairy Queen for a small chocolate-dipped cone.

He is preceded in death by parents Keith and Doris Wickert. Also preceded by his canine companions Cindy, Spot, and Qwerty and his feline companion Socks.

Peter is survived by wife Sue, son Andrew, daughters Karen (Matthew), and Laura. Also survived by two brothers, Bruce Wickert, Mark (Becki) Wickert, and sister Beth (Greg) Allard, along with nephews David Wickert, Paul (Meredith) Wickert, Elliot Allard (Malcolm Jones), and Daniel Allard. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle Marjie and Pat Price, along with cousins Erik Eckdahl and Adam (Laura) Price.

Celebration of Life for Peter will be held on Friday, September 25th at 11 AM at the

Maplewood Community Center 2100 White Bear Ave. Maplewood, MN 55109

Donations can be made in Peter's memory to The Germanic-American Institute: https://www.gaimn.org/donate-new

• The Red Cross https://raise.redcross.org/PeterWickertMemorial