Dick McCarthy Family Fire - Help -Devastating Loss

Help Dick and Marie McCarthy Family recover and rebuild from their total loss house fire in Kelliher, MN.

We are Dick’s sisters, Marlene Appel & Ilene Olson, and we are creating this GoFundMe page to help them with this emergency.

On Valentine's Day 2019, our brother Dick McCarthy came home at about 4 p.m. and discovered he had a chimney fire. He quickly called the fire department and began working to put it out. By the time the fire department arrived, the house was totally engulfed in flames. Unfortunately, he was not able to re-enter the house and remove any of their personal belongings. Our brother Dick watched in despair as their home, along with all their belongings inside went up in flames. It did not take long before he realized that this would be a total loss for him and his wife. It was a very sad day for both of them.

They had recently purchased this house and had poured their time, love and finances into remodeling and were finally able to move in. Adding to the devastation, was the fact they did not have homeowner’s insurance yet. They were in the process of getting a new furnace, so they could be insured. They had a wood burning-stove, and in Minnesota it is almost impossible to get homeowners insurance if you use a wood furnace that is placed inside your home.

They are looking for temporary housing in Kelliher while they come up with a plan to tear down and rebuild their place.  At this point, Dick only has the clothes on his back, and Marie has a few clothing items at Cornerstone Residence. Let’s all do what we can to show them some love and get them through this devastating loss. 

For those of you that don’t know Dick & Marie, they both grew up in the Kelliher area and have lived there for most of their lives. Dick is 68 years old and Marie is 76. Dick’s job was building, and remodeling homes, and Marie painted and wallpapered, among other things.

They have both been a staple in the community for many years and very active in community service.
They both have worked with The Sheriff’s Mounted Posse (which is a horseback search and rescue operation) for 22 years and are still members. When someone goes missing in the region, there’s a pretty good chance law enforcement officers will send in a posse. They were both members of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Association For 35 years.
Dick was the Mayor of Kelliher for four years, president of the Jaycee's for two years, Chairman of the annual TAKE A KID FISHING trip project for three years. Sponsored by Blackduck and Kelliher Lutheran churches, and Chairman of Ducks unlimited for four years.


See More Photos Here 

For those who would like to see our goals (Milestone) and the progress you are helping to achieve we are breaking them down as best we can estimate. These may change as time goes on and new details develop.


Milestone #1: $2,000.00 for immediate help replacing clothing, shoes, and normal living expenses such as food, gas, and paying bills. 

Milestone #2: $1,800.00 for temporary housing, including 1st month's rent, last month’s rent, and deposit. (Because Marie has suffered four strokes and she now needs constant care, Dick is her main caregiver.  When necessary, she is able to spend the day at the Corner Stone Residence in Kelliher, so they are looking for handicapped-accessible temporary housing in Kelliher.)

Milestone #3: $4,000.00 to furnish their temporary home with used furniture. (Stove, Fridge, Table, Chairs, Sofa, Bed, Bedding, Pots and Pans, computer, internet, phone service etc.).  

Milestone #4: $5,000.00 to tear down and haul away burned house per city requirements.

Milestone #5: $40,000.00 for Dick & Marie’s new home. This is the biggest but most important milestone and we can’t wait to be able to help with this. This milestone will be updated as they learn more, but they have been told it would take $100,000 to replace the home they lost. We of course are hoping and praying that God will provide exactly what is needed and we appreciate everyone’s support.

Milestone #6: $7,000.00 Now for the icing on the cake. Help them move into and furnish their new home.


Thank you all for taking the time to read this.  Please take a moment to send a prayer of comfort for them.  Let’s help turn this devastating loss into a new beginning for them! Anything you can do is appreciated! 

For those that are not comfortable making donations online donations can be made locally at:
First State Bank of Bigfork
84 Main St E
Kelliher, MN 56650
Phone: (218) [phone redacted]

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much!” – Helen Keller