Fair / 48° F
Richard Herness, 97, of rural Dalton
Published 2:03pm Monday, October 8, 2012 Updated 4:04pm Monday, October 8, 2012Richard Hernes, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.
Richard Melbert Herness was born on March 10, 1915, in Eagle Lake Township in rural Battle Lake, of Norwegian and Danish heritage the son of Henry Lars and Christina Johanna (Nelson) Herness. He was baptized shortly after his birth.
Richard attended Rural School District 6, then moved with his family to Williston, N.D., during the dry years where he completed the eighth grade. They lived seven years in North Dakota before returning to Minnesota. He farmed with his family and for area farmers until purchasing his farm in St. Olaf Township, where he was in partnership with his brother, George.
Richard resided on the farm until entering the Evansville Care Center in February of 2010.
He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, the Hill and Valley Riders Saddle Club serving as treasure for 20 years and had served as a supervisor for 33 years with the St. Olaf Town Board.
He enjoyed fishing, was an avid reader and also liked traveling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Christina Herness; three brothers, Fernell, Gordon and George; two sisters, Gladys Rodvold and Vivian Nelson; and five nieces and three nephews.
Richard is survived by two sisters-in-law, Bernice Herness of Alexandria and Maxine “Mickie” Herness of rural Dalton; nieces and nephews, Sandra (Dean) Moore of Fergus Falls, Merle Herness of Dalton, Monte Herness of Alexandria, Lloyd (Lois) Nelson and Violet (Herb) Huntly all of Williston, Francis (Hank) Young of Detroit, Mich., Gerald (Eva) Rodvold of Billings, Mont., Richard (Robin) Rodvold of Anaheim, Calif., Roger (Shirley) Herness of Coon Rapids and Glen (Ruth) Herness of Fergus Falls; and numerous great-nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation: Wednesday one hour prior to the service
Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Battle Lake
Clergy: Rev. Todd Hylden
Burial: Bethel Lutheran Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby
