The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Richard Watkins, died Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls, surrounded by his family.

He was born Dec. 27, 1933, in Bear Creek Township, the son of Charles and Olga (Lindstrom) Watkins. He attended rural school.

Dick joined the Army spending most of his time in Germany. He returned from the service and worked for many years for Martin Engineering Company out of Pelican Rapids.

In 1973 he purchased his farm outside of Erhard and began milking cows. He was forced to retire early due to health problems but he was never one to slow down for very long.

Dick enjoyed the outdoors. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting.

After retirement, he got horses and spent many hours “playing” with his teams of horses.

Whether it was pulling family and friends through trails near the farm, or hauling folks through Barnesville at Potato Days, or pulling a wagon in area parades, he enjoyed it all.

Dick was a member of the Central Minnesota Draft Horse Association.

Dick took a couple lessons and practiced for hours to learn to play guitar. Old time country music was a favorite. He would go to area nursing homes and senior centers to entertain with song. Dick always enjoyed a good game of cribbage.

He could peg points faster than most people could count and was just as quick with a smart comment.

Dick lived at The Minnesota Veterans Home for the last 10 months. He enjoyed the wonderful meals and was cared for with such compassion. The caretakers tolerated his warped sense of humor quite well.

Survivors include his children, Keith (Leah) of Erhard, Robin (Ron) Klovstad of Erhard, Cindy (Jim) Gross of La Crescent, and their mother, Marie (Wilander) Paulson; Amber (Scott) Nichols of Spicer, Aaron (Lisa) of Battle Lake, Heidi of Fergus Falls, and Edward (Hannah) of Rothsay, and their mother, Katherine (Popowski) Bjorgum; 13 grandchildren; siblings, Doris Thorson of Bemidji, Gladys Roberts of Virginia, Beverly Roberts of Solway, Pat Berg of Valders, Wis., David of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Mike of Becida; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Evelyn (Peasley) Gast.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Charles, Jr. (Buzz), Gary, Donna Fenner and Duane (Buck).

An open house visitation celebrating Dick’s life is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard.