Richard Urdahl

Richard Charles Urdahl, age 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 10, 2015. He died at home, on the farm he loved and tended most of his life. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday at the Zion Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Interment will be held in Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Ecumen Hospice of Litchfield, Flowers of Mercy and Zion Lutheran Church. Dick was born January 23, 1932, to Silas and Fern (Isaacson) Urdahl. He grew up on a farm south of Litchfield with his three younger brothers Paul, Loren and Carlton. Dick attended country school number 68 and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1951. The following year he graduated from Minneapolis Business College and was drafted into the army. Dick served two years in the army military police in Seoul, Korea. He married his high school sweetheart, Janet Kruger, just a week after returning home. They settled in Excelsior, Minnesota, where he worked as an accountant. A year later they returned to Litchfield, and he continued his accounting work at Thompson Yards and Ideal Lumber until deciding to join his father in farming. Dick and Janet had three children—David, Janelle and Mark. Despite the busy life of the farm, he always found time to have fun with his family. He also cared for Janet during her battle with cancer, until she passed away in 1986 after 32 years of marriage. Dick married Lucy Krug of Grove City in 1988. During their 27 years of marriage, Dick was a loving stepfather to Lucy's children Ed, Sheila, Sharon, Chris and Mike. Dick and Lucy enjoyed attending family events, playing cards with friends and entertaining guests. All the while Dick continued to farm, along with his son Dave and eventually his grandson Joel. Dick was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served on a variety of boards. He had a strong, quiet faith and a love for God, his family and his friends. He also served on the board of Unity Mutual Fire Insurance. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, coffee with friends, and games of Fast Track with his grandchildren. (He always won.) Dick always looked forward to spring, when he could return to the field. Last year, despite his health problems, he was able to do most of the tilling. When he could no longer get onto the tractor, he headed out in his Ranger, checking the crops and delivering snacks. Richard is survived by his wife Lucy; his children David (Jodine), Janelle (Steve) and Mark (Cathy); his stepchildren Ed, Sheila, Sharon, Christian (Susan) and Michael (Amy); his brother Carlton; seven grandchildren— Alyssa (Cory), Joel (Stephanie), Melayna (Joseph), Philip, Janae, Anna (Jeff) and Leah; and eleven step grandchildren—Danielle (Clint), Lauren (Bob), Hannah (Dan), Sarah, Christine (Jason), Kyle, Cody, Nicole, Tyler, Hayden, and Logan; and 14 great grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Silas and Fern, his wife Janet, his brothers Paul and Loren, and his grandson Nathan. We were blessed by every year we spent with Dick, and we will miss him. But we take great joy in picturing him walking on strong legs through the fields of heaven. Now he is truly home.Previous Events Visitation Thursday, January 15, 2015 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, January 16, 2015 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355