Richard Arnold Korgel, 73, Minot, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 28, 2015.

Born October 28, 1941 in Minot, North Dakota, Richard was the first child of Arnold and Rose (Kotasek) Korgel. He grew up on the family farm north of Minot, attending local schools. He graduated from Minot High School in 1959.

Throughout his adulthood, Richard assisted his father with the operation of the farm also working full-time, until he assumed full operation of the family farm himself, following his father and mother\'s retirement. Richard married Nita Jean Olson April 26, 1963 in Minot. They settled in Minot, later moving east of town, where they raised the family.

Along with farming and helping rear their five children, he sustained a life-long passion for horses. A cowboy at heart, he owned horses, taught his children to ride, competed in team roping, belonged to a saddle club, went on rides in western North Dakota and helped with cattle drives in Montana. Out of the saddle, Richard enjoyed working with leather, reading western novels and magazines, and watching western movies and TV shows.

He later retired from farming, and traveling with Nita annually to visit their children and grandchildren. When his wife Nita died in 2010, he became a member of Surrey Senior Citizens and enjoyed many meals out with his close friends. He also assisted his son, Rick, with the operation of Rick\'s business, Country Auto.

His loving family include: his mother Rose, Minot; daughters Desiree (Alan) Hamill, Lancaster, CA; Robin (Niki) Young, Salinas, CA; Lisa (Bill) Cole, Colorado Springs, CO; and Jennifer (Chad) Lambert, Surrey; and son Richard Korgel and his friend, Tracy Humann, Minot; grandchildren Ryan, Aaron, Julia, Sydney and Kayden; and his sisters Darlene (Romaine) Streifel, Minot, and Sandra (Randy) Ehlers, Burlington, along with several nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nita, father Arnold, and sister in-law Patricia McCarthy.

Funeral service : Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot. Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Friday, October 2, 2015 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Surrey Senior Center.