Richard J. Larson, 79, Minot and formerly of Ryder and Makoti died on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in a Minot healthcare center.

Richard James Larson was born on February 29, 1940 in Ryder, ND to Arnold and Elizabeth (Petz) Larson. He was raised on a farm near Ryder, educated in Ryder and Makoti and graduated from Makoti High School in 1958. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 26, 1958 and served until his honorable discharge on May 6, 1961. He reenlisted on November 17, 1961, received his honorable discharge on June 2, 1963, reenlisted again on June 3, 1963 and was honorably discharged on May 23, 1969. During his time in the U.S. Army he received the Good Conduct Medal with two loops, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge for the M-14, Vietnam Campaign Medal and One Overseas Bar. His final tours of duty were with the 34th Headquarters Engineering Group and the 68th Artillery Battalion.

Richard married Sandra Rostberg on September 7, 1963 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN. They made their home in Fort Richardson AK and Washington D.C. where he worked at the Walter Reed Medical Center prior to serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. Following his discharge from the Army they made their home in Richfield where Richard was employed as a bus driver for the Metro-Transport Commission. They moved to Ryder in June of 1983 where they managed the Ryder Café for ten years and then he was a postal carrier for the U.S. Postal Service from 1990 until he retired in 2013. Sandra died on April 24, 2006. Richard moved to Minot in 2013 and most recently was a resident of Minot Health and Rehab.

Richard was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., Ryder Community Club and Hiddenwood Sportsman Club. His hobbies included fishing, reading, travel and he was an avid sports fan.

Richard is survived by his children: Michael (Mary) Larson of Fargo, Daniel (Brandi) Larson and Barbara (Brandon) Boshears all of Minot; grandchildren: Jesse, Jon, Lexi, Maria, Emily, Ian and Erik; great grandchildren: Jarvis, Ezra, Xander, Ryker, Ayden and Norah; siblings: Byron (Donna) Larson of Ryder, Ronald (Karen) Larson of Garrison, Eileen Ehlert of Renton WA, Joan (John) Christensen of Las Vegas, Sylvia Thompson of Wimberly TX, Linda (David) Jacobsen of Minot and Nancy Larson of Albuquerque NM and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers: Eugene and Micheal and brothers-in-law: Pat Thompson and Don Ehlert.

Celebration of the Life of Richard Larson: Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John Lutheran Church - Ryder.
Interment: Ryder Community Cemetery
Visitation: Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Makoti Ambulance or Ryder Fire Department.

Richard Larson Flower Pictures