Joseph A. Richards

Joseph Arnold Richards entered his Heavenly home on April 3, 2018, where he joined Todd, his beloved son. He passed away at the Fergus Falls (MN) Veterans Home, at the age of 84. Joe was the most loving husband, dad, brother, uncle, and friend and was loved by everyone who knew him.

Joe was born October 24, 1933, the son of Arnold and Anna Richards in Georgetown, MN. He was raised on a farm near Georgetown and graduated from Moorhead High School. Joe served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1954 until 1956. Upon returning home to the family farm, he began farming near Georgetown, or "God's Country" as Joe liked to call it. He was an exceptional steward of the land and loved farming with his brothers and nephew. He was always the first one to volunteer to run for parts, fix something, or to help with whatever needed to be done. Joe was also active in the Georgetown community where he volunteered for the Elevator Board, the Township Board, and St. John the Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir.

Joe married Elizabeth "Betty" Zwinger on April 17, 1971, at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Sykeston, ND. They had three children, Tina, Teri, and Todd.

Joe lived with Alzheimer's Disease, but through it all he remained the patient caring man he was throughout his life. On December 13, 2011, he moved to the Fergus Falls Veterans Home. For the last four and a half years he resided in The Village of the Veterans Home, where the residents and staff became his family and friends and music and interaction became his lifeline. On Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 11:30 AM, Joe took his final journey, draped in the American Flag, out the front door of the Veterans Home, the same way he came in six years ago, with all the staff and residents standing at attention.

Joe enjoyed time at the lake, fishing and woodworking. He will be remembered for his warm smile and kind blue eyes. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Betty"; daughters, Tina and Teri; brothers, Allan (Gladys) and Larry (Kathy); sister, Janice (Morton) Brendemuhl; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; son, Todd; brothers Don and Clayton; and sister Gerry.

The family cannot begin to express their appreciation to the Veteran's Home staff of nurses and NUW's for their wonderful care, concern, compassion and love for Joe and his blue eyes.

Memoriasl may be directed to the Fergus Falls Veterans Home Village recreation fund, St. Elizabeth Building Fund or CCRI.

A Visitation for Joe will be Friday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM, Prayer Service in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Moorhead. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 7, 2018, at 11:00 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery, Sykeston, ND, at a later date.

Following the funeral and reception at St. Joseph's, everyone is invited to the American Legion in Moorhead for a celebration with music and sharing of memories.

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead, MN)