A memorial service for Wayne L. Richard, 96, of Estherville, will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at Estherville Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Johnson and Pastor Doug Burton officiating. Interment will be held at a later date at East Side Memorial Cemetery, Estherville, with military honors by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91, both of Estherville. Wayne passed away on Aug. 6, 2024, at Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care of Estherville.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Wayne Leon Richard, son of Albert and Ethel (Klein) Richard was born on April 12, 1928, in Wallingford, Iowa. Wayne attended country schools through 8th grade and then attended and graduated from Estherville High School in 1945. He joined the United States Army on September 20, 1946. Upon completion of basic training, Wayne was stationed in Japan with the occupational forces during World War II. He returned home to Iowa in 1948. He logged for a winter in the Minnesota Valley, before being called back to the Army to serve during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, where he met his lifelong friend Stan Johnson. He was honorably discharged in 1951. He returned home to Iowa and married his neighborhood sweetheart, Norma Young, on December 16, 1951, in Wallingford. They began farming by Wallingford, in 1953 they moved to a farm northeast of Estherville, to raise their family and stayed on that farm until 2010, when they moved into Estherville into Homestead Cooperative. Wayne and Norma enjoyed traveling, until their health and age didn’t allow them to. They enjoyed trips to Canada, Alaska, Caribbean, and wintered in Texas for many years.
Wayne is a member of Estherville Lutheran Church. Volunteering and supporting the community was very important to Wayne. Throughout the years he was a Boy Scout and 4H leader, served on the Estherville School Board, member of the ELK, Wallingford Legion, Estherville VFW Post 3388, and Farm Bureau. He enjoyed playing cards at the pool hall. Wayne enjoyed spending time at the VFW playing cards and helping with the steak nights. He also found joy in hunting and fishing with friends and family. Wayne’s greatest passion was farming and was extremely proud that two of his grandsons are continuing to follow his footsteps; this also worried him a lot.
Wayne is survived by his wife Norma; his children Russell (Shari) Richard, Susan (Dan) Nelsen, and Becky (Mike) Tow; 8 grandchildren Stephanie Richard, Keith (Erica) Richard, Andy (Betsy) Lown, Morgan (Thomas) Kucala, Kaitlin (Dalton) Martinson, Samuel (Brooke) Tow, Timothy (Jackie) Tow, Thomas Tow; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Donald (Marge) Richard.
Memorials preferred to the Estherville Library, Emmet County Nature Center, or Emmet County 4H and FFA. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
