Richard Dolezal, 82, Dickinson, died Thursday, October 28, 2010 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Richard’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, November 5, 2010 at St. John Lutheran Church, Killdeer, with Rev. Joel Sauerwein officiating. Interment will follow at the Oakdale Cemetery, north of Killdeer, with Military Honors provided by the Killdeer American Legion Ezra Barrows Post 46. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Richard was born in Killdeer on March 14, 1928 to Frank and Henrietta (Kadrmas) Dolezal. He attended school in Killdeer, graduating in 1946. He then attended D.S.T.C. (DSU). While in high school and college he was an active sports participant, an interest he Kept his entire life, following his children and grandchildren. He was inducted into the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
He married Marlys Knutson 60 years ago in Almont, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, serving in Greenland and Duluth, Minn., from February of 1951 to December of 1954.
Farming and ranching were his true calling, he was an excellent steward of the land on which he grew up and he and Marlys raised their family. His wish was fulfilled on retirement when their son John, Cheryl and family carried on as 3rd generation owners of the family farm. He continued to help on the farm until his health began to decline.
Rich and Marlys retired to Dickinson in 1989 where they enjoyed college activities and going to auctions searching for antiques to refinish. They rarely missed family activities here or out of state as family was always a priority. The grandchildren never had a routine day when Grandpa was the babysitter. They learned early in life to love Grandpa’s pranks.
His last five years were spent at Evergreen, Country House and St. Benedict’s Health Center where he received excellent care, which his family will be ever grateful.
Rich is survived by his wife Marlys; children, Paul (Judy), Mountainview, Wyo., Bruce (Lisa), Dickinson, Pam, Spring Creek, Nev., Mike (Laura), Chester, Idaho, John (Cheryl), Killdeer, and Jim (Kim), Mountainview, Wyo.; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Dale “Oscar” (Shirley); brother-in-law, Roger Huffman; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean Huffman; infant son; and great-granddaughter, Alex Gracie.
Memorials are preferred to the Richard and Marlys Dolezal Athletic Scholarship Fund at Dickinson State University.
