Richard E. Tesdahl

Richard Tesdahl, 94, of Clarion passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.

Memorial services for Richard Tesdahl will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, 420 First Street Northwest in Clarion.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, July 6, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Richard Eugene Tesdahl was born to Henry and Anna (Larson) Tesdahl in rural Wright County into a Norwegian family with three older sisters. When he was two years old, his mother was killed by a freak storm and his sister Alvina became his second mother. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Clarion.

He graduated from Clarion High School in 1942 and attended Luther College for a time. He returned to Wright County and farmed first with his father, later on his own, and then with his son Allen.

In 1945, Richard married Elaine Engh. Together, they raised five children. He was very proud of his children. Richard loved a good story and tried to find humor in every situation.

Richard loved horses and auctions. He loved matching horses into teams. In his later years he found, matched, trained, and sold teams to Wells Fargo for their stage coaches. During the summer you would find him in a parade most Saturdays.

Richard was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher, a trustee, and loved singing hymns. He enjoyed big band music and loved to dance.

Richard is survived by his wife Elaine of 72 years; his son Allen (Mary) Tesdahl and daughters Janet (Don) Wendt, Nancy Tesdahl, Caren (Glenn) Nemec, and Kay (Mark) Maffitt; 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s name may be made to the First Lutheran Church in Clarion.