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Elmer M. Richwalski • 1914 - 2003 Elmer M Richwalski, 88, Kenmare, died Thursday, August 28, 2003, in a Minot hospital. Elmer was born to John and Clara (Schultz) Richwalski in Omemee, North Dakota on September 13, 1914. The family later lived and farmed in Oak Creek Township near Gardena, North Dakota. He attended the Nehring country school just a half mile from his home. He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps in North Dakota during the 1930's. Elmer entered the Army in 1941 and after training served as a heavy equipment operator with one of the engineering units that built the military road in 1942 that built the ALCAN highway. He was then transferred to the 971st Engineering Maintenance Company, which came ashore at France on the second day of the American invasion of Europe. Elmer married Gertie Gunderson Tollefson October 16, 1948. Together they raised Gertie's two children from a previous marriage. Gertie died in 1975, and Elmer married Evinda Gunderson Wirkkanen on May 15, 1976. Evinda died in June 2003. After his discharge from the Army, Elmer worked as a mechanic, heavy equipment operator, and game warden for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at several locations in North Dakota and Wisconsin before being located at the Des Lacs Refuge in Kenmare. He retired in 1974. Elmer enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. Always ingenious at devising ways to fix anything or build whatever was needed, he turned his skill into a retirement passion for woodworking. He could see a piece of furniture he liked, take a few measurements, make a free-hand drawing, and then make a duplicate without benefit of a pattern. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Gertie; his second wife, Evinda; a step-daughter, Darlene Tollefson Greman; a step-son, Leroy Tollefson; and a step-grandson, Steven Greman. He is survived by his brother, Walter Richwalski; his sister, Helen Richwalski Beckman; two step-grandsons; a step-granddaughter; and two nieces. The funeral service will be Wednesday, September 3
at 1:00 PM at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Kenmare. Visitation
will be at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Kenmare on Tuesday,
September 2, 2003, from 2:00 - 7:00 PM and one hour before the
service at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Burial, Sandhill Cemetery,
Climax, MN. Music Honorary Bearer: Vick Briscoe Active Bearers: Allen McGuire , George Nickelson ,
Arlan Gartner, Kenny Greman, Flag Presentation: Members of the Kenmare American Legion |