Richard Mauch

Richard L. Mauch, 91, Chokio, MN, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, MN.

Funeral services were Tuesday, June 24, at 1:30 p.m. at Artichoke Lake Baptist Church in rural Chokio, with Rev. Bob Gravely and Pastor Nate Roschen officiating. Music was provided by pianist Jeanne Jorgenson, and organist Barb Maas.

Burial was in the Artichoke Lake Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Charles Hervin, Paul Fremling, Jeff Ray, Rick Dobrowolski, Harvey Burmeister, and Jonathan Cummings.

Visitation was Monday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation continued Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. The Eggers Funeral Home of Rosholt, SD was in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Leon Mauch was born on February 19, 1923, in Millboro, SD, to Edward and Elsie (Faatz) Mauch, the fifth child in a family of 11 children. He spent his early years in South Dakota and moved to Minnesota when he was 16. He attended school in Chokio where he finished three years of high school before he was needed on the farm. His family farmed near Chokio, MN, for many years.

Richard met Dolores Nilson in 1944 while working for her father as a hired hand. Dolores and Richard were married on November 27, 1945, at the Artichoke Lake Baptist Church parsonage while he was on furlough before he went overseas during WWII. He was a mechanic and truck driver with the occupation forces in Germany and Italy. When he returned home after the war, he worked as an auto mechanic in Chokio and Elbow Lake, and he also owned his own shop in Clinton. He took over the family farm in 1950 and continued farming until 1985. After that he and Dolores started crafting: Richard making tire doormats, and Dolores making stuffed animals. They still live on the farm home place.

Richard also served on the Moonshine Township board for 29 years. He and Dolores were honored in March 2014 for 35 years as rain gauge monitors by the Department of Natural Resources.

Richard accepted Christ when he was a teenager after a visit from a pastor who confronted him whether he knew the Lord as his Savior. Several members of his family were baptized on the same day in Artichoke Lake. He has served faithfully at Artichoke Lake Baptist Church as a deacon and other officers since the 1960's. He was part of the Gideon International for many years. He has been a faithful husband, a loving father and grandfather, and has given us a godly heritage for which we are very grateful.

Survivors include his wife Dolores Linea Mauch of Chokio; children, Susan Linnea Huetter of Adrian, MI, and Jeanine Elin (Kimball) Cummings of Corcoran, MN; grandchildren, Charlene (Jeff) Ray, Dawn (Doug) McGee, Paul Fremling, Jennifer (Charles) Hervin, Kristin (Richard) Dobrowolski, and Jonathan (Lacey) Cummings; great-grandchildren, Nicole and Kendra Williams, Tala and Conner McGee, Isabelle and Jack Fremling, Taylor and Anna Cummings, and Jenna and Owen Dobrowolski; brothers, Ervine Mauch of Rockford, IL, and Edwin (Ruth) Mauch of Dundas, Ontario, Canada; sisters Edith Black of Portland, OR, and Edna Hansen of Isanti, MN; brother-in-law, Don Riley of Chokio; sister-in-law, Jean Mauch of Chokio; step- grandchildren, Shelly (Chris) Beers, and Sue (Bill) Stager; and step-great grandchildren, Kristin and Kelsie Krummery, and Ann and Amanda Beers.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elsie Mauch; five sisters, Esther (Anton) Budicin, Margreat (Paul) Ruwe, Martha (Arch) Burmeister, Lydia (Bill) Nash, and Lois Riley; and one brother, Alvin Mauch; sister-in-law Isabelle Mauch; brothers-in-law, Roy Black and Harold Hansen; and son-in-law Glenn Huetter.