Richard "Dick" Middleton

RICHARD 'DICK' MIDDLETON was born on August 12, 1939 to Howard and Lola (Thompson) Middleton in Watertown, South Dakota. He was raised near Watertown and Estelline, South Dakota where he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He received his education in Estelline before moving with his family to St. Paul, Minnesota. At the age of 17, Dick enlisted into the US Air Force and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. Through friends, Dick met Janice Ellsworth whom he married on August 16, 1958 in Great Falls. Following their marriage, they made their home in St. Paul. After a few short moves, they made their permanent home in 1969 in Grand Forks, North Dakota where they raised their family. Upon moving to Grand Forks, he became employed by Anderson Builders until 1971 when he started his own business “Middleton Decorating”. After 41 years, they retired and moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where he died on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 18 days.

Dick was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He enjoyed bowling and was a member of two bowling teams. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting pheasants, and playing cards. He loved working in his flower and vegetable gardens. He especially loved traveling which included road trips, wild scenic routes, making it to many of the states, and his favorite trips were to visit their grandchildren.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice Middleton of Pipestone, Minnesota; six children, Rick Middleton of Pace, Florida, Randy Middleton and his wife Mary of Center, North Dakota, Jamie Warholic of Naugatuck, Connecticut, Jerry Middleton of Bismark, North Dakota, Sherry Stauss and her husband Brad of Grand Forks, North Dakota and Shelly Holum and her husband Scott of Holmen, Wisconsin; 20 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and four siblings, Darlene Allen of Watertown, South Dakota, Judy Carsley and her husband Les of Newberg, Oregon, Karen Yager and her husband Lee of Madison, South Dakota and Fred Middleton of Ervine, California. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Kolby Stauss; his parents; and two brothers, Jerry and David.