Richard R. Meyer

RICHARD RALPH MEYER was born on August 4, 1928 to Ralph and Vivian (Hocking) Meyer at the hospital in Ellsworth, MN. He was raised on the farm northeast of Kanaranzi, MN. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended Magnolia High School in Magnolia, MN, where he graduated in 1946. Throughout his youth, Dick enjoyed playing basketball and football whenever he wasn’t helping out on the farm. Following his education he remained working on the farm. On April 20, 1950 Dick was united in marriage to Mary Catherine Dietrich at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne, MN. Following their marriage the couple lived in Luverne. Dick went to work for Rolph Construction for the next 15 years. The family then moved to Mary’s parents’ farm near Luverne and Dick operated the dairy operation. In 1989, the couple retired and moved back into town. Mary passed away on July 23, 1994. Dick continued to live in their home until moving to the City Centre Apartments in Luverne. In September of 2008, Dick became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. On Monday, November 21, 2011 Dick moved to the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage where he died on Monday, November 28, 2011, at the age of 83 years, 3 months and 25 days.

Dick was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne. In his younger years he was a big supporter of 4-H where he served as a 4-H dairy leader and was active as a coach and umpire in the 4-H Blue Mound Climbers softball games. During his earlier years he reserved Thursday evenings for the local Men’s Bowling League. He was an avid fan of all sports and enjoyed listening, watching and attending sporting events. Throughout his children’s lives Dick seldom missed one of their athletic events. As Dick’s grandchildren grew up he looked forward to attending all of their sporting events and loved spending time with them. He loved to watch, talk and playfully tease the grandchildren whenever an opportunity presented itself. Dick and Mary enjoyed dancing and playing pinochle in their card club group. Following his retirement, the couple liked traveling together. Dick also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, bird watching, and serving as a school crossing guard for several years. He was an avid reader and especially liked reading western stories. Dick was always ready to go out to eat as a favorite pastime. His family will remember their dad as a fun loving person that liked being a practical joker… and they will remember him for always being right and never wrong!

He is lovingly remembered by his seven children, Cheryl McGarthwaite and her husband Tom of Granite Falls, MN, Doug Meyer and his wife Connie of Greeley, KS, Joanie Meyer and her husband Al Stark of St. Cloud, MN, Don Meyer and his wife Lori of Sioux Falls, SD, David Meyer and his wife Vicky of Luverne, Dan Meyer of Mankato, MN, and Daryl Meyer and his wife Shakira of Lake Park, IA; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Dorothy Sherburne of Topeka, KS, Maxine Prahm of Slayton, MN, Gene Meyer and his wife Rosie of Willmar, MN, and Marilyn Munns and her husband Ron of Sun City, AZ; sister-in-law Rosemarie Loose and her husband David of Pipestone, MN; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents; and 5 siblings, Robert Meyer, Dallas Meyer, Joy Meyer, Betty Iveland and Pauline Hogue; and brother-in-law, Paul Dietrich.