Richard Wessling

Richard David Wessling, 83, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Tuesday evening, September 3, 2024, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. 

Richard was born March 20,1941 in Mapleton, Iowa to Lawrence and Margaret (Willson) Wessling. He grew up in Mapleton, attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Mapleton High School. 

He started working early in his life; he had a paper route, delivered milk, worked as a pool lifeguard, and later sold shoes in a local shoe store. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. 

He married Barbara Lindroth on September 9, 1972, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Warren, MN. 

After their marriage, they lived in Fargo, ND and Dick worked in sales, first for Rexall Drug and then Coty. In 1977, they moved to Grand Forks, and he started working at Big “O” Foods in Oslo, MN selling potatoes and helping manage the potato wash plant processing spuds to sell to customers throughout the United States. 

Dick was a member of the Oslo Lions Club. He took immense pride in his service with the Lions Club. He held many local and district offices over the years. In 1991-1992 he became District Governor of 5M-11. He made many life-long friends with the Lions. He and Barbara traveled with the 5M governors to Australia and Hong Kong to attend conventions, along with attending several in the United States with the group. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors from Lion’s International. 

As a member of the American Legion Post 157 in East Grand Forks, he took an active part, becoming commander for two years and serving in other offices both locally and with the Ninth District. He enjoyed volunteering with the “kitchen crew” at the Legion, cooking and serving Monday and Wednesday suppers for many years, along with other special meals and the yearly corn feeds. He was a proud member of the Honor Guard and the recognition they gave veterans upon their death. 

His favorite interests included golfing (he was proud of the hole in one he made at the Larimore Golf Course), traveling, fishing at Morson, Ontario during the summer, motorcycles, and corvettes. 

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara; children, Jon (Erin) Wessling of Wayzata, MN, Chris Wessling of Grand Forks, ND, Melia Thompson of Springfield, MO; grandchildren Jacob Wessling, Sophia Wessling, Tara Smith, Eric Smith and Joshua Robinson; sisters, Cheryl (Edwin) O’Connor and Kathleen Loomis; sisters-in-law, Catherine Wessling and Lora Wessling. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marni Pharis-Shrum; grand-daughter Jennifer Winslow; siblings, Jerald Wessling, James Wessling, Keith (Mary) Wessling, Denise Wessling, and Jean Carmichael.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks. The funeral service will be lived streamed on https://calvarygf.org/ 
 Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service at the church. 
Burial will be held in Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, Minnesota.