Memorial services for Alice Richards will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2014 at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale. The Rev. Randy Cirksena will officiate.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 27 from 5-8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Ellendale and one hour prior to the funeral service. Alice died at the age of 87 on Friday, August 22, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Albert Lea, surrounded by family and friends.
Alice (Ferguson) Richards was born January 30, 1927 to Harold and Sena (Skow) Ferguson at Naeve Hospital, Albert Lea. She grew up, attended school and lived her entire life in the Ellendale area. As a young girl, Alice spent her time helping on the farm and singing with her 6 sisters which they continued to do throughout their lives. Alice attended nurses training at Naeve Hospital where she received her RN. She worked at the Owatonna Hospital, Good Samaritan Nursing Home and Fountain Lake Treatment Center. Alice was an active member in her church and choir. She was involved in many volunteer organizations, especially AA and gave of her time freely to each one.She was united in marriage to Laurel (Dick) Richards on December 5, 1948 at the Methodist Church in Ellendale. Dick and Alice spent lots of time at their cabin in Longville, Minnesota where they enjoyed visiting for hours with family and friends. They also loved to travel and dance. Oh, how they loved to dance!
Alice will be remembered for many things but most of all for her joyful attitude and her love of people.
Her greatest joy was her family which includes her children; Dann (Sue) Richards of Geneva, David (Joyce) Richards of Albert Lea, Lauri (DeWayne) Jensen of Geneva; grandchildren; Tomm (Tara) Richards of Mankato, Brett (Jess) Richards of Albert Lea, Jena Thompson of Albert Lea, Brody (Katie) Richards of Albert Lea, Gretchen (LaShawn) Ray of Chicago and Abbey Jensen of Apple Valley; great-granchildren; Tristan, Taya, Torey and Tiegen Richards, Maxx and Maya Richards, Cole and Ethan Thompson, Jaxon, Griffyn and Ryker Richards, DaMarcus, Carson, Braxton and Brock Ray; 3 sisters; Anna (Fred) Foster, Mildred (Gerry) Flugum and Rosey (Eldon) Peterson; many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews, each very important to her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Richards, her parents, three sisters; Wanda (Fisher) Christiansen, Helen (Harry) Holmes, Beulah (C.Hency) Crabtree and many other loved ones.