Richard Straight

Richard Leroy Straight, 83, passed away on October 4, 2024, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he and his wife Bonnie have lived for the last 7 years.

Richard (Rich) was born on January 4, 1941, to Francis L. & Mary T. (Poe) Straight in Abilene, KS, the oldest of three children. He attended and graduated from Abilene High School with the Class of 1959. His class was the first to attend all four years in the newly built high school. 

Rich was an avid runner in high school and very invested in track. He also played football. After graduation, he went on to play football at Westmar College, in Le Mars, Iowa. With college behind him, he enlisted in the US Army, being Honorably Discharged from Ft Devens, Massachusetts in 1964.

Rich met the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Reeser, when he decided to go back to school, enrolling at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. It was a whirlwind romance, and they were married on August 12, 1966, in Fergus Falls, MN.

They moved around because of jobs, but the constant in their lives has always been their love for their Lord, and even though they had jobs they enjoyed, they were led to volunteer at the Christian Language Institute in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Rich loved interacting with the students and encouraged their participation in sports, like basketball. This was an eye-opening experience for them. They loved the students, saw a bright future for the growth of Lithuanian Democracy and Christianity, and felt there was more they could do to help in that exciting endeavor. They came back to the states for Bonnie to go back to school. As a Doctoral graduate, they again headed to Klaipeda. This time as staff, Bonnie could assist the Language Institute; to petition, make the needed changes, and fill out all the documentation to become an accredited University. The Institute is now the Lithuania Christian College (LCC), International University. The couple enjoyed several years of service at LCC in Lithuania, but because of challenging health issues, in 2008 they came back to the states, to settle down in Minnesota. They found a church home when they joined the Cornerstone congregation.

Preceding Rich in death were sister, Linda (1954), father, Francis (1993), and mother, Mary (2005), who are all buried in the Abilene (KS) Cemetery. 

Survivors include wife, Bonnie of Fergus Falls, MN; brother, Ron (Jennie) Straight of Hays, KS, along with nephews, Dane (Alycia) Straight of Lindsborg, KS and Brett Straight of Gorham, KS; great nieces, Jessica Straight of Atwood, KS and Claire; great nephew, Levi of Lindsborg; sisters-in-law, Kelly Dossett, Kitty (Paul) Rund, Lee (Lee) Meyers and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial service will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Fergus Falls, MN
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Pastor Eric Uggerud

Military participation: Fergus Falls V.F.W. Post 612 and American Legion Post 30.

Interment: Lawrence Presbyterian Cemetery at a later date

Assistance provided by the Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls. 

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com