Richard Wicklund

Richard James Wicklund, 79, of Fergus Falls, MN died Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, due to natural causes and organ failure.

Richard James Wicklund was born September 15, 1943 in Fergus Falls and was raised on the family farm near Pickerel Lake in Maine Township, rural Battle Lake. He was the fifth of five children born to John and Mary (Hunter) Wicklund. He was baptized and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor. Growing up on the farm, Richard and his brothers, Darrell and Ken, learned to work hard and play hard. Richard also spent time with his mother, learning to cook. Richard was an excellent cook and baker. A typical farm boy, he enjoyed all outdoor activities. Richard attended country school in Amor Township. He graduated from Battle Lake High School. Shortly after graduation, Richard enlisted in the Army, serving, over in Germany for most of his time.

Richard married Sue and moved to Minneapolis. He spent most of his career driving truck. Richard and Sue had no children, and after 43 years of marriage, Sue passed. Richard met his second wife, Gayle and the two married. They relocated to Fergus Falls and began to spend time with family.

He really enjoyed summers when Ken would come back home from Colorado, and Richard would park his mobile home on the shores of Pickerel Lake. Where Darrell, Ken, and Richard could tell tales of growing up on the family farm.

Richard and Gayle joined Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, where he continued to meet family and friends from his younger years. Richard enjoyed mowing his lawn at home and helping out at the lake shore, at one time he had three zero turn lawn mowers. He would fill them with gas and start mowing, when he got low on gas in one, he would just get another one, until the lawn was mowed.

Richard is survived by his wife, Gayle of Fergus Falls; stepchildren, William (Missy) Kloster and Kathleen Kloster; brother, Darrell (Judith) Wicklund of Battle Lake and many nieces and nephews as well as cousins. Preceding him in death were his wife, Sue; brothers, Ken Wicklund and Eugene Wicklund; a sister, Helen Barry, and his parents, John and Mary Wicklund.

Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2023 at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service.
Clergy: Reverend Doug Staave
Private Interment: Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Amor, MN in the spring of 2023
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com