Richard Elless
November 23, 1931 ~ November 12, 2023
Born in:
Staples, Minnesota
Resided in:
West Fargo, North Dakota
Richard Elless, 91, West Fargo, ND passed away on November 12, 2023 at Bethany on 42nd.
Richard was born to Robert and Marian Elless in Staples, MN on November 23, 1931. He attended school in Brainerd, MN obtaining his GED in the Air Force. He married Clara Stefano on August 20, 1951 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby, Minnesota. He joined the Air Force in 1949.After basic training in Texas he was assigned to Walker AFB, New Mexico before transferred to Japan to support in the Korean War. After completion of his tour he was assigned to bases in Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Hawaii, Wyoming, North Dakota and Germany. During his 21 year career with the Air Force, he worked in aircraft sheet metal and trained in Missle safety which included nuclear, ground and explosive safety and accident investigations. He retired from the Air Force in June 1970. He settled with his family in West Fargo, ND. He was employed by Home Insurance and Employer’s Mutual of Iowa as a safety inspector until his retirement in 2002. He was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and a proud 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and the Men of the Cross. He loved his family, fishing, hunting, reading, the Twins, Vikings and Bison, and was a devoted husband and father. He had a strong faith that he shared with his family. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Clare; five children, Debra Elless, West Fargo; Rick (Ginger) Elless, West Fargo; Michael Elless, Okemos, MI; Judy Elless, West Fargo; Dr. Mark (Dr. Margaret Kasim) Elless, Leesburg, VA.; 3 grandchildren, 3 great granddaughters, 2 great-grandson, 3 sisters-in-law, Joan Stefano Crosby, MN; Helen (Gery) Thielen, Waite Park, MN; Patricia Kuklok, Becker, MN; 1 brother-in-law, Leonard (Patty) Stefano, Indianapolis, IN., and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tari Heller, parents, Robert and Marian Elless, 2 brothers, George and Al, and a sister, Agnes. Richard loved God, family and country. Heaven has gained a treasure. The family would like to thank the staff of Bethany on 42nd and Ethos Hospice for the care they gave him.
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Services
Funeral Mass - Friday: November 17, 2023 2:00 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo
2711 7th St E
West Fargo, ND 58078
(701) 282-7217
https://holycrosswestfargo.com/
Visitation - Friday: November 17, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo
2711 7th St E
West Fargo, ND 58078
(701) 282-7217
https://holycrosswestfargo.com/
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No more confusion for Richard. PRAISE GOD!!!
I just wanted to say a few things from my heart to all of you. Uncle Richard Was a VERY good man…he led me so far in my life. His example in faith, family, community and MOST of all LOVE is untarnished. Who can say in their life that they have led with confidence, humility and lack of failure in so many ways. From those cowboy boots to his smile, your beautiful husband, father and my Godfather will always be an example of how to be a man…a man of faith…a man of family…a man of community. Today I wept tears of disappointment…sadness…and joy. Disappointment because I failed to get there before today…It is my fault not my aunt’s fault that my face was unfamiliar…it is mine…Sadness because I selfishly wish I had more time with him and all of you. ..Joy because I know I’ll see him again and he is with my dad tonight…and his boots have never been shiner…I love you all. I will not let this day fail to teach me. Family is IMPORTANT…TAKE TIME OUT OF LIFE…BEFORE LIFE IS OUT OF TIME. GOD BLESS