Richard "Rich" Haaland

Richard “Rich” Leslie Haaland, 75, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2021 at 11:11 pm with family by his side in his home in Fargo, ND. Rich was born on April 1, 1946 in Sisseton, South Dakota to Milton and Agnes (Stave) Haaland. He grew up in the Webster, SD area until his family moved near Horace, ND in the early 60s. Rich graduated in 1964 from West Fargo High School and enlisted in the United States Army. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Janice Sauvageau on April 17, 1965 at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. Rich was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany until 1967. At that time, he and Janice returned to Fargo. They had three children, Richard Jr., Troy, and Jodie. Rich worked in sales for many years and continued on after retirement in a part time role with Preference Personnel which he enjoyed. Rich loved any and all woodworking projects and it showed. Everything that he made was made to last an entire lifetime. His motto was, “Build it to last or don’t do it at all.” He enjoyed hunting in his younger years and fishing with his son, Troy, in his retirement. Rich had the opportunity to travel to Europe and visit his ancestor’s homeland of Norway with Janice. They also traveled to Mexico and Belize during their retirement. He enjoyed anything to do with history. He was an avid reader and would read anything from the encyclopedias (from A-Z) to National Geographic articles to long novels. He especially loved reading materials on past wars. Rich also found great joy in playing his guitar, singing, and composing songs. He was a member of the AMVETS, DAV, American Legion and Sons of Norway, and he was a volunteer at the VA Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Troy; and his favorite daughter, Jodie; special family caregiver and friend, Missy Moran; grandchildren, Cole, Seth (Emily), Lincoln, and Freya; great-grandchildren, Liam and Kaiden; brothers, Milton (Margaret), James (Victoria), Gary (Jan) and Roger (Rose); sisters-in-law, Arlene Burnham, Chris Sauvageau, Joanne Haaland; and brother-in-law, Randall Pederson. Rich was preceded in death by his son, Rick; parents, Milton and Agnes; brothers, Ronald, Elroy; sister, Amy Pederson; in-laws, Lionel and Jeannette Sauvageau; brothers-in-law, Dale and David Sauvageau and Robert Burnham.