Richard Fredrick Blomquist

May 6, 1933 - May 26, 2021

Richard Blomquist passed away on 5/26/21, quietly and peacefully surrounded by his children during a prayer by his pastor.

Richard was a kind and gentle man, filled with wisdom.  His love of Jesus made him the man he was. He mentored many and his capacity for love was truly unending.  Richard traveled to Honduras twice on a mission trip with his church, simply wanting to help. He was an amazing father and always had an answer for his grandchildren's questions, and if he didn't know, he'd make one up that was almost believable. He instilled a strong sense of timeliness in his family resulting in some arriving hours early. He led a healthy life and even ran in a marathon to celebrate his 50th birthday. Richard was hospitalized once at age 13 for appendicitis and not again until 2019 when he suffered a slight but acute stroke.  He was diagnosed with Parkinsons and was diligent about physical therapy. He survived a round of Covid but lost the love of his life to complications from the virus. And now complications from this illness have taken him too.

Richard was born in Detroit Lakes to Bernhard and Alice Blomquist. Preceded in death by his parents, his wife Veryl, his siblings Barbara and David, and granddaughter Gina Rae. Survived by his children, Kathi (Ken Rowe) , Kristin, Richard (Patty) and Karine (Jason Ruis); grandchildren David and Kate Resch, Rachel (Scott Grimes), Michael Dicks, Megan and Joe Blomquist, and Jordan, Jaida and Kadyn Ruis.  Great-grandchildren Hayley and McKenna Dicks and Eliana Grimes.

Richard graduated from Detroit Lakes HS in 1951 and UMN in 1955 where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. There he met Veryl Reierson and they married in December 1955. They had 65 years together and for their 50th anniversary took the entire family to Hawaii to celebrate.

Richard had various jobs throughout his life and was very proud of being selected to be the Manager of Government Truck Sales for International Harvester in DC.  He opened his own dealership in Anoka in the 70's and then sold real estate until retiring.

He was two term mayor of Anoka ('78-'82), and was very active in the community which included a 45 year membership in Kiwanis as well as involvement in Anoka Covenant Church and Campus Crusade.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Anoka Covenant Church for both Richard and his wife Veryl on Thursday, June 3 rd at 11am, with a time of visitation 1 hour prior to the service. The service will also be available to be viewed via live stream through the Anoka Covenant Church website (www.anokachurch.org). Private interment at Lakewood Cemetery immediately following the service. A very special thanks to the caring staff at Walker Methodist Plaza in Anoka.  Memorials preferred to Anoka Covenant Church.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to: Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home - Anoka, 763-421-0220 - www.thurston-lindberg.com