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Richard Rekedal

Dec. 22, 1941-Feb. 21, 2017

MARSHALL — Services for Richard “Rick” Rekedal, 75, of Marshall and formerly of Cottonwood, are 11 a.m. Monday at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall. Following a reception, burial will be in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Cottonwood. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. The family invites attendees to the church basement for a reception following the memorial service. Military honors are by Cottonwood American Legion, Post 503. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall or to Alzheimer’s Foundation (www.alzfdn.org, click on donate). Arrangements are with Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.

He died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall.

Richard “Rick” Allan Rekedal was born Dec. 22, 1941, in Vesta. He was the oldest of five sons born to Ralph and Lorayne (Melling) Rekedal and grew up on a farm near Cottonwood. Rick’s father passed away when he was 14, after which he took on the role of helping to support his mother. He continued to dote on her for the rest of her life. He attended school in Cottonwood through high school before joining the United States Air Force, serving as Air Force Police at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Rick served from September of 1960 until his honorable discharge on Oct. 2, 1964. Rick spent a few years in Ohio before returning to Minnesota to farm and then run Rick’s Electric in Cottonwood.

On Jan. 2, 1977, Rick was married to Charlotte Bottcher at Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church in Cottonwood. The couple made their home in Cottonwood and blended their families to include 4 children: Jamie, Leslie, Missy, and Susan. Rick spent the last 13 years before retirement serving as the superintendent of groundskeeping at the Cottonwood Country Club. During that time, he also drove limousine for Martin White Knight LimoService, and was a favorite of customers for his spunk and wit. Rick retired in 2003 at the age of 62.

Rick was very active in the Cottonwood community, having served as a commander and chaplain of the American Legion, president of the Lions Club, member of the fire department, president of the ambulance, and sat for eight years on the Cottonwood City Council. He was currently a member of Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall.

Rick was a generous and hardworking man. He enjoyed countless hours driving the links on his John Deere, and was passionate about golf. Many people remember seeing him out on the course wearing his knickers and argyle socks. He also enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and water skiing. Many benefited from his green thumb and love of gardening. He enjoyed the lutefisk dinner, making his “real” potato lefse, drinking coffee and rolling dice at the local café, and sharing stories with friends. He loved to tell people he was literally born in a chicken coop. More than anything Rick loved being a grandpa. His grandchildren fondly remember how Grandpa always had Dum-Dum suckers for them and their dogs every time he would visit.

Rick is survived by his wife, Charlotte Rekedal of Cottonwood; children, Jaime (Rachel) Rekedal of Marshall, Leslie (Brian) Hart of Marshall, Missy (Tim) Ahlers of Watertown, S.D., Susan (Lance) Withey of Round Rock, Texas; 13 grandchildren: Spencer, Levi, and Logan Rekedal, Adam and Marah Hart, Mason, Sydney, and Regan Ahlers, Matthew, David, Dylan, Lena and Courtland Withey; brothers: Bob (Lila) of Willmar, Dennis of Spicer, Steve (Bev) of White Bear Lake and Jerry of Eden Prairie; numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lorayne Rekedal; parents-in-law, Arthur and Alice Bottcher; and many aunts and uncles.

Arrangements are by

Hamilton Funeral Home

Marshall, Minnesota

507-532-2933