Richard H. Dyrdahl
May 28, 1927 - March 17, 2011
Obituary
Richard Dyrdahl
Richard Dyrdahl was born May 28, 1936, in Oldham, South Dakota to parents, Lewis and Esther Johnson Dyrdahl. Richard was the third of three children born to this union with brother Robert being the firstborn and sister Alice the second.
Richard’s father was a South Dakota farmer and Richard grew up on the family farm outside Oldham. Life was simple and hard but it was a life shared by the gift and blessing of family and community. Richard was baptized as an infant and confirmed as a young adult at Oldham Lutheran Church. He grew up working on the farm but he also found time for hunting, fishing, trapping and playing sports at school with friends. Basketball and Baseball were his favorites.
Richard graduated from Oldham High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the Army. He became a sergeant and served in the Korean War.
One of people that Richard grew up with went to church and school with was a young woman by the name of Donna Merches. Richard took a shine to Donna and they were married, with family and friends surrounding them on January 26, 1951, at Oldham Lutheran Church.
In 1953, son Lewis Richard Lew, the first of three children was born. Son Chris Robert was born in 1955. Richard was discharged from the service in 1956 and then in 1957, daughter Kathryn Lee Kathy joined the family. All three of the children were born at the Renton, WA hospital.
Shortly after Kathy was born the family moved back to South Dakota, to Badger where Richard made a living and he and Donna raised the family. In 1965, Richard’s asthma forced the family to relocate – and they moved to back to Burien.
Richard found work as a carpenter with the Seattle School District where he worked until he retired in 1986 to care for Donna who had Parkinson’s.
During his work years and into retirement Richard always kept busy, especially with woodworking. He loved building – whether it was something big – like a house, or smaller, like a bookshelf or coffee table. Richard loved to work with wood and he shared that joy with his grandkids too – making things like stilts and skateboard hangers. Richard’s handiwork is present throughout Glendale Lutheran where he and the family were long time members.
Richard also enjoyed playing golf. He never lost the farmers love for the land as he would work in his garden; especially when it came to harvesting and making rhubarb sauce, plum sauce, planting raspberries and evergreens.
The family traveled back to South Dakota regularly to visit with family and friends. Richard could also enjoy just sitting on his porch and watching the planes take off and land at the nearby Sea Tac airport.
In the early 90’s, Richard had a mild stroke that set him back for a time but in his clear persistent way, Richard worked himself back to swinging a hammer.
In 1996, Donna, Richard’s wife of 45 years passed from complications related to Parkinson ‘s disease. She was deeply missed.
On September 9, 2001, Richard had just come out of a knee replacement surgery when he experienced a heart attack. Recognizing what was happening, they wheeled him back into surgery and completed a 5 way bypass and heart value replacement. and there were some chuckles for this So. Dakota farm-boy – it was a pig value. Once again Richard had to slow down, but not for long. He was always offering to help someone out with a project.
Kathy gave Richard a wonderful gift – a Jack Russell Terrier, named Tonka. Richard and Tonka became companions and best buds. Tonka was a smart little dog and Richard found it hard to deny him a treat. He even had to keep his own treats in the car because Tonka was so good at figuring everything out.
In 2008, Richard experienced an overall decline in his health. He knew it was and choose to stop driving. However, Richard was not going to sit down if he didn’t have to do so. He still enjoyed going to breakfast at McDonalds with Lew and using the cash receipt to help him remember what day it was. In December 2009 Richard needed more support and moved to assisted living on Ambaum.
His overall health continued to decline. After a stay in the hospital and a Rehab Center he moved to Bonney Lake Adult Family Home, March 17, 2010. It was there, with his family surrounding him in his last days that Richard quietly and peacefully passed from this life to the next on March 17, 2011.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, sister Alice and wife Donna. He is survived by his brother, Bob and wife Norma of Burien WA, sister in law Hope Fuglsby of Snohomish, sons; Lew of Burien WA, Chris and wife Jeanine, of Enumclaw WA, daughter Kathy of Milton WA and by six grandchildren, four great grandchildren, as well as a large extended family including many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Richard was greatly loved in life and will be greatly missed in death. God bless the memory of Richard Dyrdahl.
one the of best uncles i ever had..as a little girl i used to love going to my aunt donna and uncle riches with my grandma alice. uncle rich would always take me in the backyard and cut rubharb for pie..yum yum. great times and fun memories..xoxo kimberlie
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our long time and beloved friend, Richard. Our deepest sympathy to all his family.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. He was a wonderful person. He will be missed.
Sincerely, Jeanette Turner, Tony Turner, Ted Turner and Tammy Turner Obermeit
Lew, Chris and Kathy and family,
All of you have my sympathy. Richard was such a wonderful husband, father and friend to so many people. I will remember him for his caring spirit and devotion to Donna and all of his family.
I am so glad that I have a memento that Richard made from a walnut tree that stood in the Merches’ yard near Oldham. He will be missed and remembered fondly.
Lew, Chris, Kathy and family,
After reading all of the entries in this guestbook, I don’t know what more I could say about Uncle Richard. He was the best! He was so kind, caring, considerate and giving! Always doing for others! He was always willing to pitch in to help whatever came up. He was a very hard worker, but always made time for his family and friends. He shared his love for baseball, farming, fishing, hunting and animals with his family. His devotion to Donna and his family is a wonderful example for all of us. He and Aunt Donna were my Godparents and I feel truly Blessed to have had them as such a big part of my life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you all, Kendra
My late husband, Glen, was Richard’s cousin. Richard married my youngest sister, Donna. Richard and Donna both were very special and a great example for all of us. Their church, Glendale Lutheran, was very important to both Donna and Richard. Richard spent countless hours working on and at the church. Even when Donna was ill before she died she enjoyed delivering flowers to the shut-ins after church.
I remember that early in November after both Glen and Richard had retired, Donna and Rich came to visit us in Cheney. The men were going to spend a few days playing golf. The first morning it was snowing. I thought they would be so disappointed but Richard looked at the brighter side. Glen was building a sunroom onto our home. Richard couldn’t wait to help put the ceiling on in that room. Their golfing days were spent doing the ceiling. Richard enjoyed building as much as playing golf. It’s comforting to have our memories.
God bless!
Hope Merches Fuglsby
I first knew Richard and Donna double dating with Bob and I at some S.Dakota State College basketball tournaments. Bob and Richard both told such wild things that happened on the play that neither Donna and I had seen. They were entertaining themselves and us girls to keep it interesting.
Bob came back from six months at his job at Boeing in Seattle and we were married in December and then headed back to work in Seattle.
The rest of our married years were as sister and brother-in-laws with holidays. All of their children and ours grew up together and to this day all remain in the Seattle area within 1.5 hours. Many good times were had by all. It will be lonesome without Richard to go and visit. For the last year he lived in an Adult Family Home in Bonney Lake and the caretakers treated us all as family.
Richard was a wonderful uncle. I really enjoyed our visit last year. I know you will miss him, but you will always have wonderful memories.
Lew, Chris, Kathy, and families. I have so many great memories of Uncle Richard. The times at your farm on Lake Thisted always included a walk down to the shore or the bridge, dreaming of catching “the big one”. Your dad made so many trips to our farm in 1963&64 helping to build the house we live in. He worked so hard, but always seemed to have the time to organize a ball game on our lawn with dads and kids. We were amazed at his athletic skills, but he always focused on helping us kids. During pheasant hunts, or shooting clay pigeons, he was a crack shot. But always oh so humble! His life was lived in the way that he always put others ahead of himself. What an example for us all! We couldn’t count the hours he has spent helping friends and family with home improvement or building projects. He was always helping others! You all are, and will be, in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Take care, and God bless, Joel and Peggy Schneider and family
We will miss Richard! We have enjoyed the family get-togethers over the years and will always remember his warm smile and kind words to all.
My best memories of Uncle Richard include your mother, as well, at their home in Seattle. Together they made everyone feel welcome and special. There was always great food, activities, love and laughter. Your parents were a tribute to what a good marriage was and they were both a tremendous example for us all. Richard so very much loved, respected and treasured his beloved Donna. His devotion to family was amazing and he was always helping others. We were all blessed to be part of his life.
Daddy..I am missing you.
Dear Kathy, Lew and Chris and families,
I was filled with great sadness when I heard of the loss of your dad. He was such a wonderful man! Kind, gentle and peaceful comes to mind but always quick with a joke. Growing up, your dad and mom were very special people to me and so I will always keep fond memories of them in my heart. Kath, do you remember a poem your dad wrote and left behind one morning after Kitty and I had spent the night on floor at your house? Started like:
Sleeping beauties on the bed and floor
I hope you awake when I slam the door…
Of course he didn’t slam the door because he was kind and gentle. He was always busy making things like the dog house – the one that hung in your kitchen– I always loved the doghouse but never too busy to share a thought or a cup of coffee!
He was a special man who was loved by many and will be missed by many!
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all!
I love you all!
Do hope that Richard had the quiet and peaceful passing that he deserved. He was such a very dear friend to my husband, Bob. I can remember the times that he came to visit us in our homes in the Twin Cities. Bet he and Bob already have the basketball bouncing up above. My sympathy to all of you, family, on your loss. He was a great guy! Hugs from Joy Christensen
Richard was my great-uncle. He and my grandfather were cousins and best friends.
I worked at a golf course and a few times Richard and Grandpa came to play with me. I could get us free rounds of golf and they both really loved that. Grandpa played a lot of golf and practiced hard. Richard did not play so much. But somehow, Richard won EVERY TIME. Grandpa was pretty frustrated by that, but he told me that it had always been that way since they were kids. Richard was the natural athlete in the family. Richard beat me too…
Of course I will always remember Richard mostly for his warmth, kindness and gentle nature.
We have very fond memories of your father, he is responsible for us having this farm, and we have had many good years here. Know that you are always welcome to come and visit, I remember how you kids embarassed your folks the first time you came to see your old rooms. We remember the experience as a wonderful day. You have our deepest sympathy. God bless Richard’s memory to all of you.
Dear Lewie, Chris, Kathy and family: I have fond memories of your Mom and Dad and you all over at L. Thisted…of us kids playing, especially when Mike & I would walk over to Thisted to fish, and the kitchen cabinets Richard put in for mom. It was a sad day for us when you moved out to Seattle but a sadder one today as I discovered this year-old announcement, and you have my deepest sympathy. By the way, I still have a very small baseball bat that belongs to one of you. You can reach me at cepjr47@gmail.com if you wish…
Charley