Trending
Aug. 24, 1930-Feb. 18, 2021
Donald 'Don' Richard-
son, 90, Minot, died
peacefully Thursday, Feb.
18, 2021 at Benedict Liv-
ing Center in Garrison,
ND.
Donald D. Richardson
was born August 24, 1930
in Lansford, ND, one of
sixteen children to Ralph
and Lena Richardson. He
spent his youth in Lans-
ford and graduated from
Lansford High School in
1947 where the entire
basketball team consisted
of all nine Richardson
brothers. He furthered
his education at Minot
State College, completing
his bachelor's degree in
1951.
Don was united in mar-
riage to Lansford farm
girl, Marie McLean, on
September 4, 1949 at the
Lansford Methodist
Church. Their union was
blessed with a daughter,
Donna and a son, Dean
and over 71 wonderful
years of marriage.
They followed Don's
first job in education to
Stanley, ND where Don
taught history, coached
basketball and served as
Principal of the high
school for seven years.
The next five years were
spent between the towns
of Cando and Drake, ND
teaching and coaching. In
1963, they moved to
Minot where Don taught
at the new Jim Hill Junior
High School. Don kept
busy in the summers
working as a surveyor for
the local ASCS during his
teaching years. He retired
from teaching in 1970.
Don and Marie leased
the Phillip 66 Station on
college corner in Minot
for several years until Don
accepted a job with the
ND State Highway Depart-ment in Minot. He retired
as shop foreman after six-
teen years of service.
Don was a member Vin-
cent United Methodist
Church in Minot. They
enjoyed many North
Dakota summers camping
in their motorhome and
fishing at Lake Sakakawea
with friends. Campfires,
conversations, telling
stories and jokes and hav-
ing one of Don's famous
margaritas are treasured
memories.
Don and Marie were
avid basketball fans and
attended most Minot High
School and State College
games and rarely missed
watching professional
NBA games on TV. They
also supported the local
high school team in Mesa,
AZ while wintering there
the last 22 years. Players
enjoyed their attendance
and Don's helpful coach-
ing tips, even running up
a set of bleachers during
half-time to hand Don a
team T-shirt; giving Don
and Marie Free tickets to
the special game they
were going to play at the
college and inviting both
of them to their year-end
awards ceremony to show
their appreciation.
Daily golf games with
friends, games of bridge
and shuffleboard complet
ed warm, sunny after-
noons in Arizona. Don
will be missed for his
kindness and helpful
ways he showed everyone
in his life.
Don is survived by: his
devoted wife of 71 years,
Marie, of Minot; children
Donna Hess, Naples, FL
and Vail, CO in the sum-
mers and Dean Richard-
son (wife Ellen) Santa Fe,
NM; step grandson Beau
Dickson, TX; brothers
Robert Richardson, Beloit,
WI and Floyd Richardson,
Mandan, ND along with
numerous nieces and
nephews.
Don was preceded in
death by: his parents and
13 siblings.
A private, by invitation
only due to Covid, Cele-
bration of Don's life will
be held.
Book signing: Family
and friends are invited to
sign a memorial register
book on Tuesday, Febru-
ary 23, 2021 from 3:00
p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the
Thomas Family Funeral
Home located at 304 Main
Street, Minot.
Interment: Lansford
Community Cemetery,
Lansford, ND in the sum-
mer of 2021.
Memorials are preferred
to Vincent United Metho-
dist Church, Minot.
Favorite and fond
memories of Don and con-
dolences can be shared at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.