Richard Vondal

Minot

Richard Vondal, 79, Minot, ND, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023, at home with his loving family at his side.

Richard Allan Vondal was born on April 22, 1943, the second of nine children born to Adelard and Viola (Olson) Vondal. He was raised on the family farm near Walhalla, North Dakota. Richard had a knack of entertaining you with stories of growing up on the farm, and the many pranks he pulled on everybody. Some of his favorite stores were of riding his horse “Toots” to school, skipping school, rolling his old chevy sedan while sitting on a couch cushion at the age of 13, and the many, many deer hunting stories.

Richard quit school at the age of 14 before going to Iowa in 1959 to work with Johnson Construction. In 1963 he attended Barber School in Fargo, graduating in 1964. He later moved to Harvey, ND, and purchased the Texaco Station. It was there he met Sharon Kay Schmitz and was united in marriage in 1965. They moved to Minot where they started their family having their first child in 1966.

Richard ran the barbershop at Ruthville and later took over the Minot Air Force Base barber shop. During this time period is when Richard found the love of dirt track racing at the Nodak Speedway, driving #147 a 55Chevy car until 1972. After his retirement from driving, he continued to support his love of dirt track racing by sponsoring other cars and always helping other drivers until his son Rick followed in his footsteps to start racing cars, and later to follow his granddaughter Kadi.

Richard started Quik Lube and Oil with his business partners uncle Alvin Olson and Marshall Denny in 1978. He later bought out his business partners and his son joined him in the business who is still running the business today. Richard retired in 1992 to take care of his wife Sharon before her passing in 1994.

Richard married Janet Emerick in December of 2000. They enjoyed summers at the family cabin in Walhalla with the grandkids and winters in Salome AZ.

Richard always put family first, he enjoyed square dancing, woodworking, hunting, fishing, and wrenching on anything.

His loving family includes:

children, Krisit (Mike) Momerak, Fargo, ND, Rick (Tricia) Vondal, Minot, Corrine Vondal, Minot, Lynette Vondal, Minot, grandchildren, Stuart Mankin, Brittany Westerman, Dustin Westerman, Kadi (Jason) Ruby, Alexis (Quincy) Rohach, Lukas Vondal, Lacey (Bryce) Westphal, Melissa (Jake) Greeman, Trevor Weaver, Caleb Schmutzler, and Garret Schmutzler, great-grandchildren, Braxton Westerman, Ellie Ruby, Maverick Ruby, Cora Rohach, Lyrah Thorson, Cadence Greeman, Hadley Westphal, Parker Greeman, Liam Schmutzler, brother, Jim (Donna) Vondal, Cando, sister, Joan (Lloyd) Hoffarth, Lakota, Barbara (Loren) Christianson, Langdon, Roxie (Allen) Horsley, Neche, Valerie Gordon, Detroit Lakes, MN, Susan (Brian) Danielson, Langdon, sister-in-law Carol Vondal and numerous nieces, nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; wives Sharon (Schmitz) Vondal and Janet (Emerick) Vondal, brothers, Roger and Rodney Vondal.

Visitation will be Monday, February 6, 2023 from 5 until 6 pm at St. Therese Church of the Little Flower, Minot

Vigil Prayer Service: Monday, February 6, 2023 6pm at St. Therese Church of the Little Flower, Minot

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Therese Church of the Little Flower, Minot. The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 6, 2024.