Richard Podruchny

Minot

Richard LeRoy Podruchny, 92, Minot, formerly of Max area, died Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Unsong Assisted Living in Minot, ND.

Richard was born on June 29, 1933, in Minot, North Dakota, the son of Aleck and Bessie (Boyko) Podruchny. He was raised near Max on the family farm in Rushville Township. He was educated at Max High School and graduated in 1951.

When Richard’s Dad passed away, Richard was a senior in high school. He had to miss many days of school due to taking over for his Dad, but he still graduated from high school with his class.

Richard entered into active-duty service with the U.S. Army Reserves and honorably served from 1958-1964. He also had a furnace cleaning business called Royal Klean Air. He was united in marriage to Marianne Strilcov on July 9, 1960, in Minot. They made their home on the Podruchny family farm near Max where they raised their three children, Brenda, Carmen, and Brad. He always would say that he wouldn’t change a thing. He loved his family so much.

Richard loved helping people. He was always willing to install a new furnace or hot water heater if someone needed one. He also loved going to car auctions in the 1990s and 2000s with Brad and if a vehicle was purchased, he loved getting his hands dirty working on them with Brad. He also enjoyed woodworking and would make bird houses, steps that turn into a chair, repairing old heirloom furniture and clocks, etc.

Richard grew small grains and raised cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens. While he loved all his animals, he especially loved his cattle; you could often find him sitting in the pasture enjoying his cows.

In the earlier years of marriage, Richard would go hunting in the Badlands with his brothers-in-law. His final hunting season was in 2016. Some of his grandchildren took him out diligently to help him fill his license. On the final day of the season, Richard took a shot from 200+ yards away and was awarded his first large buck. It was an exciting day to celebrate!

Richard requested a copy of his birth certificate. When contacting the birth certificate division, they said they did not have a Podruchny born on that date with the name of Richard. They did, however, have a birth certificate on that date for a person named Daniel Podruchny. Apparently, his parents named him Daniel after his infant brother that passed away before Richard was born. They must have decided later that he should have his own name but never changed his certificate. He has a correction on his birth certificate now.

They moved to Minot in 1988 and retired from farming in 2002.

In November 2021, Richard and Marianne caught Covid and moved in with their daughter for 3 1/2 years before transitioning to various assisted living facilities in April 2025.

Richard was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Minot, where he served on the church board. He also served with Gideons International, the Rushville Township Board, and the Ward County Farm Bureau, and was a past member of Calvary Chapel of Sawyer. He enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

One of his greatest joys was sharing Jesus with inmates at Ward County jail and even the state penitentiary. He loved being part of Gideons International and would always have a story about how God’s word was shared with Gideons and made a difference in someone’s life.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marianne; daughters, Brenda (Jason) Novodvorsky, Douglas; Carmen (Darin) Myers, Minot; and son, Brad (Joanne) Podruchny, Minot. Grandchildren include: Jana (Kevin) Frederick, Kris (Chris) Kubal, David (Amanda) Novodvorsky, Zachary (Natalia) Myers, Jared Myers, Shaniah (Ian) Simons, Jordan Podruchny, Brandan Podruchny, Haydan Podruchny, Liam Hulm, and Quinn Hulm. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth Bolin, Norwood, CO, sister-in-law Connie Podruchny, Las Cruces, NM, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother Bessie Haverluck, father Aleck Podruchny, stepfather John Haverluck, grandson, Nashdan Podruchny, siblings Gilbert & Alice Myers, Emil & Lillian Podruchny, Charles & Agnes Rowley, Pete Podruchny, Richard & Elaine Nelson, Edward Boehler, Harold Bolin, Daniel Podruchny, and an infant brother.

Celebration of Life service: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in First Baptist Church, Minot. You may view a livestream of the service by going to Richard’s obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Interment: Max Baptist Church, rural Max, ND

Visitation: Monday, June 22nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot

Memorials are preferred to Gideons International.

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 20, 2026.