Dennis Dale Richman was born on the family farm in rural Cass County, ND near Tower City on August 23, 1936, to Edwin and Esther (Koslofsky) Richman. He attended school in Tower City and was a member of the class of 1954. Following graduation, Dennis enlisted in the US Army. After boot camp in Missouri and California he spent most of his enlisted time in Alaska. When his service time was up, he returned to the Tower City area for a time before moving to California.
While in California, he worked at Rohr’s Aircraft Company and at San Diego Gas and Electric Company. Dennis met Lorene Mary Wallis and they were married November 24, 1960, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Chula Vista, CA. Early in 1962, they moved to ND, settling in the Tower City area. Dennis worked at Tower Texaco until he began farming full time in 1969.
Farming was his true passion, he continued to farm until his retirement in 2004, at which time he passed the farming operation to the next generation of his son, Matthew and son-in-law Mark. He was very proud of his legacy as it now involves his grandsons as well.
After retirement, Dennis and Lorene moved into Tower City and he enjoyed his second passion in life of traveling with her.
As Lorene’s health began to decline, they moved to Moorhead, MN where she passed away December 20, 2011. Dennis moved back to their home in Tower City and continued to winter in Arizona for a few more years. Over those next few years he spent time with LaDonna Lee in Tower City and also in Arizona. After Donna’s passing on October 28, 2015 Dennis spent two more winters in Arizona.
His health began to decline, and he made the move to Fargo, ND living at Eventide Assisted Living and eventually Eventide skilled care. The Richman family would like to express their gratitude to all of the Eventide staff that cared for Dennis during his time with them, as well as Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Dennis Richman, 87, Fargo, ND, formerly of Tower City, ND passed away at Eventide in Fargo on April 20, 2024. He is survived by his children, Pam (Mark) Johnson and Matthew (Jennifer) Richman; grandchildren, Jamie (Brian) Beyer, Jason (Lyndie Wilkins) Johnson, Justin (Lindsey) Johnson, Jacob (Angela Erickson) Richman, Samuel (Kate Traster) Richman; great grandchildren, Dylan, Isabella and Henry Beyer and Aiden and Emma Johnson; brother, Curtis (Mary Lynn) Richman; sister, LaLonnie (Robert) Braseth; and his nieces and nephews.
There will be visitation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tower City on Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00. There will be a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 26 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with visitation beginning that morning at 10:00. He will be laid to rest in the Buffalo Cemetery, Buffalo, ND with military honors.
The services will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well. The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Dennis’ family with arrangements.