Richard Henry Kirckof

Richard Kirckof, 89, of Brooten, died Tuesday, February 3 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. His funeral service will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 10 at Big Grove Lutheran Church in rural Belgrade. His visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial with Military Honors will be in the church cemetery. A livestream link can be found here. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade. www.hafh.org 

Richard Henry Kirckof was born on July 19, 1936, to Herbert and Elsie (Dahlke) Kirckof on the family farm near Brooten. He was baptized and confirmed at Big Grove Lutheran Church. Richard attended country school in Northfork Township through the eighth grade. After completing his education, he worked on the family farm before entering military service.

Richard proudly served in the United States Army from 1959 until his honorable discharge in 1961. On July 30, 1960, he was united in marriage to Marlene Walther. Together they were blessed with six children. The couple later parted ways.

Richard spent his entire working career on his family’s century farm. He took great pride in caring for his dairy cows and tending his crops, and farming was truly his passion. After many years of hard work, he eventually retired from farming. In his free time, Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing, including fishing trips to International Falls, moose hunting in Canada, and elk hunting in Colorado. He also liked going to the casino and playing cards. Most of all, Richard cherished time spent with his grandchildren and enjoyed being surrounded by his family.

Richard is survived by his children: Mark (Kara) Kirckof of Brooten, Tammy (Gene) Odland of Browerville, Kurt (Yvette) Kirckof of Sauk Centre, and Brad (Kristie) Kirckof of Sauk Centre; bonus daughter, Tanya Akerson (fiancé, Marwin Schiltz); 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and his Saint Bernard, Izzy.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Alan and Kevin Kirckof; granddaughter, Aleshia Greenwaldt; sons-in-law, Gary Odland and Jeff Greenwaldt; his parents, Herbert and Elsie Kirckof; and siblings, David Kirckof, Dorothy Drewelow, Clarence Kirckof, and Willard Kirckof.

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