Richard Harold Tandsater

About Richard

Richard Harold Tandsater age 88 passed on to eternal life at Crystal Brook GEMS in Park Rapids, MN. Dick (Richard) was born on January 11, 1934 in Williston North Dakota the first of five children born to Harold and Cecilia (Kreis) Tandsater.

As a young man he worked for Barker Farms in Gardner, ND and Balmer Motor Company in Moorhead, MN. In 1953 at age 19 Dick enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He earned his high school Diploma from Argusville High School while active in the Marine Corp. He attended Amphibious Personnel Training at Camp Delmar, CA. In January 1954 Dick was assigned to the 3rd Tank Battalion 3rd Division in Japan for standby duty in Korea. He trained for M47 49 Ton tanks and advanced from gunner to operator to Tank Commander. In February 1955 Dick returned to First Division at Camp Pendleton, CA until his discharge in August 1956.

Dick married Darlene Helen Buzick of Argusville, ND at Blessed Sacrament Church in West Fargo, ND on April 23, 1955; raising four children Tina, Cynthia, Jeffrey and Martin.

After his military duty Dick completed Automotive and Diesel Mechanic School in Los Angles, CA and later Airframe Power Plant Airplane Mechanic School at Skroch Aviation Hector Field in Fargo, ND.

Dick worked as a mechanic at W W Wallwork in Fargo, ND and in Moorhead, MN. The family moved to Park Rapids, MN in 1969 when he started work at Red Baron Airlines and then at Itasca State Park where he worked for 26 years retiring in 1996.

He was a life time member of the Park Rapids Legion and a Charter Life Member of the U.S. Marine Corp League, Star of the North Detachment. Dick served with pride as a member of the Color Guard, the VFW, and the DAV.

Dick is survived by the love of his life, Darlene; his daughters Tina (Buzz) Johanning and Cynthia (Tim ) Little of Park Rapids MN; his sons Jeffrey (Trish) Tandsater of Park Rapids MN and Martin (Jenny) Tandsater of Browntown MN; his sisters Doris Rogers of Loveland CO; Marlys Tandsater and Joan(Gary) Peterson of Fargo ND; his sister-in-law Tamara Tandsater of Argusville ND; eight grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Gary Tandsater; his daughter-in-law Denise Tandsater; his infant grandson Mathew Tandsater; and his infant great grandson Conner Rokke.

Dick's family will be forever grateful to his Crystal Brook caregivers for their kindness and care these past years.

memorial service

A private family service will be held at a later date

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home