Richard Hamen

Richard Allen Hamen was born July 27, 1943 in Morris, MN, the son of Lawrence and Florence (Fahlin) Hamen. He was raised in Kensington, MN where he graduated from high school. Richard continued his education at Alexandria Technical College where he learned about farm machinery and mechanics. Following his schooling Richard went to work for Moody Implement in Herman, MN. For the next several years Richard served his country as a member of the Minnesota National Guard. On July 23, 1966 Richard was united in marriage to Carol Altrich. The couple made their home in Minneapolis and were blessed with two daughters, Rebecca and Jennifer. Richard started working for Northwestern Bell Telephone as a cable repairman. While working in the Twin Cities Richard and his family lived in Robbinsdale, Hilltop and Fridley. In 1977 they made their home in Cambridge, MN. Richard enjoyed working at the telephone company where he developed many friendships with co-workers. He served as a union steward for the Communications Workers of America. The telephone company changed names several times and in 2002 Richard retired from Qwest. In 1994 Richard and Carol bought a lake home on Oscar Lake near Kensington. They split their time between Cambridge and Kensington. Richard enjoyed the outdoors and liked to go fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. He also enjoyed mechanical things. Often he would take several junked machines and create one good working machine out of them. He was always recycling old parts and loved going to auctions. Recently he had begun to collect old tractors. Richard was a member of the American Legion in Cambridge and also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. On Friday, June 1, 2012 Richard died at the age of sixty-eight years. His parents preceded him in death. Richard is survived by his wife, Carol Hamen of Cambridge and Kensington, MN; two daughters, Rebecca Hamen and fiance', Rick Shofner, of Blaine, MN and Jennifer Hacker and husband, Greg, of Sioux Falls, SD; and two brothers, Ronald Hamen and wife, Sharon, of Fridley, MN and Curtis Hamen of Kensington, MN. A Mass of Christian burial was held Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at St. Mary?s Church in Alexandria, MN. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld was the celebrant. Casket bearers included Ryan Hamen, Jason Hamen, John Bergloff, Randy Bye, Steve Dolin and Gordon Hoel. Honorary casket bearers are the 9 o'clock coffee group from Cambridge. Military honors were accorded by the American Legion Posts 87 & 268, VFW Post 936 and the Minnesota National Guard. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.