Richard Laurvick

Richard Edward Laurvick was born May 29, 1928 in St. Paul, MN, the son of Harold and Helen (Novotny) Laurvik. Richard grew up in several towns throughout Minnesota. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. Following his schooling Richard joined the US Navy. He became an air traffic controller and served in several locations. Richard served at Atsugi, Japan, he served aboard the USS Shangri-la, at Naval bases in Florida, Virginia and Missouri. He also served in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1970 Richard was serving at the Rosemount Naval Satellite Operations Center when he retired after twenty-four years of service. Richard was married September 2, 1950 to Marion Larson in Minneapolis. The couple made their home wherever Richard was stationed, including Japan. They were blessed with four children, Katherine, David, Ronald and Beverly. Following Richard?s naval service he became a county assessor. They made their home in Apple Valley, MN and Richard worked as assessor for Dakota County. In 1977 his family moved to Park Rapids, MN and in 1985 they moved again to Benson, MN. Richard retired from the Swift county assessor?s office in 1992. He and Marion moved to Gainesville, FL where they spent the next seven years before returning to Minnesota. For the past eleven years they have resided in Alexandria, MN. Richard was a member of the Fleet Reserve and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Rotary Club in Benson. He enjoyed the outdoors; he loved to fish and go camping. Richard enjoyed doing woodworking and was an avid reader. He always had to have a book with him, even as he was leaving for the hospital on the day of his death. Richard was proud of his Norwegian heritage. On Thursday, December 23, 2010 Richard died at the age of eighty-two years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Beverly Griffiths, and Walt and Elaine Warns. Richard is survived by his wife, Marion Laurvick of Alexandria; two sons, David Laurvick (Elizabeth) of Littleton, CO and Ronald Laurvick (Joyce) of Florissant, MO; two daughters, Katherine Hutchison of Gainesville, FL and Beverly Knudsen (Daryl) of Kandiyohi, MN; nine grandchildren, Crystal O?Connor, David Hutchison, Robert Hutchison, Bradley Laurvick, Erin Laurvick, Dorothy Hutchison, Samuel Laurvick, Cole Knudsen and Savanna Knudsen; and one brother, Harold Laurvik of Winnett, MT. A funeral service was held Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Reverend Bradley Laurvick was the officiant. Interment followed on Thursday in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Casket bearers included all of Richard?s grandchildren. The Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad accorded military honors. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN.