Dennis Richards, 84, Owatonna

With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Dennis Leroy Richards, who left us at the age of 84 on Dec. 10, 2023. He lived a life full of love and laughter and will be missed by many.

Dennis was born on Feb. 20, 1939, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, to Abe and Florence Richards. He graduated high school from Ellendale-Geneva in 1958.

Dennis married the love of his life, Dorene Marie Richards, on July 18, 1959, at the Ellendale United Methodist Church. Together, they shared 64 years of marriage and were blessed with three children, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Whether he was loving his Special Kitties (BooBoos), working hard, fishing, gardening, bird watching, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, or hunting, he made every moment count.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Florence Richards, siblings, Doris (Harold) Redman, Naomi (Eldon) Farner, Paul Richards, Laurel (Alice) Richards, daughter Debra Zak, Nephews, Alan Richards, and Gary Richards.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorene Richards; children Denise (Gary) Swearingen and Dean (Cindy) Richards; grandchildren, Greg (Jami) Swearingen, Brooke (Joel) Torkelson, Holly (David) Swearingen/Skoblik, Amber (Aaron) Wolters, Justin (Ashley) Zak, Heather Hines, Tyler Richards, Brandon Richards, and Cassedy Richards; great-grandchildren, Taylar Swearingen, Brynn Torkelson, Alexis and Avin Wolters, Chloe, Cora, and Cailee Zak, and Carter Hines. Also survived by siblings Larry (Mary) Richards, Linda (Vernie) Stieglbauer, sister-in-law Naoma Richards, son-in-law Joe Zak, and many nieces and nephews.