Richard “Bud” Chapel

Bud passed away peacefully at the Valley View Healthcare Facility in Houston, Minn., on November 29, 2024.

He was born on November 14, 1934, in Spring Grove to Clifford and Sarah Mae (Swenson) Chapel.   He grew up on the family farm in Sheldon, raising chickens and cash crop corn.

He graduated from Houston High School in 1951. He continued his education at the Minneapolis Business College from 1952-1955.  During that time, he sold pots and pans, door to door to make ends meet.  After graduating from college his first job was as an accountant for the G. Heileman Brewing Company in La Crosse.  He remained there until 1974.  In 1961 he moved his family to the Sheldon farm and took over farming.  He started small, but over the years, he was able to acquire various farms.  Farming and buying land were his driving force in life.

He served the community by being on the Houston School Board, Houston County Commissioners Board and Board of Directors for the Fortress Banks of Houston and Winona.

In 1953, he married Ruth Vix.  They had four children: Patty, Peg, Jim and Joan. They later divorced.  He married Judy McCallson in 1986, until present.  Judy added to the family two stepsons, Mark and Matt McCallson.

Unfortunately, Judy suffered a massive stroke in 2012.  As their lives changed, Dad took on a new role of helping her get around, modest cooking, and cleaning.  They still managed to get away in the winter, maintaining their snowbird destination in Arizona!  They shared a lot of good memories over the years, traveling to various places with friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Mae, sister Muriel (Harold) Halverson, and brother-in-law Doug Olson.

He is survived by his wife Judy, sister Beverly Olson, his children: Patty (Larry) VanGundy, Peg Chapel, and Jim Chapel (Julie), all of Houston, and Joan (Scott) Gregory of Chandler, Ariz.;  stepsons Mark (Karen) McCallson and Matt McCallson, grandchildren Jeremy VanGundy (Jen), Jason VanGundy (Tanya), Brandy (Ryan) Nohrenberg, Tyler (Jalin) Gregory, Austin (Molly) Gregory, and Bryson Gregory; step-grandchild Ryan McCallson, great-grandchildren Tate, Breana, Landyn and Vadyn VanGundy, Axson and Carvir Nohrenberg, and Grant Gregory.

A private celebration of life will be held at the Hoff Funeral Home in Houston for the family. Memorials not necessary, but can be made to the Money Creek Cemetery, 5011 State 76, Houston, Minn. 55943. 

Hoff Funeral Home – Houston is assisting the family with arrangements.