Richard “Dick” Fuller, 89, of Lanesboro, Minn., died April 27, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by family, after a short battle with cancer.
He was born on August 12, 1934, to William and Mary Fuller in Shinhopple, N.Y.
At the age of 17 Dick joined the Army, and started on what became a 20-year career. On July 4, 1952, he arrived in Korea to be attached to the 7th Army 17th Infantry Regiment, and was immediately sent into action. While on patrol carrying a heavy machine gun, a mortar round landed between him and his gunner. Injuring both of them, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Returning from his hospitalization in Japan for three months he was within three days of rotating and his CEO did not let him go with the rest of the troops to the battle, which turned out to be Pork Chop Hill. He then became a medic, serving as an operating room specialist for the rest of his Army career.
He married Majorie Asleson on January 8, 1966, at Root Prairie Lutheran Church.
In February he received orders and in March he went to Vietnam.
While in the Army he was a member of fast pitch softball, wherever he was stationed, enjoyed bowling, golfing, and most of all, being outdoors.
In 1973 when he retired from the military, he realized his dream of owning a dairy farm. They moved to Lanesboro, Minn., and purchased his wife’s family farm. He was a dairy farmer for 15 years.
Being a veteran was important to Dick and he was a member of the Lanesboro American Legion, Preston VFW, Korean Club and the Vietnam Club.
Dick had many interests continuing his love of bowling, golf, and also dancing. For years he loved traipsing around in the woods all night, following a dog, hunting coon. He also enjoyed raising coonhounds and morel foraging. Until six months ago, most of the time you would find him in the woods, cutting up downed trees or hauling in trees to get split by hand, for warming the home. One of his great passions was feeding the birds, especially when he got older. Marge would often tell him, they spent more on bird seeds than they spent on food for themselves.
Family was a central point of his life. Especially as the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren came along.
He is survived by his wife Marge of 58 years, and their children Bill (Barb), R. Wayne (Susan), Chris (Shawn), Sharon (Tim), 20 grandchildren, and 20 and still counting great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Robert and a daughter, Debra; his parents, a sister ,Jeanne; and a brother, Sherill.
He was a proud veteran who continued serving his family, his God, and his community.
Memorial service for Dick will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2024, at Root Prairie Lutheran Church, in rural Fountain. Visitation will be from 9:30.–11 a.m. before the service at the church. Burial with Military honors will be at 2 p.m. at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Root Prairie Lutheran Church.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Lanesboro, is assisting the Fuller family with arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at rileyfuneralhomes.com