Richard Dietrich, age 80, of Valley City, ND, died Friday, December 24th at his residence in Valley City.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 31st at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Valley City.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 30th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran and one hour before the service on Friday morning.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the church.  Inurnment will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery near Verona, ND.  An online guestbook and live-streaming of the services will be available at www.lerudschuldt.com.

Richard was born in Marion, ND to Arthur and Bernice (Laney) Dietrich. He lived on the family farm near Verona, ND, where he graduated from high school.   Richard was an adventurous soul and traveled around the country in his early years.   He later settled in Valley City, ND.  He married Ardyce K. Alexander in 1967 and started his family of three children and ran his school bus business, Dietrich and Sons, Inc.   In 1998, Richard married Katherine Mason and four more children joined the family. They have enjoyed the last 23 years together and have a combined family of 7 children and 26 grandchildren.   When asked by his grandchildren a word to describe him, they said: Papa, kind, selfless, unique, adventurous, fearless, eccentric, calming, fearless, creative, happy, generous, gifted, enthusiastic, entrepreneur, loving grand father, jokester, story teller, fisherman, outdoor guide, teacher, best friend, reliable, cowboy, hunter, travel buddy, prankster, tinkerer, the man who had everything you could possibly imagine in his carry bag, fixer, and shabby cabin lovin man.  He had a zest for life that he shared with all.   When Richard was asked what he did for a living, he always answered, “I am just a poor farm boy from Verona, ND.” We all knew better.

Richard is survived by Katherine Dietrich, Brenda (Todd) Ingstad, Travis, Isaac, Eric and Sydnee; Lana Meyer, Spencer, Autumn, Rachael (Andrew) Arnold, Ryan and Ross; Luther (Erin) Dietrich, Dawson, London, Livia and Beck; Bryan (Amy) Mason, Janzie, Madison and Miranda; Gregory (Rachel) Mason, Sarah, Noah, Hannah and Isaiah; Amy (Robert) Goble, Zach and Meagan; Dorothy (Don) Russell, Alexander, Katherine, Nathaniel and Elizabeth; two brothers, Robert (Shirley) Dietrich, Fred (Lee-Ann) Dietrich; two sisters, Diane Ponto, Marge(Curt) Faul, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Dietrich, Bernice Dietrich.