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Richard Gene Richardson, 87, of Cloquet passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022, in his home at Suncrest Assisted Living with his family by his side. He was born June 12, 1935, in Cloquet to Sten and Gladys Richardson. He grew up in Esko and attended Esko schools, graduating in 1953. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from Dec. 29, 1954 to Dec. 5, 1956. On Oct. 12, 1963, he married Kathleen O. Johnson in Bethany Covenant Church in Cloquet.

Rich worked at Northwest Paper, later Potlatch, for 38 years as a paper inspector, retiring in 1997. He was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Esko and the VFW Post 3979 in Cloquet. He enjoyed flower gardening, hunting, word search puzzles, and watching his grandchildren play sports. He loved spending time with family and friends, especially at the lake.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Stanley; and two sisters, Gloria and Beverly.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathleen, of Cloquet; children, Marcie (Larry) Henning of Burnsville, Kevin (Jan) Richardson of Sauk Rapids and Angie (Joe) Davidson of Esko; seven grandchildren, Curan, Holly, Kayla, Luke, Ahna, Darin and Reid; three great-grandchildren, Maci, Sutton and Achak; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank Suncrest Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Richard.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 22 in Atkins Northland Funeral Home, with military honors accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Burial in St. Matthews Cemetery in Esko. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute visit http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.