Richard Tjosaas

March 14, 2022

Richard Tjosaas, 97, of Granite Falls, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022, at the Granite Falls Health Care Center. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 26th at a11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5 to 7 pm at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7 pm, and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Richard Luverne Tjosaas was born October 31, 1924, the son of Hans & Tillie (Hanson) Tjosaas in Benson, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church. Richard graduated from the Benson High School in 1943. Richard served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in April of 1945. He was united in marriage with Wilma E. Gades on June 25, 1944, in Danvers. Together they farmed for several years. In 1969 he went to work as the State Park Manager at Upper Sioux Agency State Park. He retired in 1991. Richard and Wilma enjoyed 42 years of marriage before she passed away on July 2, 1986. Richard was united in marriage with Loretta Just on August 6, 1988, in Granite Falls. Richard was a faithful member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, was a 30-year member of the Kiwanis and served as the Granite Falls American Legion Commander from 1992 – 1997. Richard was named the Granite Falls Volunteer of the Year in 1999 and Yellow Medicine County Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2002. Richard had a quick wit and was able to start a conversation that would last for hours. He is survived by his children: Connie Filley of Fargo, North Dakota, Jane (Delroy) Thielke of Clontarf, Mark (Brenda) Tjosaas of Fairfax, Cindy (James) Rigge of Granite Falls and Kimberly (Dan) Miller of Dawson; 15 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren; siblings: Eunice Fredrick, David (Suzanne) Tjosaas, Howard Tjosaas, Jeanne Berends and Gary (Sara) Tjosaas; sisters-in-law: Carol Tjosaas and Kathy Tjosaas; brother-in-law Pat Minor; Loretta’s family: Connie Mulder, Wesley (Norma) Just, Alan (Kim) Just, Kevin (Lori) Just, Lori (Roy) Gawarecki and Lisa (Steve) Iverson; 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren & eight great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Vi Tjosaas; wives Wilma and Loretta; sisters: Gladys Bloom Karen Minor and Victoria Healy, brothers: Wesley, Homer, Lyle and Roger, son-in-law Dennis Filley. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Granite Falls American Legion, St. Paul Lutheran Church or Friends of Upper Sioux Agency State Park.