Richard C. Espeland

BRISTOL - Richard C. Espeland 79 of Bristol, passed away Saturday December 7, 2019 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday December 10, 2019 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol. Burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery near Butler. Visitation will be Monday 5-7 P.M. at the funeral home. Richard Clarence Espeland was born November 16, 1940, to Clarence and Grace (Shanahan) Espeland at Webster, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Butler Lutheran Church. He attended elementary school in Butler and Bristol, graduating from Bristol High School in 1958. He thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at basketball for all four years of high school. His favorite pastime, as quoted in his senior year, was “driving with his best girl, Kay” in his two-tone green Ford. On March 18, 1961, he was united in marriage to Kay Bakken at Bergen Lutheran Church. To this union four children were born; Robin, Rhonda, Kristi, and Chad. Richard farmed with his father until the late 1960’s when he went to work part-time for Burlington Northern Railroad. He started as a custodian at Bristol School in 1977, where he spent the remainder of his working years. He took great pride in keeping Bristol School immaculately cleaned and maintained. His family worked alongside of him at each and every event, thus instilling in his children the satisfaction derived from hard work, a job well done, and proof that many hands make light work. Richard enjoyed hunting and trapping in his younger years. In his later years, he always enjoyed going for a drive to see the crops and wildlife. He was an avid watcher of birds, Minnesota Vikings, and Minnesota Twins. Richard passed away at Bristol, South Dakota, at the age of 79 years and 21 days. He will be forever loved and greatly missed by his wife Kay of Bristol, SD, children; Robin (Jon) Anderson of Bristol, SD, Rhonda (Doug) Johnson of Bristol, SD, Kristi (Bryan) Anderson of Webster, SD, Dr. Chad (Margaret) Espeland of Jackson, MS, grandchildren; Brandon (Jody) Anderson, Courtney (Sterling) Eschenbaum, Mallory (Chris) VanderLinden, Danielle (Kyle) Monteith, Dustin (Brittany) Johnson, Brooke Johnson, Kaylene (Hayden) Simon, Madelyn (Bryce) Rabenhorst, and Hayden (Maria) Anderson. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law; Glenda Bakken and Carol (Jerry) Raap, three nieces; Mary (Greg) Johnson, Diane Huntley, Carmen (Jerry) Steen, and one nephew; Lance Sigdestad. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents; Lars & Mollie Espeland and William & Kathryn Shanahan, and three sisters; Kathleen Espeland, Donna (Wayne) Warrington, and Doreen (Richard) Olson.