RICHARD A. STORSTEEN

D. Richard Storsteen, 76 of Devils Lake, ND died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, rural Devils Lake on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. Funeral Services for Richard will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Friends may call at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Tuesday one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Richard will be Eric Klemetsrud, Mark Schafer, Tony Hass, Judd Frith, Jeff Frith, Kyle Blanchfield, Gary Conkins and Tom Hausmann. Honorary Bearers will be Richard’s brothers, Howard, Joel, Reuben, Rolf, Daniel and Harold. Music will be provided by Tom Wade, vocalist and Lynda Pearson, organist. Richard, son of Rasmus and Ida (Hoystad) Storsteen was born on March 24, 1936 at Devils Lake, ND where he was reared and educated, graduating from Devils Lake Central High School. He attended Concordia College and the University of North Dakota. Richard was united in marriage to Joan Steffan in 1959 in Grand Forks. They moved to California in 1961 and then the family moved to Oregon in 1973. While living in Oregon, Rich worked for a patent attorney. In 1980, Rich returned to Devils Lake, living and working here for 9 years, before he moved back to Oregon. Richard married Charlotte E. Frith on July 8, 1994 in Devils Lake. They lived for several years in Oregon and in 2000 made Devils Lake their permanent home. Charlotte passed away on July 15, 2010. Rich was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the Mens Bowling Association. Richard loved to follow the many school activities and sporting events that his grandchildren participated in. He was always their biggest fan and was so very proud of each and every one of them. Rich also enjoyed visiting with his friends at the VFW. We can’t imagine life without our beloved Dad, Grandpa, brother, uncle and dear friend. We will love and remember him always. Richard is survived by his daughters, Debra Schafer of Devils Lake, ND and Vicki Chaifetz of Charlotte, NC; mother of his two daughters, Joan Rutten also of Charlotte; six grandchildren, Amanda (Eric) Klemetsrud of Devils Lake, Katie Schafer of Las Vegas, NV, Erin Schafer, Sarah Schafer and Emily Schafer all of Devils Lake and Brianna Chaifetz of Charlotte, NC; three great grandchildren, Jaylen, Kaylie and Addison Klemetsrud; step children, Jeff (Shari) Frith, Devils Lake, Judd (Sara) Frith of West Fargo, ND, Tracy (Tony) Hass of Milaca, MN and Charla Frith of Fargo; ten step grandchildren, Spencer, Hannah, Easton, Hudson, Megan, Cameron, Landon, Alex, Elliot and Nathan; brothers, Howard (Beverly) Storsteen, Seattle, WA, Joel (Donna) Storsteen, Devils Lake, Reuben Storsteen, Phoenix, AZ, Rolf (Shirley) Storsteen, Dunnellon, FL, Daniel (Mary) Storsteen, Providence, RI and Harold (Jeanie) Storsteen, Minot, ND; many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Charlotte; sister, Dorcas Wells and brothers, Carl, Bernard and Paul Storsteen. Memorials may be directed to the Devils Lake High School Girls Basketball Team in memory of Richard who loved to watch “his girls” play the game.