Richard F. Ginther

Richard (Rick) Frank Ginther, age 80, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Friend and Neighbor, peacefully passed away on November 4,  2021 in Devils Lake, ND with his loving family by his side.

Rick was the oldest of 5 children born to Richard J. and Wilma (Billie Thomson) Ginther on December 31, 1940 in Devils Lake, ND. He grew up near Southam, ND where he attended grade school. They spent a short time living in Des Moines, Iowa but returned back to the Southam area. He then attended Crary High School in Crary, ND. During his schooling, he was involved in the Ramsey County 4-H program. He graduated from Crary High School in 1958. 

Rick attended one year of college at Wahpeton State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND. That spring he went to work on the farm for one of the neighbors until he was drafted into the US Army on January 6, 1964. Rick served in Vietnam and later received an honorable discharge from the Army on January 2. 1966. After returning from the Army, he continued to work on the neighbor’s farm.

In May of 1966, Rick went to work for Otter Tail Power Company in Rolla, ND. He worked in Rolla for one year before transferring to the Devils Lake Division. He was a lineman on a crew for many years. In 1980, Rick got his own bucket truck called “Line and Service.” He remained a dedicated employee with Otter Tail Power Company for 37 years until he retired on May 1, 2003. When Rick was not at work, he would spend time helping his dad on the farm during the harvest season for many years. Rick was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as Grand Knight in 1975-1976 for the 3^rd Degree. He was Faithful Navigator for the 4^th Degree from 1976-1977 and again from 1980-1981. He was the Financial Secretary for many years for the KC’s. He was also a member of the Elks and VFW Clubs. He received the unsung hero award in October of 1998.

Rick married the love of his life, Mary Ann Hoffart on October 10, 1970 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND. They made their home in Devils Lake where they raised their three children; Brian, Dale and Mike. Rick was a follower of the Devils Lake Wrestling Team since all three of his sons were wrestlers. He started driving bus for the team in 1992. Later on, he started driving bus for other school activities. He would even drive a route if they needed a substitute driver until he stopped driving bus in October, 2016. He was a very loving husband to Mary Ann for 51 years. They enjoyed going places together and some would even say they were inseparable. He would take Mary Ann on some of his longer bus driving trips. If the weather was bad, Rick would drive Mary Ann around town to do her Avon stops. He was even willing to do them if she wasn’t able to go. They spent their time visiting the elderly at the Good Sam, Lake Country Manor, and the Odd Fellows Home. Rick always enjoyed a good conversation whether he knew you or not.

After Rick’s retirement, he enjoyed meeting for coffee every Monday morning with the other retirees from Otter Tail. He also went to the bus barn many mornings for coffee and to visit with the regular bus drivers from the Devils Lake school system. In his spare time, Rick thoroughly enjoyed wood working. He made each of the nine grandchildren their own rocking chair. He also made doll cribs for the granddaughters and trucks and a backhoe for the grandsons. At age 69, Rick’s pride and joy was a bucket truck he made that resembled the one he drove all those years working for Otter Tail. He has made over 44 items from oak in his lifetime. He was always eager to offer his assistance to others if they were ever in need of something built. He even helped all of his boys with their home remodeling projects. Rick loved spending time with his grandchildren. He looked forward to reading to them, watching them play and helping them build with Legos.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann of 51 years, Sons Brian J. Ginther, Mandan, ND; Dale R. Ginther, Devils Lake, ND; Michael D. Ginther (Hollee Kubik) Bismarck, ND; special friends of the family Stacey (Ginther) Kalvoda, Bismarck, ND; Lisa Ginther, Devils Lake, ND and Sandy Ginther, Lakota, ND. Grandchildren James Ginther, Bismarck, ND; Clara, Blaine and Oscar Ginther, Marlee and Elyse Clement, Bismarck, ND; Anna, Noah and William Ginther, Devils Lake, ND; Sisters Rosella Aronson, Doyon, ND; Debra (Mike) Ludwig, Perham, MN; Brother Douglas Ginther, Devils Lake, ND; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by his parents; brother John Wayne Ginther; daughter-in-law Tanya (Mathson) Ginther; In-laws Adam J Hoffart and Anna M. (Laturnus) Hoffart-Schiele and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home from 3:00 until 6:00 pm with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m.  Visitation on Monday at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Burial with Military Honors in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.