Richard Thomas Van Leur

Richard T. “Red” Van Leur of Devils Lake ND passed away on Sunday morning, December 1, 2024, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital with loving family at his side.

Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. with a Graveside Service at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Navy.

As there are no formal indoor services, the family requests memorials instead of flowers to the Humane Society, TLC-ND in Devils Lake, or other animal rescue charities in memory of Red.

Richard Thomas Van Leur was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 5, 1936, to George and Pearl (Palmquist) Van Leur. He attended school in Deep Haven, Minnesota until moving to Devils Lake at the age of 14. He continued his education in Devils Lake graduating from Central High School with the class of 1954.

Richard entered the United States Navy at age 17, leaving 2 days before graduation. He received his diploma by mail. His Navy days took him to several areas stateside but most of his Naval career was spent in Guam from 1955 to 1957. Returning from Guam, he landed in Minnesota and worked with his family.

In 1959, Richard returned to Devils Lake and worked at Bill’s Standard. This beautiful young girl from Penn, ND, Margo Lila Gessner walked by the Standard every day on her way to work. She caught Red’s eye, love bloomed, and they were married on April 5, 1961, in Devils Lake. They lived, worked, and raised their family through the years. They called Devils Lake home their entire married life. Margo died on December 9, 2021.

In 1966 Richard was hired by the United States Postal Service where he held a variety of positions at the Post Office. He retired in 1992 after 26 years of dedicated service. Such dedicated service was noted by the US Postal Service in a Letter of Commendation for only missing one day of work in those 26 years.

Richard walked everywhere he went as he never got a driver’s license. In his younger years, Richard had quite a pitching arm and pitched many no-hitter games when playing Pee Wee baseball in Minnesota, to American Legion Baseball in Devils Lake. He made the headlines of the local newspapers many times.

In retirement, Red kept a manicured lawn, enjoyed gardening, ice fishing and golfing. He was the ultimate animal lover. The family always had dogs and cats and these last few years he enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels in the backyard. He put his money where his mouth was and was always generous to Animal Rescue causes.

Richard loved any and every sport. Of course, baseball was at the top of the list, then football and hockey. He usually was a fan of the Minnesota teams except hockey. He was a New York Islander fan.

First and foremost, Richard was a devoted husband, loving dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. His family meant the world to him. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his spirit will be with us always.

Richard’s loving family include his children Traci L. (Randy) Kraft, Devils Lake, Tammi L. (Dale) Wohlers, Virginia Beach VA, Tommy L. Van Leur, and Trudi Jaeger (Kermit) both of Devils Lake; grandchildren Todd (Jackie) Kraft and Amanda (David) Reed: Matthew (Sarah) Wohlers: J.D. Jaeger; great grandchildren Jakson Jaeger, Robbie, Michelle, and James Kraft, Layton Reed and Daniel and Olevir Wohlers; half brother Leo (Sharon) McGarvey; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jerry Vanderlin, Gilby, ND, Judy Gessner, Colorado, Pat Gessner, Kansas, Charlene (Al) Gault, Rugby, ND and Charlotte E. (Jim) Hatlestad, Tolna ND; many beloved nieces, nephews and their families.

He was reunited with his wife of 60 years, Margo. Parents George and Pearl, stepfather Earl McGarvey, son-in-law Dale Jaeger, in-laws Harold and Charlette Gessner, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Bernard Gessner, John Henry Gessner, and Mary Lou Vanderlin and fur baby “Sassy Lulu”.

Casket Bearers will be Richard's grandsons Todd Kraft, JD Jaeger, Matthew Wohlers, David Reed and Richard's great grandsons Robbie Adsit, James Kraft, Jakson Jaeger, Layton Reed, Daniel Wohlers and Olevir Wohlers.