Harley Richards

Harley "Mac" Richards, age 86, of Rapidan, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at Mankato, after a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 14, 2010 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Rapidan. Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m., Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Monday. Memorials may be given to Calvary Lutheran Church, Alzheimer's Association, or donor's choice.

Mac was born February 28, 1924 to Glen and Eva B. (Gerner) Richards in Iroquois, SD. He graduated from Iroquois High School in 1942 and attended Brookings State College. Mac was drafted at 18 and took the train to Ft. Snelling where he was inducted. He served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic from 1943-1946. Upon his honorable discharge from the service he returned to Huron State College and graduated with a business degree. Mac was united in marriage to Donna J. Erickson on April 25, 1954 at American Lutheran Church, Huron, SD. He worked as a furniture salesman during his college years at Huron State. Mac and Donna moved to Rapidan in 1958 and he was a carpet layer in the Rapidan area for 31 years before retiring in February of 1989. Mac was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church and had served on the church board and was a former member of the Rapidan School Board. Mac was very creative and enjoyed tinkering in the garage after retirement. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, bird watching, reading, drawing, and sitting on his "wisdom bench" (that he made) visiting with family and friends.

Mac is survived by his wife, Donna of Rapidan; two daughters, Debra Groenewold of Northfield, Brenda Reid and husband, Bruce of Vernon Center; four grandchildren, Nathan and Elise Groenewold, Nick and Lexi Reid; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dorothy (Bill) Jones.