Richard Just

Richard Clayton Just, age 95, of Mankato died June 7, 2009, at Pathstone Living Nursing Home. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at Woodland Hills Chapel in Mankato with Rev. Steve Kosberg, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Memorials are preferred to Pathstone Living in Mankato or the donor's choice.Richard was born in Rapidan, MN on February 26, 1914, to Theodore and Marie (Pederson) Just. He married Bernice Dahl of Madelia, MN on October 4, 1940. The lived in St. James, MN until the beginning of WWII, then moved to Buffalo, NY where Richard worked for Bell Aircraft as a machinist and was very proud to have worked on the development of the first helicopter. They returned from the war effort in 1945 and moved back to St. James, then to Mankato where the family has since resided.Richard worked heavy construction as an ironworker, and belonged to Ironworkers Local 512 in St. Paul. He also served as a business agent for the Mankato Building Trades Assn. Richard was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed the out of doors and loved sports of all kinds, but especially loved the time he spent in Montana. He was a member of Moose Lodge 1414 in Mankato.Richard is survived by 3 children, Dwayne (Sharon Walters) of Bozeman, MT, Carole (Glenn) Pestka of Mankato, Dennis of North Mankato; grandchildren and their families, Michelle (Brent) Backstrom, Cole and Courtney of Lakeville, MN, Michael Pestka of Waconia, MN, Barbara (Bill) Dreyer, Ryan and Alexa of Belgrade, MT, Danny Just of Belgrade, MT, Christopher (Holly) Just and Zachery of St. Peter, MN, Shawn (Chad) Amundson, Taylor and Alexis of North Mankato, MN, Patrick Just of Good Thunder, MN; brothers-in-law, Eldon Dahl of Glenwood, MN, Edward Bloedel and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice, his parents, his brother, Sidney, sisters, Eileen Luther, Leona Sargent, and daughter-in-law, Joanie Just.Richard's family wish to express their gratitude to the staff of Pathstone Living for all their loving care, compassion and professionalism. They will always be a part of our family.