Richard N. Fichter

Liturgy of the Word for Richard N. Fichter, 84, of Dickinson, formerly of north of Taylor, ND, will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson. A rosary will be said at 10:00 a.m., Saturday April 29. Cremation and burial will take place at a later date.  

Visitation for Richard will be from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 28, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home and resume at 9:00 a.m., Saturday April 29th.

Richard passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023  at St. Benedict’s Health Center to join his wife in heaven for eternity.

Richard N. Fichter was born July 7, 1938 to Christ and Margaret (Roll) Fichter, on their family farmstead north of Taylor, ND.  Richard attended school at a one room school house, about 1 mile south from their farm house. He spent his early years helping his father on the farm and then went on to be a hired hand north of Richardton for Fred Enderle.  He later met his soon to be bride, Luella (Klemm), through family and friends.  They were married on June 16, 1959 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Lefor, ND.  On May 2, 1960, they were blessed with their son Alvin.  Richard worked at his brother Joe’s filling station in New England, as a mechanic and lived in and ran the laundry mat beside the filling station while Luella stayed home with Alvin, and also watched Joe’s daughter.  Around 1964, they moved and got a trailer house out on Richard’s family farm.  On April 30, 1976, they were blessed with their daughter Gloria.  After years of working on the farm, they later purchased it from his family and him and Luella continued to live, work, and raise their children there for years.  In about 1999, Richard and Luella moved to Dickinson, and Richard retired from farming.  Richard had several rental properties, was quite the handy man, and always kept himself busy at “the office” where he enjoyed shaking dice and sharing jokes and stories with his friends.  He will always be known for his famous “neckbone” country style sausage, and his sense of humor, among many other things.  Richard’s talents and hobbies ranged from playing guitar in his earlier years (joined by his wife who played accordian), to farming, fishing, carpentry, butchering, cooking, and mechanic work, all the way to pinochle and shaking dice.  His musical talents were shared not only by his wife, but by his grandson, Damon Fichter, who has gone on to be a Burning Hills Singer in the Medora Musical numerous seasons, and is now residing in Nashville, TN where he is writing his own music and teaching voice and piano lessons for a school of music, and privately. 

He was blessed to be able to live in Evergreen Assisted Living, along with his wife, for about the last 10 years, and the last place he called home was St. Benedict’s Health Center.  Richard and his family are forever greatful for the great care he received from all the staff at Sanford Health, CHI St. Alexius, Evergreen and St. Benedicts.  They all did what they could to help make sure he could live his best life.  All the staff are appreciated more than they know.

Richard is survived by his son, Alvin Fichter, Gladstone, daughter Gloria Fichter- Rau (Wayne), Dickinson, grandson Damon Fichter, Nashville, TN, his extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren through his daughter’s family, his sister Josie Heinert, Bismarck, along with all his extended family, and friends who he considered family, especially his best friend Kenny Heidt.  Richard was preceeded in death by his wife of 62 years, Luella Fichter, his father, Christ Fichter, mother Margaret Fichter, brothers Joe (Frances) Fichter, Paul Fichter, and Alex (Beatrice) Fichter, and sisters Agnes Kersich, Izzy (George) Messmer, and Mary Catherine Fichter.

Richard asked that his friends celebrate his life with a drink in the air and a memory to share.