Richard E. Gandrud

Richard Gandrud, age 96 of Glenwood, died peacefully Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Glenwood Retirement Village. A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28th at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Krista Lee officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Glenwood Lutheran Music Ministry. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.
Richard Elvin Gandrud was born on November 13, 1928, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, to Elvin and Ada (Aarstad) Gandrud. He moved to Glenwood at age three and was the second of three children.
He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1946. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he majored in Music and Business Administration. While in college, he performed with the Luther Concert Band, pep band, and swing band. After graduating in 1950, he taught music at Blooming Prairie High School for a year.
In 1951 Richard entered the United States Army, serving two years at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C.
After completing his service, he returned to Minnesota. He began his banking career in 1953 at Northwestern State Bank in St. Paul and relocated to Montevideo to work at Union State Bank in 1955.
On September 9, 1956, he married Lorraine Larson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dawson, Minnesota. Together, they raised three children-Erick, John, and Kristin.
In 1957 Richard and Lorraine moved to Glenwood, where he began working as a cashier at Pope County State Bank (now Eagle Bank). He was promoted to Vice President in 1958 and became President in 1977, a position he held until 1997. He remained on the bank's board of directors from 1957 until his passing, providing consistent leadership for 68 years.
Richard's professional leadership extended beyond his local bank. He taught public relations and marketing at the Minnesota School of Banking at St. Olaf College. He held several leadership positions within the Minnesota Bankers Association, including treasurer for two terms and president in 1980. In 1981, he was key in forming the Mid-America Bankers Service Company-a partnership among banking associations from 12 Midwestern states. Richard was the organizing chairman and first president, representing thousands of nationwide banks. In recognition of his fifty years of service to the banking industry, he was inducted into the Minnesota Bankers Association Pioneer Club in 2003.
In addition to his career, Richard was active in his community. For 22 years, he served as choir director at Glenwood Lutheran Church, where he also taught Sunday school, served as a Deacon, and led Bethel Bible Study. In 1964, the Glenwood Jaycees awarded him the Distinguished Service Award as Young Man of the Year. In 2014, the Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2024, he was named a lifetime member of American Legion Post 187.
His involvement extended to many other organizations. He served several terms on the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He chaired the Glenwood Economic Development Corporation, served as Commander of American Legion Post 187, and was the first chairman of the Glacial Ridge Hospital District. Richard also worked with the District 4 Boy Scout Committee. In 1985, he helped establish the West Central Initiative Fund and later served as its regional chairman. For 20 years, he served as a judge for the Waterama Marching Band Contest. He was also a proud and active member of the Sons of Norway.
Richard loved to travel. He and Lorraine visited many places around the world and later spent winters in Mississippi at "Kate's Condo," affectionately named after their dog, Kate. Richard had a special fondness for dogs, and many will remember seeing him at the golf course with his dog riding alongside in the cart.
He was also passionate about golf and was a skilled player who won many area weekend tournaments, including the State American Legion Tournament and several Minnewaska Golf Club Championships. He served as President and board member of the Minnewaska Golf Club and remained a lifelong member.
Time with family was important to Richard. He often shared his love of golfing, hunting, and fishing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Whether it was a holiday gathering, a round of golf, or a day spent outdoors, he appreciated the time spent together.
Richard passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Glenwood Retirement Village. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lorraine; his children: Erick (Ruth) of Glenwood, John (Sonia) of Villard, and Kristin (Tom) Goracke of Starbuck; his grandchildren: Matthew, Sarah, Ryan (Lacey) Gandrud; Rachel (Ben) Sayles; Samuel (Emily) Goracke; and Andrew; and his great-grandchildren: Elle, Henry, Arlo, Elin, Eila, Bode, Rowan, Oliver, Avery, and Maverick. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elvin and Ada Gandrud, and his sisters, Gaile Stinson and Ann Jacobson.
Richard Elvin Gandrud's life reflected a steady commitment to his family, profession, and community. All who knew him will remember his example of integrity, leadership, and service.
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