Richard "Dick" Verheul

Richard "Dick" Verheul, 83, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO, after a short illness.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Private inurnment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

Richard Martin Verheul was born on December 19, 1941, to George and Viola (VanHout) Verheul in Ortonville, MN. He was baptized in the Catholic Church, confirmed at the Congregational Church in Ortonville, and graduated from Ortonville High School in 1959.

Dick enlisted in the U. S. Navy on August 19, 1959. His mother had to accompany him to the recruitment center to give her permission as he had yet to turn eighteen. He did his basic training and electronics school at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and volunteered for submarine school. Dick began his Navy career on the USS Volador (SS-490), a diesel submarine, and ended it on the USS Flasher (SSN-613), a nuclear submarine. After 11 years in the Navy, Dick retired on December 22, 1970, as an ETC (SS) Chief Petty Officer.

In January of 1971, Dick met Rita Johnson, and they were married six months later in Minneapolis, MN, making their home there. In 1972, after attending Control Data Institute for a refresher course in "civilian" electronics, Dick was hired by Digital Equipment Corporation "DEC" as a Field Service Technician. Thirty years later, in 2002, he retired to spend more time at the lake.

Dick and Rita welcomed their only child, Matthew, on September 29, 1975. In 1980, Dick was transferred to Sioux Falls, SD, to open a DEC office. They joined Peace Lutheran Church in west Sioux Falls. The friends they met there became their core social circle and many are still in their lives today. In 2006, Dick and Rita moved back to Ortonville and Big Stone Lake and joined First English Lutheran, Rita's home church.

Dick was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. Dick, Rita, and Matt took many road trips while Matt was growing up. In retirement, Dick and Rita enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, and the Panama Canal. Dick was always there for Matt, patiently answering his questions, imparting his knowledge, and teaching him "life lessons". They spent many hours rebuilding four cars in the garage on 34th Street in Sioux Falls during Matt's high school and college days. As a grandfather, he was on top of his game; Boden and "Papa" spent many hours together during the winter months since Boden was born in 2011. They built countless Lego creations and a gingerbread house every Christmas. Dick watched for hours while Boden tried to perfect new tricks on his skateboard and bike. They watched YouTube together after school. Dick proudly watched Boden's hockey games. Boden was everything to Papa.

Dick could fix anything, and if he got stumped he would research for hours until he figured it out. No matter if it was an electrical or plumbing problem, a lawnmower or jet ski or a computer. He was everyone's "Mr. Fixit". He was also the guy everyone would want on their "Trivia" team.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Rita Verheul of Ortonville, MN; sons: David and Dean Verheul of Nashville, TN (from a prior marriage) and Matt (Taylor) of Glenwood Springs, CO; grandson, Boden of Glenwood Springs, CO; siblings: Donald (Carolyn) Verheul of Ortonville, MN; Sue Hanratty of Ortonville, MN; Tom (Ruth) Verheul of DuBois, WY; and Sally (Jim) Tyler of Haydn, CO; Aunt Diane (Vince) Kvidera of Ortonville, MN; many cousins, nieces and nephews; his beloved granddog, Arthur; and all of Rita's family.

Dick was preceded in death by infant daughter, Valerie Verheul (from a prior marriage); his parents: George and Viola (VanHout) Verheul; stepfather, H.V. "Gene" Hansen; parents-in-law: Alvin Johnson and Helen (Bonk) Johnson; brothers-in-law: Dan Hanratty, Jim Johnson and Walt Freiberg; nephew, Mark Verheul; and grand-niece, Ella Schlup.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick's name may be given to: 

Big Stone County Cancer Support Group, PO Box 213, Ortonville, MN 56278

Friends of the Ortonville Library, 412 NW 2nd Street, Ortonville, MN 56278