J ohn Warren Richardson Jr, age 72, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away peacefully due to cancer , in the presence of his family , at his home , on Saturday, March 28, 2020. He was a former resident of Shakopee, Prior Lake, New Prague, and Union Hill communities.
A time of gathering will be held only on Sunday, July 26, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN. A Memorial Service only will be on Monday, July 27 at 11 am, Most Holy Trinity Church, 4939 Washington St N, Veseli. Father John Lapensky will preside. John will be laid to rest at St Michael Catholic Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Prior Lake VFW Honor Guard. Masks will be required at all services and social distancing maintained.
On June 12, 1947, in Shakopee, MN, John was born to John Sr and Lucille ( Seidow ) Richardson. The second of four children , he grew up in Shakopee with siblings, Judy, Mike, and Mar y Ellen . John’s father built a home close to the M N W omen’s R eformatory , which gave the family some interesting encounters with the prisoners. He attended school through the eleventh grade and worked various jobs.
In August of 1966, John proposed to the love of his life, Darlene Borka . That same month, he drafted into the United States Army. On September 21, 1966, John reported to duty and served one – year in Fo rt Hood, T X . Returning home on furlough, he and Darlene tied the knot on August 26, 1967, at St. Michael Catholic Church, in Prior Lake. Five days later, John was sent into battle for the next year in Northern Vietnam . He did what his country asked of him. John became a sharpshooter and encounter a lot of suffering and devastation. Committed and dedicated, he received 2 purple hearts and a medal of valor . John was a lifetime member of the Prior Lake V.F.W.
John returned home to hold his three-month daughter, Dawn in his arms for the first time . In the coming years, h e and Darlene welcomed three sons, John III, James, and Jeffrey. In 1973, the Richardson family finally settled down in Prior Lake. John passed on his love of hunting and fishing to his children. H e taught them how to shoot well , load shells and the correct style in catching that perfect fish . John and Darlene even competed against eac h other in a couples sporting clays league, at the MN Horse and Hunt Club.
For 42 years, John worked at Continental Grain (and later sold to Cargill) , in Savage, MN , pro bing grain truck s. He loved his job and was well respected ! John relished passing out candy to the kids and treats to the dogs . When he and Darlene would go camping throughout Minnesota, John likely would encounter a truck driver saying, “Hi John! How are you?” At the age of 67, he retired.
John loved hunting and fishing. You could tell what season it was by looking in his truck . John loved his toys, especially the boat, four-wheeler and his pride and joy … the custom painted Jack Roush Ford Mustang . John loved taking Darlene out in the Mustang on late summers nights in search of an ice cream cone. They loved taking the motorhome camping, particular to Fairmont to Dawson ’s Lakeside Campground . The motorhome was filled most weekends with family. In John’s spare time, he spent countless hours making the perfect fishing rod and lures. John enjoyed watching TV, especially hunting and fishing shows and on weekends NASCAR . He was an avid Dale Earnhardt Sr . and Dale J r. fan.
John always put his family first. He was their protector and guider . John had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. He was a proud man, determined and strong willed. John demonstrated by example of how to be a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa.
Forever loved by wife of almost 53 years, Darlene; children, Dawn (Kurt) Sadler, John (Jen) R i chardson III , James (Tina) Richardson , Jeffrey (Kelly) Richardson ; grandchildren, Jenna Sadler, Reagan Sadler, Aleica , Amanda , Alissa, Autumn, Hunter ; great grandchildren, Br eanna , Kylie ; sisters, Judy Staven , Mary Ellen (Karl) Bridgema n ; niece , Anna; nephews , Seth, Matthew; many loving relatives and devoted friends.
There greeting John home in heaven are his parents , John, and Lucille ; brother, Mike ; parents- in-law Norbert and Lorraine Borka and other beloved family members
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Richardson family.
