Richard J. Von Bank

Richard J. Von Bank, age 93, of New Prague, MN and formerly of Jordan, MN, entered eternal life on Sunday, October 27, 2024. 

A time of gathering will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan and on Thursday, October 31, from 10-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 East Second Street, Jordan. 

Guests may also join the mass by visiting https://sjbjordan.org and clicking on the live stream tab. 

Fr. Neil Bakker will preside. Richard will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard

Richard John was born on the family farm in rural Jordan on the shortest day of the year December 21, 1930. He was the oldest of three children to Alois and Agnes (Scheffler) Von Bank. Rich proudly served in the United States Army, from 1952-1954, where he was stationed in Alaska. For decades, Rich honored his fellow comrades providing military honors with the Jordan Vets Honor Guard. He also was a member of the New Prague American Legion. 

Returning from the service, Rich married Marcella "Marcy" Margaret Pass on June 29, 1955, at the Church of St. Mary in Shakopee, MN. They settled down on a farm just down the road from where his parents lived. Here, Rich and Marcy raised five children, Bruce, Brenda, Bridget, Brian and Todd. As a couple, they worked side by side tending to the daily chores on the farm, along with their children. As time went on, Rich accepted a position with Minnesota Rubber Industries. Over the next 25 plus years, he drove to St Louis Park, MN every day, while still raising cattle, chickens, hogs and crop farming. 

Rich’s hands were always busy, butchering animals or mastering the grill and smoker. His specialty was smoked turkeys and his famous pig roasts. It didn’t matter about the selection of meat; Rich had the perfect recipe. He had a deep love for music. Rich too enjoyed playing old time music on the accordion. Through the years, he was proud of carrying on his father’s tradition of traveling to threshing bees with Al’s drag saw. Rich especially loved participating in the Scott Carver Threshers running the drag saw or driving one of his tractors in the parade. 

Rich and Marcy lived a simple life. They enjoyed camping with family and great friends at Howard Lake, MN and later at Lexington, MN. Rich loved to entertain and have the whole family over and cooking for everyone. He was extremely proud of becoming grandpa and great grandpa and watching them grow. In 2004, Rich and Marcy sold the farm to their son Brian and moved to New Prague, MN, where they enjoyed an even simpler life. Even thou their husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa is now longer by their side, it will be his generous and caring heart, his hardworking ethics and commitment to family will continue in those he loved the most.

Rich will be forever loved by his wife, Marcy Von Bank; children, Bruce (Jan) Von Bank, Brenda Stocker, Bridget (Mark) Kubes, Brian (Jean) Von Bank, Todd (Becky) Von Bank; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brother, Duane Von Bank; other relatives and friends.

Greeting him home in eternal peace are his parents; sister, Rose Ann (Ed) Menden; sister-in-law, Kathi Von Bank and nephew, Jesse Von Bank.