To view the plants and flowers from Buck’s service, access: Richard Stanley Flower Pictures
Richard ‘Buck’ Stanley, 95, Minot, died Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in a Minot hospital.
Richard Ludwig ‘Buck’ Stanley was born July 19, 1928 in Mandan, ND, the son of Ann (Molner) Stanley. He was raised and educated in Mandan and graduated from Mandan High School in 1946.
Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served his country from July of 1946 to May of 1948. He then started his studies at the Forestry School in Bottineau until he re-enlisted in October of 1950. He served until his honorable discharge in September of 1951. Following his discharge, he returned to North Dakota and continued his schooling in Bottineau, receiving a Forestry and Horticulture degree.
Richard was united in marriage to the love of his life Frances Sather on November 27, 1953 in Bottineau. They made their home in Williston, ND where he was a business partner in a floral shop until 1958. He was then employed at the Williston Country Club as groundskeeper.
Richard and Frances moved to Minot in 1969 where he worked in civil service at the Minot Air Force Base. He was the first groundskeeper of the Roughrider Golf Course and later employed as a ground’s foreman at the Minot Air Force Base until his retirement in 1989.
Frances died on March 2, 2016. He continued to reside in Minot.
Richard is a past member of Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot where he served on the council, as a eucharistic minister and lector. He is a current member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. Richard was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Loyal Order of Moose and American Legion, all of Minot. He was a foundational part of the Minot Hockey Program for many years and was honored in 2004, as an inductee into the Minot Hockey Boosters Hall of Fame.
Richard enjoyed spending time at their lake home at Lake Metigoshe, especially when the whole family could be together. He loved hunting and fishing, woodworking, and sports, but above all, his greatest joy was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We will miss the gift of his big warm hugs, mountain moving strength and unwavering faith in God. He remained devoted to his wife after she was called to our Lord with daily visits to her grave. He would spend hours sitting in the sun, beer in hand, sharing his day with her. He was our hero and an extraordinary dad who left us with memories that we will forever treasure.
Richard’s loving family includes his children: Annette (Phil) Stach, David (Melissa) Stanley, and Michelle (William Jr.) Bliven, all of Minot; grandchildren: Kristen (Dylan Wiesz) Bliven, Alicia (Andrew) Crosby, Aaron Bliven, Taylor (Jessica Anderson) Bliven, Jacques Stanley, Jake (Molly Frueh) Stach, all of Minot, ND, Emmalee (Luke) Sabol, Fargo, ND and Blaise (McKenna Thiessen) Stanley, Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren Abel and Alayna Crosby and Emryn Sabol; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother Ann, loving wife Frances and sister Margaret Olson.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2024, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot
Recitation of the Rosary and Vigil Prayer Service: 3:15 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday May 5, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are preferred to the family for charitable designation.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Richard L. Stanley, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
