Rev. Michael Richmond Sr., age 70, of Stanchfield died February 23, 2010 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 27th at St. Louis Park Evangelical Free Church, 6805 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN. Visitation with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred.
Rev. Michael William Richmond, Sr., age 70, of Stanchfield, MN, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
Mike was born in Waterloo, Iowa on June 8, 1939 to William and Myra Richmond. Most of his young years were lived in North Minneapolis. On September 6, 1958 he married Gail Lundquist and they began their life together in South Minneapolis. Mike spent most of his working years self employed in sales and service. At age 55 he started a new journey and entered Bethel Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity Degree in 2000. During that time, and in the ensuing years of continued seminary study toward a Doctor of Ministry Degree, Mike worked as pastor with various church congregations. Between 1997-2009, Mike was called to minister several Minnesota churches located in Lakeland, Lake Elmo, Benson, Maynard, Cook, West St. Paul, Worthington and twice in St. Louis Park. God encouraged him to use his life’s experiences, successes and failures, to help church leaders who might be working through church conflicts and in need of a pastor gifted in administration. Mike will be sadly missed, but his earthly struggle with cancer is over and now he is with his Heavenly Father in all the glory that Heaven has to offer. We are forever grateful to friends, Roger and Gail, for leading us to a personal relationship with Jesus so many years ago, a decision that empowered Mike to eventually have a ministry to share with those in need.
Mike is survived by his wife, Gail, four children; Michael (Sue), Patricia, Scott (Kayla) and Charles (Ruth), six grandchildren, Rachel, Briana, Caitlin, Quinn, Hunter and Taelin, as well as his mother, Myra Norholm, brothers, Kristian (Mary), Jack and sisters, Randi (Edward) and Shelley (Jerry). Family members who have preceded Mike in death are his father, William, step-father (Kristian Norholm) and his sister, Marlene Henk.
JR, SUE AND FAMILY,
MY SINCERE SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND FRIEND. I DID NOT KNOW HIM WELL, BUT THE FEW TIMES I HAD MET HIM I ENJOYED TALKING WITH HIM.
HE IS NOW IN A BETTER PLACE WITHOUT PAIN.
MY HUGS TO YOU ALL!
MAGGIE WITTENBERG ALONG WITH MY FRIEND GORDY ANDERSON.
Gail and family please accept our sincere condolances for the loss of your husband, father, grandpa…We are thinking about you and remembering the times we spent with Mike and the love that both of you have shown our family. Mike was a dynamo for his Lord and his life was a blessing to a lot of people including mine. Praise the Father for his life and service. In loving memory Bonnie and Jeff
Gail and Family,
What a beautifully written obituary and a testimony for all who read it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of Pastor Mike but we also rejoice with you that he has left a world of pain to a place at the feet of Jesus. How great is our God!
Richmond family – I am friends with Chuck and Ruth – my deepest sympathy to all of you during this time. I wish I had the chance to meet and know Rev Richmond – everything I have heard was that he was a strong man who loved to serve! He lived an amazing life and I am sure he touched more than you will ever know. He is now in a place of peace and joy. My prayers are with all of you during this time of loss – may you all remember his amazing life! Mary Beth
I loved Mike! I love all of you!
Dear Gail and family, we are sad for you but, happy for Mike at his new address Heaven We have such fond memories of Mike and Gail “our neighbor’s in on 5th Ave. in Cambridge”. Remember Schotzie, the barking dog,across the street, Gail? Love to you, Karyn and Dick