Richard A. Taylor

Richard went home to God on Sunday, December 11, 2016, while in hospice care at his home, after a battle of cancer. Memorial will be held Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell, Iowa. Military rites will be conducted by the Newell American Legion Post #193. Visitation will take place Friday, December 16, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his honor. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Richard Arthur Taylor was born May 4, 1949, in Worthington, Minnesota, to Wallace and Phyllis (Morris) Taylor. He was the first grandchild of grandparents Roy and Marie (Donaldson) Morris and Arthur and Lily (Daughtery) Taylor. All were delighted. Richard was joined by Allen, Susan, and David. They were a warm and loving family. Richard grew up in the Storm Lake and Newell, Iowa area. Richard was very much a shepherd at heart. He loved working around and caring for animals. He enjoyed raising livestock and his gardens. He attended elementary at Hayes Consolidated and Storm Lake Jr. High. After graduating from Newell Providence High School, where he played football, and was also a member of FFA, he enlisted in the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he was a member of the first crew to service on the first Poseidon Class Nuclear Submarine, the USS James Madison. He received Presidential Commendation for his service. Returning home from the sea, Richard as introduced to Bonnie Meyer by his cousin, Greg Drzycimski. What a wonderful match it was! Richard and Bonnie were married on September 1, 1973, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hartley, Iowa. Richard and Bonnie settled in Storm Lake, Iowa, where they welcomed a son, Jason. They longed for the country life so the hunt for an acreage began. They found a fixer upper. They fixed it up and it became a home where they welcomed their daughter, Ann. So began the joys and wonders of family life in the country. During those years, Richard worked for Hygrade in Storm Lake for 12 years. Don’s Farm Supply of Newell became his home away from home for 33 years until he retired on July 2015. Richard enjoyed working at Don’s getting to meet and know many wonderful people, which was a perk of his work. Richard was a man of faith who enjoyed attending St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Newell and First Lutheran Church in Fonda, Iowa. Richard enjoyed studying the Bible, listening to the Christian radio station, as well as discussing religion with family and friends. Those who will cherish his memory are his wife of 43 years, Bonnie of Newell, Iowa; son, Jason (Angela) Taylor and their children: Robert, Emma, and Grace of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Ann (Brian) Wise and their children: Cole and Corinne of Newell, Iowa; mother, Phyllis Taylor; brothers: Allen (Marilee) Taylor and David (Andrea) Taylor; sister, Susan (John) Marshall; sisters-in-law: Marlene (Roger) Duhn and Julie (James) Swenson; as well as a large and loving extended family. May God grant comfort and peace to all. Richard is preceded in death by his father, Wallace Taylor; mother-in-law, Pauline (Braunschweig) Meyer; and father-in-law, Marvin Meyer. Richard’s smile and joy of being will be deeply missed as well as his ability to show the love of Christ to all. May he rest in peace and see the face of God. Richard sent messages to us all. I lived like it was an adventure! The greatest love and joy are being surrounded by family, watching them bond and grow. They are my legacy, the true joy of my heart.

Richard A. Taylor

May 4, 1949 - December 11, 2016