Services for Richard Duane Vinje
Mon, 05/09/2022 - 1:12pm
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Richard Duane Vinje, 87, of Gonvick, Minnesota died on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick, Minnesota with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will be held at Samhold Lutheran Cemetery in Gonvick, MN. Military rites will be accorded by the Gonvick American Legion post No. 304. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Richard was born in Gonvick, MN on December 11, 1934, the only son of Sven Oscar and Christine (Bakkum) Vinje. He grew up in Gonvick area and graduated from Gonvick High School in 1953 before attending school to learn to be a bus mechanic. Over the years, Richard worked at the gas station, hauled lefse, drove semi, made Scandinavian furniture in Florida, and worked at Marvin Windows. Throughout all his work endeavors, he was a farmer, starting on his family’s farm, working at Worrel’s in Montana, and coming back to farm in Gonvick.
On September 26, 1959, Richard married the love of his life, Charlene Kay Kokkeby in Gonvick. Together they made a home, wherever Richard’s wandering feet lead them throughout the United States, but always coming back to Gonvick. For a time, starting in 1976, they owned “The Clubhouse” in Gonvick, a high light for them both together. Richard also had the honor of being appointed town cop for about a year after the Gonvick of the time retired, until a permanent replacement was hired.
Richard always was helping people, whether it was giving people rides in his car (one of the very first cars in Gonvick) or helping plow at the Lefse factory and others’ driveways. He lived for a good joke and loved to make people laugh. He always had a twinkle in his eye, and you could tell he was up to something. Richard loved Westerns and playing cards, from cribbage to solitaire. He had a fondness for his garden, and especially loved growing tomatoes. He could be seen around town in Gonvick, especially at the café in the morning at the round table, getting a cup of coffee with the guys. Richard had a strong faith, and was a proud member of the Gonvick Legion, Lions Club, and the Volunteer Fire Department. He was very intelligent and became a bit of a town historian, and always had a story to tell.
Richard is survived by his daughter, Tammy (Mike Olson) Rice; his daughter-in-law, Jeane Vinje; his grandchildren, Bennie (Amber) Rice, Quill Vinje, and Erik Vinje; his great grandchild, Joseph; and many cousins and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Kay Vinje; his son, Rick Vinje; and his parents, Oscar and Christine Vinje; and his special friend, Ariel Larson.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
