Funeral services for Richard B. Spilde, age 81, of Albert Lea, will be held on Monday, Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Wayne Halvorson will officiate. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Freeborn County Servicemen’s Organization. Visitation will be today from 4-6 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Richard died suddenly on Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester surrounded by his family and special friend.

Richard B. Spilde was born on Dec. 2, 1921, in Northwood, Iowa the son of Laur and Emma (Jensen) Spilde. He was baptized at the Shell Rock Lutheran Church, Northwood and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. He attended grade school in Worth County, Iowa and later in Freeborn County and Our Savior’s Lutheran School.

Richard worked at Wilson’s for a short time and then enlisted in the U.S. Army serving from Aug. 11, 1942 until his discharge on Oct. 26, 1945.

While serving his country, Richard served overseas in the Western Pacific. After his discharge he attended Dunwoody Institute in the automobile mechanic program. Richard then began his career as a auto mechanic at Olson’s Motor, later becoming Motor Inn. He retired in the mid 1980s.

Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a member of the VFW and the American Legion and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Richard is survived by his sister, Ruth and husband Emery Hovland of Austin; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and Richard’s special friend, Virginia Thompson of Northwood, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Orville and Roger; and sisters, Alice Wolff and Irene Miller.

Richard was a very special uncles to all of his nieces and nephews and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.