A memorial service for Richard “Dick” Spande will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Mark Niethammer will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Home in Albert Lea, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com.

Dick passed away surrounded by his family Friday, July 3, 2015, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was 70.

Richard Earl Spande was born Sept. 21, 1944, to Earl and Linda (Richards) Spande in Caledonia. He grew up in Mabel and graduated from Mabel High School in 1962. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1966 and continued his education at Luther Seminary, graduating in 1970.

On June 16, 1967, he was united in marriage to Beth (Olson) in Mankato. The couple was blessed with two sons, Peter and Nathan.

Dick dedicated his life to serving others. He began his career in ministry at Round Prairie and Lunder Lutheran churches in rural Glenville. After serving St. John Lutheran in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and First Lutheran in Ellendale, he served Ascension Lutheran in Albert Lea for over 17 years. He finished his career in parish ministry by being interim pastor for Redeemer Lutheran in Alden, Central and East Freeborn, Hayward Lutheran Church and Trondheim Lutheran Church. He also served as the hospice chaplain for the last 25 years.

Dick was very active in the community and enjoyed volunteering his time. He was a member of the Lions Club in Ellendale and Albert Lea, a volunteer EMT in Ellendale and he was teaching Parents Forever classes in Albert Lea. He enjoyed participating in Readers’ Theater in the elementary schools and was a member of his Blue Zones’ neighborhood sitting moai.

Dick was a very talented craftsman. He loved woodworking projects, large and small. Dick found serenity in his vegetable garden. He also enjoyed biking and cross country skiing, walking with his wife and always liked to keep up on current events through the newspaper or radio. Dick had a great sense of humor and a contagious personality. He always thought of others before himself, and was always there to lend a hand. Dick had a special connection with children, many of them remembering his children’s sermons on “Ole Posthole and Matilda McGillicutty.” Dick was a family man who cherished every minute he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Linda.

Dick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Beth, of Albert Lea; sons Peter Spande and wife, Melissa Fazzari, of Centerport, New York, and Nathan and Jennifer Spande of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; grandchildren Julia, Ellie and Ben Spande; siblings Jane Spande and husband, David Field, of Cedar Rapids and David Spande and wife, Robin, of Owatonna; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Lutheran Disaster Response, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631.